S. America

Question 1

What is the climate of winemaking regions in Chile?

Answer 1

Temperate to warm

Question 2

What is the top white grape of Chile?

Answer 2

Chardonnay

Question 3

What are the top red grapes of Chile?

Answer 3

Cabernet Sauv. Carmenere

Question 4

What are the subregions of the Central Valley?

Answer 4

• Maipo Valley
• Rapel Valley
• Curico Valley
• Maule Valley

Question 5

Where does Chile rank in the world in terms of wine production?

Answer 5

10th

Question 6

What is unique about Chile and phylloxera?

Answer 6

• Very isolated country
• Spared frm phylloxera

Question 7

What are the two main geographic features of Chile?

Answer 7

• Pacific coastline
• Andes mountains

Question 8

What is unique about Chile winemaking?

Answer 8

• Heavily influenced by French winemaking
• most vines planted on their own rootstock (pure)
• 1800s - Hired French winemakers from Bordeaux

Question 9

Describe the wine laws in Chile

Answer 9

• International Markets: Grape, Region, or Vintage listed = 85%
• Domestic Markets: “law of 75%”

Question 10

Describe Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile

Answer 10

• Fruity
• Tannic
• Structured
• Sometimes blended with Merlot or Carmenere (Bordeaux blend)

Question 11

Describe Carmenere from Chile

Answer 11

• Wide range
• simple and fruity
• complex and intense dark fruit

Question 12

Describe Chardonnay from Chile

Answer 12

• Soft
• Medium Quality
• Heavy Oak
• Malolactic fermentation

Question 13

What affects the terroir of Chilean wine regions?

Answer 13

• Location: river valleys between coastal mtn. ranges and Andes mtns.
• Temperate almost Mediterranean climate
• Gets warmer north, cooler south

Question 14

What is the largest and most important wine region in Chile and its subregions?

Answer 14

• Central Valley
  
  • Maipo Valley
  • Rapel Valley
  • Curico Valley
  • Maule Valley

Question 15

Describe Maipo Valley

Answer 15

• Closest to capital Santiago
• First grapes planted in 1500s
• Dry, warm climate
• Red wine region
• Cab SAuv and Carmenere

Question 16

Describe Rapel Valley and its subregion(s)

Answer 16

• Just south of Maipo Valley
• High quality red wines
• Marine influence in the valley
• Cab Sauve, Carmenere, Sauv Blanc
• Subregion: Colchagua Valley

Question 17

Describe the Curico Valley

Answer 17

• Further south than Rapel
• Lack of ocean influence
• Warmer climate
• Wide, fertile region
• Aromatic Sauv Blanc

Question 18

Describe the Maule Valley

Answer 18

• Most widely planted region in Chile
• 25% of Chile’s vines
• Chardonnay
• Sauvignon Blanc

Question 19

Describe the climate in Argentina

Answer 19

Temperate to warm

Question 20

Top white grape of Argentina

Answer 20

Torrontes

Question 21

Top red grapes of Argentina

Answer 21

• Malbec
• Cabernet Sauv

Question 22

Top wine region of Argentina

Answer 22

Mendoza

Question 23

Where does Argentina rank in the world in terms of wine production?

Answer 23

5th

Question 24

Where are most of Argentina’s wine regions located?

Answer 24

• Foothills of Andes Mountains
• Arid, high-desert climate

Question 25

What does most Argentinian red pair with?

Answer 25

Beed

Question 26

What are the wine laws of Argentina?

Answer 26

• Similar to other New World countries
• Labeled by grape varietal = 80%
• Labeled by wine region = 85%

Question 27

Describe Malbec from Argentina

Answer 27

• Growing conditions ideal for this grape
• Rich purple color
• Concentrated
• Spicy
• Dark Fruit

Question 28

Describe Torrontes from Argentina

Answer 28

• Light-bodied
• Aromatic
• Fresh stone fruit
• Citrus

Question 29

What are some of the main wine regions in Argentina?

Answer 29

• Mendoza (Malbec)
• San Juan (table wines)
• La Rioja (table wines)
• Salta (Torrontes)
• Neuquen
• Rio Negro (Chard & Sauv Blanc)