36. Chile

Question 1

What is the climate of Chile?

Answer 1

Warm Mediterranean

Question 2

Why are fungal diseases rare in Chile?

Answer 2

Because of the dry, sunny growing season

Question 3

Name the weather patterns that can affect the wine regions in Chile?

Answer 3

• El Nino: Rainfall levels can dramatically increase

- El Nina: Drought may occur

Question 4

What are the geographical factors that moderates the weather in Chile?

Answer 4

• The cold Humboldt Current from Antarctica
• Fog in areas close to coast
• Cold air descending from Andes Mountains

Question 5

What is the most widely planted grape variety in Chile?

Answer 5

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 6

What is Chile’s signature grape variety?

Answer 6

Carmenere

Question 7

What are the characteristics of Chile’s Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 7

Very ripe black fruit aromas and flavours, often with a herbaceous character

Question 8

What style of Merlot is very successful on export markets in Chile?

Answer 8

Inexpensive, medium-bodied and fruity Merlots

Question 9

What are the characteristics of Chile’s Carmenere?

Answer 9

• Full-bodied
• High tannins
• Can have overtly herbaceous character when not fully ripe

Question 10

Compare the Shiraz produced in Elqui Valley and Colchagua Valley

Answer 10

• Elqui Valley: Cooler. Lighter in body with peppery notes

- Colchagua Valley: Hot. Great intensity of black fruit flavours and fuller body

Question 11

Pinot Noir is grown in which areas of Chile?

Answer 11

Cooler areas like San Antonio and Casablanca Valleys

Question 12

Name the two most widely planted white grapes in Chile?

Answer 12

• Sauvignon Blanc

- Chardonnay

Question 13

Sauvignon Blanc is grown in which areas of Chile?

Answer 13

Cooler areas like San Antonio and Casablanca Valleys

Question 14

Tasting notes of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Answer 14

• High acidity
• Intense fruity flavours
• Ripe apple, citrus and tropical flavours
• Sometimes herbal notes
• Oak and lees stirring is sometime used

Question 15

What style of Chardonnays are produced in Chile?

Answer 15

Modern international style with ripe fruit and oak flavours

Question 16

What is the third most widely planted white grape variety in Chile? What is it used for?

Answer 16

• Muscat

- Production of grape brandy Pisco

Question 17

Name the regions and their important subregions in Chile from north to south

Answer 17

Coquimbo Region
 - Elqui Valley
 - Limari Valley
Aconcagua Region
 - Aconcagua Valley
 - Casablanca Valley
 - San Antonio Valley
Central Valley
 - Maipo Valley
 - Cachapoal Valley
 - Colchagua Valley
 - Curico Valley
 - Maule Valley
Southern Region
 - Itata Valley
 - Bio Bio Valley

Question 18

What is the biggest challenge in Coquimbo region?

Answer 18

Lack of water

Question 19

Elqui region has a reputation for producing wines from which grapes?

Answer 19

• Sauvignon Blanc

- Syrah

Question 20

The best Chardonnays come from which region of Chile?

Answer 20

Limari Valley

Question 21

Aconcagua Valley is famous for production of which grape varieties? Why?

Answer 21

• Cabernet Sauvignon (dominant), Syrah, Carmenere
• Because the valley floor between the coastal mountain range and Andes offer some of the warmest growing conditions in Chile

Question 22

What is the new trend in winemaking in Aconcagua Valley?

Answer 22

Reducing the alcohol levels so plantings are less focused on the fertile valley floor and spread towards the slopes

Question 23

What is the difference between the location of Aconcagua Valley and Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys

Answer 23

• Aconcagua Valley lies between coastal mountain range and Andes
• Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys lie between coastal mountains and Pacific

Question 24

What are the factors that moderate the climate in Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?

Answer 24

Morning fog and afternoon winds that blow in off the ocean cools the vineyard sites

Question 25

Which sub-zone of San Antonio Valley has the greatest reputation for Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 25

Leyda Valley

Question 26

What is the most planted black grape variety in Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?

Answer 26

Pinot Noir

Question 27

The majority of Chilean vineyards are located in which region?

Answer 27

Central Valley region

Question 28

In Central Valley region of Chile, the production is focused on what types of wines

Answer 28

Inexpensive fruity wines from Merlot and Chardonnay

Question 29

Where are most of the premium sites located in Maipo region?

Answer 29

In the foothills of Andes, cooled by the descending air

Question 30

Maipo Valley has a reputation for which grape?

Answer 30

Cabernet Sauvignon (minty character)

Question 31

Which grapes dominate in the valley floor and in the eastern end of the Cachapoal Valley?

Answer 31

- Valley floor: Carmenere | - Eastern end of valley: (Cooler) Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Question 32

Which grapes dominate in the Colchagua Valley?

Answer 32

Full bodied reds: - Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah - Carmenere

Question 33

What kind of wines are produced in the west part of Colchagua valley? Why?

Answer 33

- High quality white wines | - Because of greater cooling Pacific influence

Question 34

Generally what style of wines are produced in Curico and Maule Valleys?

Answer 34

Inexpensive blended red and white wines

Question 35

From which grape variety, are full-bodied, intensely concentrated wines produced from ancient low-yielding bush vines in Curico and Maule Valleys?

Answer 35

Carignan

Question 36

How is the climate in southern region?

Answer 36

Noticeably cooler and wetter

Question 37

Which grapes dominate in the Itata and Bio Bio Valleys?

Answer 37

- Pais | - Muscat of Alexandria

Question 38

Which grapes are now being popularized in Bio Bio Valley?

Answer 38

- Pinot Noir - Chardonnay - Aromatic varieties

Question 39

What is the most southerly sub-region of Southern Region in Chile? Which grapes are grown?

Answer 39

- Malleco | - Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Question 40

The new classification (2012) of wine regions in Chile depend on which criteria?

Answer 40

The distance of the vineyards from the coast

Question 41

How are the wines labelled according to the new 2012 classification?

Answer 41

- Costa : For coastal areas - Entre Cordilleras: Areas between mountain ranges - Andes: Mountain area

Question 42

Are there strict criteria for the labelling terms " Reserva", "Reserva Especial", "Reserve Privado" and "Gran Reserva"?

Answer 42

No, they are loosely defined. Can be useful to estimate the quality levels within a producer's portfolio of wines