South America Wines Checked

Question 1

Malbec General

Answer 1

Deep Color, Full Body, High levels of smooth Tannins

Blackberry, Black Plum

Oak used for High Quality Malbecs Spicey - Vanilla/Clove

Blends with CabSav, Merlot, CabFranc, Petit Verdot

Newer Style - More elegant, Using gentler methods of extraction

Question 2

Lower Altitude Malbec

vs

Higher Altitude Malbec

Answer 2

Lower altitude = fuller bodied with richer black fruit

Higher altitude = more elegant, displaying fresher more floral aromas

Question 3

Bonarda

Answer 3

2nd most planted Argentinian variety (Mendoza & San Juan)

Late ripening

Deep Color, High Acidity, High Tannin

Higher yields: Med-Deep Color, Fruity Raspberry & BlackBerry

Low Yields: Greater Concentration & Structure

Question 4

Argentinian Premium Reds / Traits

Answer 4

CabSav, Syrah, Merlot, (smaller Tempranillo & Pinot Noir)

Concentrated Ripe Fruit, Usually Toasty Notes from Oak

Question 5

Torrontrés

Answer 5

Signature white varietal (Salta, La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza) - Best Cafayate

Aromatic, Medium Body, Medium Acidity

Intense, Fruity, Floral Perfume

Stone Fruits & Melon

Inert vessels, temp controlled to capture aromatics

Question 6

Argentinian Chardonnay

Answer 6

Premium are matured in oak (portion is new Oak)

Question 7

Pedro Gimenez

Answer 7

Argentina’s widest planted grape

Traditional & low-quality

Used in cheap wines for domestic market

Now in decline

Question 8

Chilean CabSav Style

Answer 8

A variety from simple and fruity to full-bodied premium example

Premium - Usually with Very Ripe Black fruit aromas and flavours, often with a Herbaceous character

Blends - Merlot, Carmenère, Syrah

Question 9

Chilean Merlot

Answer 9

Inexpensive, medium-bodied and fruity (has been very successful on export markets)

Spicy, Green Pepper

Fuller-bodied and complex is also found

Often blended with Carmenere

Question 10

Carmenère

Answer 10

Late ripening, successful in most warm, sunny conditions

Full-bodied, Med-High Acidity, High Tannins

Overtly Herbaceous when not fully ripe

Good examples achieve a balance between Blackberry fruit (Blackberry) and Herbal (Eucalyptus) aromas, Oak (Chocolate and Coffee)

Signature Chilean wine often blended with Merlot

Question 11

Chilean Syrah Hot

Answer 11

Greater intensity of Black Fruit flavours
Fuller body

Colchagua Valley (San Antonio)

Question 12

Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys Wines

Answer 12

Cooler Vineyards

Excellent wines with High Acidity and Intense Fruity flavours

Occasional Herbaceous notes

Some have additional richness and texture from lees-stirring and oak

Question 13

Chilean Chardonnay

Answer 13

Modern International Style

Ripe Fruit (Citrus & Apple) & Oak for Toast and Caramel

Question 14

Pisco Brandy

Answer 14

Chilean use Muscat of Alexandria 3rd most planted

Question 15

Maipo Valley Cabernet Savignon

Answer 15

Med-Full Body, High Acid, High Tannin

Herbal, Herbaceous, Blackfruit

Know for Mint Flavors

Question 16

Maule Valley

Answer 16

Carignan

Full Body, Intensely Concentrated

Low yielding bush

Cooler region in Central Valley (Higher Acidity good for blending)

Using Dry-farmed old vines

Question 17

País

Answer 17

Planted in Itata Valley

Bío Bío Valley

Historic grape grown in old, unirrigated plots.

Question 18

Leyda Valley Wines

Answer 18

Sauvignon Blanc has gained a reputation here within San Antonio Valley

Chardonnay is widely planted making fine wines

Pinot Noir most widely planted black grape - Red Berry Fruity with Herbal notes (helped by cool sites)

Question 19

Casablanca Valley Syrah

Answer 19

Planted in warmer sites in east

Well-structured with Peppery edge

Question 20

Curicó Valley Wines

Answer 20

Retain higher acidity (useful for blends)

Seeking to exploit dry-farmed, old vines

Carigan has become a star - Full Bodied, Intensely Concentrated wines from ancient vines

Question 21

Malleco

Answer 21

Smallest and most Southern subregion producing Chardonnay and Pinot.

Premium Producers are starting production