WSET L3 Chile

Question 1

What are the main 4 geographical features in Chile

Answer 1

1. Pacific Ocean
2. Coastal Mountain Ranges
3. The Andes
4. Gaps in the coastal ranges caused by rivers that drain water from the Andes

Question 2

What general climate does Chile have

Answer 2

Warm Mediterranean, dry sunny growing season (fully ripe fruit no fungal diseases, irrigation problems)

Question 3

What are the two cyclical weather patterns in the pacific region

Answer 3

El Niño: heavy rainfall years

La Niña: drought years

Question 4

What is the name of the cold current that flows up from Antarctica along Chile’s coast?

Answer 4

Humboldt Current (can bring fog)

Question 5

What are the two cooling influences on Chile’s climate

Answer 5

Humboldt Current, Cold air descending down from the Andes during the night (diurnal range)

Question 6

What are the three new labelling terms introduced in Chile in 2012

Answer 6

Costa (by the coast)
Entre Cordilleras (Between the mountain ranges)
Andes (mountain areas)

Question 7

What are the main Black grape varieties found in Chile

Answer 7

Cabernet Sauvignon (variety of styles simple to premium, ripe black fruit and herbacious)
Merlot (inexpensive, med body and fruit)
Carmenere (late ripening, likes warm and sunny, full body, high tannin, black fruit and herbal flavours)
Syrah
Pinot Noir (in cooler San Antonio and Casablanca Valley)

Question 8

What are the main white grape varieties found in Chile

Answer 8

Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca and San Antonio, cooler, high acid, intense fruit, apple citrus, tropical, herbaceous, some lees stirring and oak)
Chardonnay (modern international style, ripe fruit and oak)
Muscat of Alexandria (Pisco)
Some aromatic varieties in Bio bio and Itata

Question 9

What kind of Chardonnay does the Limari Valley produce

Answer 9

Structure, elegance, restraint, not just modern traditional style

Question 10

From north to south name the main 13 valleys of chile

Answer 10

Elqui 
Limari
Aconcagua
Casablanca
San Antonia
Leyda
Maipo
Cachapoal
Colchagua
Curico
Maule
Itata
Bio Bio

Question 11

From north to south name the 4 main regions of Chile

Answer 11

Coquimbo
Aconcagua
Central Valley
Southern

Question 12

What do vinyards benefit from in Coquimbo, Chile

Answer 12

Brilliant sunshine, marked cooling influences from sea breeze or mountain air, high altitudes, but irrigation is a problem

Question 13

What 2 grape varieties is Elqui valley known for and what grape variety is Limari Valley known for

Answer 13

Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah

Chardonnay

Question 14

What climatic and agricultural characters does Aconcagua Valley have

Answer 14

Steep sided narrow valley
Cooling influences (ocean and andes)
Fertile valley floor (warmest growing conditions in Chile)

Question 15

What three black grape varieties are grown in Aconcagua valley and what are the reds generally like

Answer 15

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cermenere

Rich ripe fruit flavours, high alcohol and tannin, recently trying to reduce alcohol and increase freshness

Question 16

Which white grape varieties grow in the Casablanca and San Antonio (Leyda) Valleys and why do they suit these areas?

Answer 16

Suavignon blanc and Chardonnay, the areas are cooler due to morning fog and afternoon winds

Question 17

Which black grape is successful in the Casablanca valley and what is it like

Answer 17

Syrah, warmer sites in east, well-structured, peppery

Question 18

Which black grape variety is most common in the San anotnio and Casablanca valleys

Answer 18

Pinot Noir (red berry and herbal)

Question 19

Name the main 6 valleys in Central Valley Chile

Answer 19

Maipo, Rapel, Colchagua, Cachapoal, Curico and Maule

Question 20

Which grape varieties are most common in Itata and Bio bio valleys

Answer 20

Pais and Muscat of Alexandria, also Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Bio Bio