Chile Flashcards
Settlers from Spain brought Vitis Vinifera to Chile in the ____ before taking it across the Andes to Argentina
1550s
The earliest Chilean vineyards were planted in the ___ before spreading to the ____ Valley and further into the ____ regions, where large amounts of ____ wine were soon produced.
These early wines were unsophisticated by today’s standards and made in an ____ style from ____ and ____.
Planted in the north before spreading to the Central Valley and further into the southern regions.
Large amounts of cheap wine were soon produced.
Made in an oxidative style from País and Muscat
Why were European producers drawn to Chile following the phylloxera outbreak in the late 1800s?
Chile had started an experimental nursery in the 1830s which included stocks of European vines. These had not been hit by the pest.
When were the first vines from Bordeaux imported to Chile?
1851
Describe the state of the Chilean wine industry at the beginning of the 20th century.
What type of wine was being made and where was most of it consumed?
Booming
Majority of wine was cheap and consumed domestically
Why did the Chilean wine industry go into decline by the mid 20th century? (2)
Chile was politically isolated from the rest of the world
Domestic demand declined
Why did the Chilean wine industry begin to boom again in the late 20th century? (4)
- Return to democracy and the free market
- Producers began to heavily invest in new technology
- Shift in focus to make quality wine for the export market
- Large vineyard areas were replanted and new vineyards were established
Chile is surrounded by the _____ ____ to the north, ____ ____ to the east, the ____ ____ to the west and ____ ____ to the south
Atacama desert to the north
Andes Mountains to the east
Pacific ocean to the west
Patagonian Glaciers to the south
At what latitude are what most Chilean vineyards found?
How does this effect sunlight?
Between 30 and 38 degrees south
Sunlight is very intense due to low latitude
Describe the general climate in Chile
Warm Mediterranean with a long, dry growing season.
The country becomes cooler and wetter further south
What are El Niño and La Niña?
How do these effect vintage variation in Chile?
La Niña causes water in the eastern Pacific to be colder than usual. In the same region, El Niño can cause the water to be warmer than usual.
Areas that are hit with drought during La Niña years are pummeled with rain in El Niño years.
This causes high vintage variation.
What is the main cooling influence found in the west of Chile?
In the east?
The Pacific ocean
The Andes
What is the Humboldt Current?
The Humboldt current flows up from Antartica bringing cold water and cold air.
Warm air from the land rises up during the day, sucking in cool air in its place, creating cooling winds and morning fogs
What effect do the Coastal range and Andes Mountains have on the Central Valley?
What type of production is common here?
They shelter it, creating a dry, warm sunny valley.
High volume inexpensive wines
What type of soils are found in the river valleys in Chile?
Alluvial, fertile soils with areas of clay, silt and gravel
What types of soils are found on the slopes in the Coastal Ranges?
Less fertile: gravel with sand and silt
What types of soils are found on the slopes in the Andes?
Less fertile soils. Volcanic, mainly granitic
Where might you find small outcrops of limestone in Chile?
What benefit do these have?
In Limarí Valley
These can retain some water, useful in desert-like conditions
How many hectares are there under vine in Chile?
137,000
What percentage of Chile’s vineyards are irrigated?
Over 85%
Where do most grape growers source irrigation water from?
Melt water off the Andes
Where rivers are not present (e.g. Casablanca) irrigation may come from aquifers via wells
Why has Chile remained phylloxera free?
Strict quarantine rules and physical geographical barriers
Where would you find significant plantings of old bush vines in Chile?
Itata and Maule
What is the most common training method used in Chile?
VSP
Why are recently planted vines grafted in Chile?
To protect from nematodes
Name the seven most planted varieties in Chile.
Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc Merlot Chardonnay Carmenere País Syrah
Where is País suddenly seeing a revival in Chile?
In Maule, Itata and Bio Bio, where old vine stock is being used
Chile has become a leading producer for what types of wines?
Inexpensive fruity wines made in temperature controlled stainless steel vats
Where would you expect to source simple inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon from in Chile?
The flat Central Valley
Where does Cabernet Sauvignon perform best in Chile, and why?
Performs best in soils near the Andes.
Poor soils contain vigour
Cool nights slow ripening and help retain acidity
What blending partners might be used with Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile?
Syrah
Merlot
Carmenere
Give a typical tasting note for good to very good quality Carmenere.
Ripe black fruits, blackberry, bell pepper, eucalyptus, chocolate and coffee from oak
Medium acidity
High tannin
Full body
Where might you find Pinot Noir plantings in Chile?
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Where are better quality examples of Sauvignon Blanc planted in Chile?
Limarí Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Where would you find very good examples of Chilean Chardonnay?
Limarí Valley
Name the six original Chilean DOs
Atacama Coquimbo Aconcagua Central Valley Southern Austral
Name the two valleys included within Rapel Valley
Colchagua Valley
Cachapoal Valley
To qualify as a Chilean DO wine, ___% of grapes must come from that region.
What does this figure rise to if exporting to the EU?
75%
85% if exporting to the EU
If a variety is labelled on a Chilean DO wine, ___% of grapes must come from that variety.
What does this figure rise to if exporting to the EU?
75%
85% if exporting to the EU
What are the ageing requirements for Chilean wines labeled “Reserva Privada” and “Gran Reserva”?
Must be oak aged for a minimum of 6 months
