WINES OF THE WORLD 🇨🇱 Chile Flashcards
Main wine-regions of Chile
- Coquimbo
- Aconcagua
- Central Valley
- Southern
Type of soils in Chile
Alluvial and fertile soil with clay, sand, silt, and gravel, on the river valleys. Slopes are less fertile, more gravel with sand and silt in the coastal ranges, while volcanic and granite in the Andes. Little limestone, mainly in the Limarí Valley.
Climate of Chile
Mainly warm Mediterranean with a long, dry and sunny growing season, cooler and wetter further south. Rainfall varies from very low (N and inland) to very high (S and coastal), generally low rainfall (exception for Itata, Bío Bío and Maule). El Niño every 2-10 years (higher rainfall) and La Niña (drought), therefore high vintage variation. Cooling influence by the ocean. Fog due to the Humboldt Current that flows up from Antarctica bringing cold water and hence cool air, and heating during the day. Fog also due to the gaps on the coastal range. Fog moderates temperatures and increases humidity.
Hazards in Chile
Minimal risk of fungal disease. Forest fires. Drought in the warmer parts.
Main grape varieties of Chile
Blacks mainly. Some problems in the past with vine identification (Carmenere vs Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc vs Sauvignonasse and Sauvignon Gris). Some experimenting with aromatic whites and Mediterranean blacks. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Carmenere, Syrah, Pinot Noir. País was the most planted.
Where old vines of País are located in Chile
Maule, Itata and Bío Bío.
Where old vines of Cinsaut are located in Chile
Itata and Maule.
Main training systems in Chile
Wide variety of training systems, VSP common.
Key winemaking operations for Chilean wines
Wide range of styles. Inexpensive wines follow temperature control, stainless steel. Experimenting with less new oak, more old oak, concrete and amphorae. Whole bunch and gentler extraction for reds, skin contact and lees ageing for whites.
How DOs in Chile are regulated on blending and alcohol
75+% grapes from that region, 85+% if exported to EU. If single variety, 75+% of that variety (85+% for EU). 11.5+% alcohol.
Labelling terms for Chilean wines
- Superior
- Reserva (12+% abv)
- Reserva Especial (12+% abv)
- Reserva Privada (12.5+% abv, ageing 6+ months oak if red)
- Gran Reserva (12.5+% abv, ageing 6+ months oak if red)
Which are the Chilean DOs
Created in 1995, five DOs (Atacama, Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley and Southern), plus one later (Austral).
The structure of Chilean DOs
Each DO has more sub-regions and smaller zones. ‘Areas’ for smaller DOs, belonging to a zone or a sub-region. Additional designations in 2011 due to the diversity from E to W - Costa (areas with coastal influence), Andes (areas with mountains influence) and Entre Cordilleras (areas in between); slow adoption from producers.
The largest companies in Chile
Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Santa Carolina, San Pedro.
Types of businesses that operate in Chile
80% of production by four companies (Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Santa Carolina, San Pedro). They own many vineyards in different regions, many brands and wineries. Some smaller wineries, especially in newer regions. Many investors arrived in Chile due cheap land (Torres, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Jackson Family).
Types of wines made in Chile
Leading supplier for fruity and early drinking wines, but also more complex and structured. Rosés and sweets are increasing.
Where vineyards are located in Chile
Vineyards mainly in the valleys from E to W. Vineyards on slopes of coastal range or hills of the valleys (cooling influence). In the E of Chile, vineyards are on or near the foothills of the Andes (cool winds from the mountains).
Climate of Coquimbo
Low latitude, high temperature and sunlight. Cooling influence from mountains and Pacific Ocean. Morning fogs and cooling breezes by the Humboldt Current. Extremely low rainfall (100 mm).
Where Coquimbo is located
On the edge of the Atacama Desert (the world’s driest desert).
Hazards in Coquimbo
Drought.