Week 4 - Chile Flashcards

George Brown Continuing Education - Australia, NZ, SA, Chile and Argentina Wines (73 cards)

1
Q

Name the 4 wine regions in Chile

A
  1. Coquimbo
  2. Aconcagua
  3. Central
  4. Southern
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2
Q

Name the 3 wine areas in Coquimbo.

A
  1. Elqui Valley
  2. Limari Valley
  3. Choapa Valley
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3
Q

Name the 4 regions in Aconcagua.

A
  1. Aconcagua Valley
  2. Casa Blanca Valley
  3. San Antonio Valley
  4. Leyda Valley
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4
Q

Name the 5 regions of the Central Valley

A
  1. Maipo Valley
  2. Cachapoal Valley (31,000ha)
  3. Colchagua Valley (na)
  4. Curico Valley (19,000ha)
  5. Maule Valley (29,000ha)
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5
Q

Describe the geography of the Central Valley Region.

A
  1. Santiago to Itata
  2. Vast, warm, flat
  3. Majority of vineyards here
  4. Grapes ripen easily
  5. High production based on cheap fruity Merlot and Chard
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6
Q

Name 2 regions in the Southern Region.

A
  1. Bio Bio
  2. Itata
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7
Q

Describe the wine regions of Chile.

A
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8
Q

Describe the geography of Chile.

A

4,300 km long
900km north to south, but only 100km wide
80/% of land mountainous
Isolated from rest of the world

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9
Q

Is Chile phylloxera free?

A

Yes. So very isolated area.

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10
Q

Name 2 areas that are free of phylloxera.

A

Barossa Valley
Chile

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11
Q

When did wine exports begin in Chile?

A

1980’s: wine exported
2000’s: Miguel Torres introduces modern technology
2000’s: Value wines
Now: developing reputation for high-quality wines

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12
Q

Describe the shift in quality of Chilean wine being served in restaurants.

A

History of value driven: inexpensive housewines served “by the glass options”
Now: talented winemakers moving to Chile making good wines; restaurants now serving quality

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13
Q

How are winemakers gaining a deeper understanding of Chile?

A

Winemakers have a better understanding of Chilean terroir, thus allowing them tremendous success in cool climates along coast and in Andes foothills

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14
Q

What is Chile’s Mission Statement?

A

“To establish Chile as the most
impressive and dynamic source of premium quality New World wines.”

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15
Q

In what years did vineyards double?

A

1993-2003

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16
Q

What is emphasized more: wines made in the vineyard or the winery?

A

Vineyard

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17
Q

What aspects of viticulture are grapegrowers focussing on? What is the goal of doing this?

A
  1. Vine management
  2. Clonal selection
  3. Irrigation
    Goal is to improve quality.
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18
Q

What kinds of wine is Chile known for?

A

Lean and fruit forward Bordeaux Blends.

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19
Q

Describe the overall climate of Chile.

A

Multi-Climate Mediterrean region.

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20
Q

Describe the climate of Coastal Chile.

A
  1. Cool climate
  2. Moderated by Humboldt current
  3. Morning Fog
  4. Prominent wines
    Saline, citrus driven whites
    Pinot Noir
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21
Q

Describe the climate of the Entre Cordilleras.

A
  1. Warm Climate
  2. Inland from coast but below elevation of the Andes
  3. Bordeaux varietals with red fruit and elevated acidity
  4. Extreme diurnal shifts
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22
Q

Describe the climate of Chile’s Andes.

A
  1. Warm Climate
  2. Higher elevation vineyards in the
    foothills of the Andes
  3. Ripe fruit
  4. Primarily reds
  5. Elevated acidity
  6. Bigger structure
  7. Elevated tannins
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23
Q

Describe Chile’s appelation system.

A

Denominacion de Origen (DO)
* Some wineries are following but most don’t indicate
* Gaining momentum with increased focus on quality– greater need for higher price points
* Vintage Reserva means nothing but must display place of origin

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24
Q

What are the labelling requirements regarding listed varietals?

A

Wines must contain 75% of stated grape and region

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25
What does VIGNO stand for?
VIGNO (2010) – sub system * Vignadores de Carignan * The first true Chilean appellation = old vine Carignan only * Maule Valley * Name is derived from vino, the Spanish word for wine, combined with the “G” from Carignan
26
Who created VIGNO?
Unique collective collaboration, combining both small and large Maule producers under a unified market vision
27
What is the aim of VIGNO?
Raise the bar to making quality wines for the participating wineries.
28
Name the 3 main types of Chile's regions.
1. Costa 2. Entre Cordillera 3. Andes
29
Name an excellent Chilean vintage.
2020
30
What is Chile's core white variety?
SB
31
Describe a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile
1. Citrus and tropical flavors with 2. Underlying salinity Mineral-driven styles akin to France’s Loire Valley * Atacama * Limari * Maule Fruit-forward style (like SB in SA) * Colchagua, * Casablanca * Leyda valleys
32
How does Wine Folly describe a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc?
1. High aromatic 2. Zippy acidity 3. Citrus: pink grapefruit 4. Stone: white peach 5. Herbacious: green pea, lemon grass 6. Other: freshly wetted concrete
33
What was originally planted instead of Sauvignon Blanc?
SB was actually Sauvignonasse, aka * Sauvignon Vert * Tocai Friulan Real SB now planted: quality / demand is rising
34
Where is the the best SB grown in Chile?
Aconcagua - all four areas 1. Casablanca Valley with Char 2. San Antonio Valley with Char 3. Leyda Valley with Char 4. Alconcagua Valley - intriguing Coquimbo 1. Elqui: small, sun-protected steep valleys
35
How much SB is planted?
Second most planted variety 35,000 acres in Central and Coastal regions
36
Is SB from Chile closer to Hawke's Bay or Sancerre?
Chile SB is a mix of both
37
What is the flavour profile of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon?
1. Floral: violets 2. Black fruit: ripe black cherry 3. Herbacious: capsicum 4. Oak: baking spices
38
What is the difference between mint and eucalyptus?
Mint: sweet Eucalyptus: medicinal
39
How much CS is planted in Chile?
CS: most planted variety
40
What is Chile's niche grape?
Carmenère
41
Describe the climate of Elqui and Limari Valley
Arid: less than 1 inch of rainfall a year * Lack of water is a challenge * Irrigation essential but expensive Day-to-night temperature shift is about 60ºF/16.1ºC (unique on earth) Brillian sunshine, marked cooling influences, high altitude, some vineyards at high altitudes
42
What wines are made in Elqui Valley?
1. **SB - slightly richer, creamier style** 2. Chardonnay 3. Syrah - dense yet light Lesser: **PX**, Muscat
43
Describe the 3 climate zones in the Elqui Valley.
COASTAL: with morning fog and less extreme temperature shifts MID VALLEY: with large temperature swings (this is also called diurnal shift) and 330 days of sun a year ANDES: with high elevation vineyards, up to 7000 feet (2133 m)
44
What wines are made in Limari Valley?
1. SB - slightly richer, creamier style 2.** Chardonnay** 3. Syrah - dense yet light Lesser: **PN**, Muscat
45
Name 3 top producers in the Elqui and Limari Valleys.
Mayu– Italian winemaker making range of styles Tabali– top level producer for Pinot Noir and Chard Maycas del Limari– coastal outpost for Concha Y Toro
46
What grapes are grown in the Acongua Valley?
WSET3: CS, Syrah, Carmenère PN, SB, Char
47
Describe the climate of the Aconcagua Valley
Steep sided, narrow, some cooling from ocean and Andes One of the hottiest, driest regions in Chile Pioneered Syrah North of Santiago
48
What are the recommended wines of Ancongua?
Syrah and other red blends
49
Name some top producers from Aconcagua.
**Errazuriz**– large historic estate with modern vision. Rich mountain reds with cooler coastal whites.
50
Describe Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys.
First vines in 1982 (Concha y Toro) Similar to Carneros in California with a cool marine influence – morning fogs PN, Char and **SB** * Syrah and Merlot recently added Casablanca: excellent SB and PN
51
Describe the Leyda Valley
Relatively new DO: established reputation for high-quality wines * SB, Pinot Noir, Syrah
52
Describe a SB from Leyda or Casablanca.
Citrus: lime Tropical: honeydew Herbal notes Other: chalk, salinity, smoke Closer (in style) to Loire than NZ: * Less sweet fruit * Leaner, more crystalline structure
53
Describe Maipo Valley's geography
The valley follows the Maipo river valley to the south of Santiago out to the Pacific Ocean Receives cooling winds from the ocean and has a much more Mediterranean climate. Sandy soils with gravel top soils Napa Valley of Chile – most famous Most bodegas HQ
54
What are the most important parts of the Maipo Valley?
Alto Maipo are at the base of the Andes Towns: Pirque and Puente Alto Full-bodied red blends like CS from Napa
55
Name a top producer in the Maipo Valley
Concha y Toro’s “Don Melchor” vineyard (largest producer in Chile)
56
Name the 4 subregions of the Rapel Valley
1. Cachapoal 2. Colchagua 3. Curicó 4. Maule
57
What grapes are grown in Colchagua?
Cab/Mer, Carmenère, Syr Chard
58
What grapes are grown in Cachapoal?
Cab/Mer, Carmenère, Syrah Big area, close to Santiago
59
What grapes are grown in Curicó?
Cab/Mer Slightly cooler and wetter so SB Miguel Torrès, 1970's
60
What grapes are grown in the Maule Valley?
Cab/Mer, Carignan, Paìs
61
Describe the Maule Valley
Largest producing valley Wettest of all four subregions Very diverse geography Kendall Jackson has winery here
62
Describe Carignan
High number of century-old vines Dry farming, horse plowing Red fruit: Grilled plum, dried cranberry Pungent: white pepper Baking spices: nutmeg Other: iron, Acid - heightened Body - medium Deep concentration
63
Describe Itata
Mediterranean climate High rainfall Cab/Merlot, Chardonnday
64
Describe Bio Bio
Moderate Mediterranean climate Strong winds/less sunshine Longer growing seasons Riesling & Gewurztraminer
65
Describe Malleco
Moderate Mediterranean climate High rainfall PN / Char
66
What kind of climate does Chile have? | WSET3
Warm mediterreanean
67
What does Chile's dry, sunny growing season ensure? | WSET3
Reliable ripening Fungal diseases kept to mimimum
68
How can a lack of rain be mitigated?
Irrigation, but increasingly short supplies.
69
What is the climate like in the southern regions?
Cooler and wetter
70
What does El Niño cause?
Increased rain
71
What does La Niña cause?
Drier weather
72
Name 2 factors that cool Chile.
1. Humboldt current. Winds cooled by this current blow east and moderate. The effect is stronger where the mountains are lower 2. Cold air that descends from the Andes mountains overnight
73