WSET Diploma Chile Flashcards
How would you describe the 4 key geographical features of Chile?
- To the West is the Pacific Ocean
- Just inland are the Coastal Mountain Ranges
- To the East are the Andes Mountains
- South of Santiago is a large depression between the two mountain ranges called ‘Central Valley’.
Apalta is a region on the ____side of ____Valley.
Identify 2 top producers from Apalta and their top wines.
What kinds of wines are these?
Eastern side of Colchagua Valley.
Casa Lapostolle’s “Clos Apalta”
Viña Montes “Alpha M”
Bordeaux-style blends
Which region is developing a reputation for Old Bush Vine Carignan in Chile?
Maule Valley
What are the 2 sub-regions of Curicó?
Lontué and Teno
What is a constraint to grape growing in Coquimbo Region?
Irrigation is essential but very expensive due to lack of water resources.
What are growing conditions like in the Aconcagua Valley?
What 3 grapes would you find there?
The vineyards on the fertile valley floor are some of the warmest growing conditions in Chile.
Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Carmenère
What grape has Leyda Valley gained an excellent reputation for growing?
Sauvignon Blanc
What it the term in Chile for Wines of Origin?
Denominaciones de Origen (DO)
Which Chilean grape variety used to be confused with Merlot?
Carmenere
What 3 things provides the cooling in Coastal areas and inside much of the Inland Mountain ranges?
- The cold Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica
- Prevailing winds blow cool air inland along river valleys
- Coastal areas can experience fog
Who produces “Clos Apalta?”
Casa Lapostolle
Which southern Chilean region is most focused on Pinot Noir production?
Bio Bio Valley
Topographically, what are conditions like between the Coastal mountains and the Andes?
More sheltered. Large expanses of flat land that is easier to cultivate
The País grape is also known by which 3 synonyms?
Mission
Criolla Chica
Listan Prieto
Which subregion of Coquimbo has lowest wine production?
Choapa Valley
Montes, Neyen, and Lapostolle all call what DO zone home?
Colchagua Valley
Which region is famed for its Carmenere?
Identify a top producer / wine made from Carmenere:
Colchagua Valley
Viña Montes’ “Purple Angel”
Los Vascos winery is owned by which famous First Growth property in Bordeaux?
Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Rapel Valley is subdivided into 2 zones, what are they?
Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley
What is special about Chilean grapevines and root stock?
Chile’s vines are all ungrafted and phylloxera-free.
What is the white wine that makes Limari Valley stand out?
Chile’s best Chardonnay
How would you describe the climate of Chile? What is the one risk of the climate?
Generally Warm Mediterranean
Dry, sunny, growing season = Grapes reliably ripen and low fungal risk.
RISK - Drought; in some places water is in short supply
What 3 sub regions make up Coquimbo Region and what contributes to them making good wine?
Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley.
Brilliant sunshine and marked cooling from sea breezes or mountain air
How would you describe the climate of Aconcagua Valley?
Flat, fertile and very warm
Which famous Spanish wine family own extensive vineyards in Chile?
Miguel Torres
Which wine region near Santiago has the warmest climate?
Maipo
Pisco production is most prominent in which Chilean region?
Atacama
What is Chile’s most planted white grape?
Sauvignon Blanc
What are conditions like in Curicó Valley and Maule Valley and what is mainly grown there?
It’s warm and the soils are fertile. Mainly grapes for bulk red and white blends, but Cabernet Sauvignon has become the star variety, producing full-bodied, intensely concentrated wines from ancient, low-yielding vines.