Chile- Nellites

Question 1

Climate of Chile?

Answer 1

Mediterranean: Fairly dry with lots of sunshine
** Varies enormously from N to S **
- North: DRY, desert like (irrigation crucial)
— Atacama, Coquimbo
- Central Valley: Cooler, still very dry
- South: Coolest and wettest

Question 2

Geographical influences of Chile?

Answer 2

• North: Atacama Desert
• East: Andes Mountains
• South: Patagonia/Antarctica
• West: Coastal Range, Pacific Ocean

Question 3

Grape growing in Chile?

Answer 3

*No presence of phylloxera
— Geographic isolation
— Dry, sandy soil
— Flood irrigation
*Irrigation is essential from the Andes
*Mostly ungrafted vines

Question 4

Grapes of Chile?

Answer 4

• RED: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, Syrah, País (70% of plantings)
• WHITE: Sauvignon Blanc (AKA Sauvignon Vert), Chardonnay

Question 5

Chilean wine law?

Answer 5

• Domestically: 75% minimum for vintage, variety and origin
  ** Many wineries chose to match EU requirement of 85% so they can export **
• Hybrids are forbidden
• Mimum alcohol content: 11.5%
  — Reserva and Reserva Especial minimum 12%
  — Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva minimum 12.5%
• Reserva Especial and Gran Reserva spend MANDATORY time in OAK

Question 6

What’s special about Denominacion de Origen (DO) system?

Answer 6

Refers to a specific geographical area and nothing else (Region, Subregion, Zone, Area)

Question 7

HIstory of Chile?

Answer 7

*1500s: Grapes being grown in the South American Spanish colonies.
*1600s: Prohibitive laws from the Spanish restricting wine production.
*1800s: Political independence and influx of European immigrants led to an expansion of viticulture.
*1970s-80s: Influx of foreign investment.

Question 8

Valle Central DO climate, location, production and grapes?

Answer 8

*Warm to hot climate.
*Located between the Coastal Range and Andes.
*80% of Chilean production.
*Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot

Question 9

Notable DO’s of Chile?

Answer 9

*Valle Central DO
*Rapel DO
*Colchagua DO
*Cachapoal DO
*Curicó Valley DO
*Maule DO
*Valle de Maipo DO

Question 10

Subregion: Valle de Maipo

Answer 10

*Surrounds Santiago in the Maipo River Valley.
*Most of the major historical wineries are located here.
*Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 11

Most notable Subregion of Aconcagua?

Answer 11

Casablanca DO:
*Cool, maritime climate west of the Coastal Range.
*Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir

Question 12

Name of the current that brings cold air from Antarctica to Chile?

Answer 12

Humboldt Current

Question 13

Concha y Toro
(Casillero del Diablo)

Answer 13

• Don Melchor Concha y Toro (owner and founder, 1883)
• Largest producer/exporter in Latin America
• Casillero del Diablo is their hallmark brand (1966)
  — ‘Devil’s Cellar’ from a legend that the Devil guards the cellar (to deter thieves)
• ‘Almaviva’ is their premium flagship (1998)
  — Born from a partnership with Baron Philippe de Rothschild (like Mondavi and Opus one!)

Question 14

Viña Errázuriz

Answer 14

Panquehue, Aconcagua Valley
- Chilean entrepreneur and politician Don Maximiano Errázuriz founded Viña Errázuriz (1870)
- ‘Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve’
— One of Chile’s first luxury wines
- ‘Viñedo Chadwick’ and ‘Seña’ are considered the premier Reds of Chile
— Bordeaux blends
— Beat Château Lafite and Château Margaux in 2004 Berlin Tasting
— Seña started as a joint project with Robert Mondavi

Question 15

Viña Santa Rita

Answer 15

Maipo Valley, Chile
- Don Domingo Fernández Concha (founder, 1880)
— Brought French varieties/techniques/winemakers to Chile
- ‘120’ from 120 patriots whom took refuge in their cellar during the Chilean revolution
- ‘Casa Real’ their premium flagship, one of Chile’s best (1989)
— Decanter magazine named it a ‘Wine Legend’, the first from South America
— 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 16

Casa Lapostolle

Answer 16

Apalta subregion, Colchagua Valley, Valle Central DO
- Founded by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle (1994)
— From the French family whom founded Grand Marnier liqueur
— The family also owns Château de Sancerre
- ‘Clos Apalta’ is their flagship
— Blend of Carmenere, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 17

Regional DO’s of Chile? (N to S)

Answer 17

• Atacama
• Coquimbo
• Aconcagua*
• Valle Central (Central Valley)*
• Sur (Southern Regions)
• Austral Region
  ** Historic wine center: best districts, best juice

Question 18

Costa, Entre Cordilleras, and Andes

Answer 18

• Signify the proximity of a vineyard to the:
  — Pacific Coast (Costa)
  — Area in between the Coastal Range and Andes (Entre Cordilleras, ‘between the mountains’)
  — Mountains (Andes)