Chile Flashcards
What are the four geographical features defined in Chile vineyards?
- To the west is the pacific ocean.
- To the east are the Andes which also mark the Chilean border.
- North of santiago the two ranges tend to merge.
- south there is a large depression between two mountain ranges called the Central Valley.
What is the general climate of Chile Vineyards?
Warm Mediterranean. Dry sunny conditions which allow for full ripeness and less fungal diseases.
What are two weather patterns that affect the Chilean Veinyards?
El Nino - high rainfall
and LA Nina - drought
What helps blow cold air inland in Chile?
The Humboldt Current flowing up from Antartica.
What are the 4 main regional DOs in Chile?
Coquimbo, Aconcaqgua, southern region and Central Valley
What are three other terms that can appear on Chilean wine and what do they mean?
Andes - mountain areas
Costa - coastal areas
Entre Cordilleras - between mountain areas
Black varieties in Chile.
Cabernet - full bodied and blended with merlot, carmerere or syrah.
Merlot - inexpensive and fruity
Carmenere - late ripening, full bodied and high tannin. Highly herbacous.
Syrah - range from north to south
Pinot noir - promise in San Antonio and Casablanca
White varities of chile.
Chardonnay - medium to high acid with citrus and stone fruit, lees stirring and maturation. Limari Valley.
Muscat - used for grape brandy called Pisco.
SB - Well in cooler sites in San Antonia and Casablanca - high acid and intense fruit.
What are the three wine making subregions in Coquimbo?
Elquino Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley. Different features but lots of sunshine and cooling features from sea breezes and mountain air. Irrigation is essential but expensive.
What is the Limari Valley known for producing?
Top quality Chilian chardonnay
Aconcagua region is divided into what three subregions?
- Aconcagua Valley - steep sided valley that has some cooling influences from Ocean and Andes. Classic red are. rich, ripe fruit with high alcohol and tannins.
- Casablanca Valley
- San Antonia Valley
- share similar climte with lots of different soil types and aspcepts. Sb and chardonnay. Pinot is most plantd black - red fruits and herbal notes.
Describe the Central Valley Region.
Flat warm region where most of Chilean vineyards are found.
grapes ripen easily and there is a lot of inexpensive fruity wines coming out of here.
4 sub regions: MaipoValley, Rapel Valley, Curico Valley and Maule Valley.
Describe th Maipo Valley
- Classic heartland and close to Santiago
- little coastal influence
- reputation for minty cabernet
Describe the Rapel Valley
Two subregions of:
1. Colchagua Vallet - warn and open to some ocean influence - cabernet. some high quality white wines.
2. Cachapoal valley - warm and cut off from ocean breezes. Carmenere grows well here.
Describe the regions of Curico Valley and Maule Valley.
Southern End of central valley.
warmer and fertile soils so important to inexpensie bleds.
carignanin important with bush vines and intensely concentrated flavours.
