South America Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are the major climatic influences on South American wine regions?
- Andes Mountains: Altitude moderates temperature, provides irrigation from snowmelt
- Pacific Ocean: Cold Humboldt Current cools coastal regions
- Diurnal range: Large difference between day and night temperatures preserves acidity
- Rain shadow from Andes results in dry conditions, reducing disease pressure
How does topography affect climate in South American wine regions?
Andes provide elevation, runoff, and cooler microclimates
Coastal ranges + Pacific breezes = cooling effect
Vineyards are often planted East–West (Andes–Pacific):
- Costa (coastal) – cool
- Entre Cordilleras (between ranges) – moderate
- Andes – cooler, higher altitude
What are the three labeling zones used in Chile’s wine law?
- Costa – Coastal influence
- Entre Cordilleras – Valley between Andes and Coastal Range
- Andes – High elevation near mountains
(Can be used in addition to region names on labels)
What are the basic rules of Chilean wine law regarding origin and labelling?
- Wines must contain at least 75% of the stated:
- Varietal, vintage, and region (85% for EU export)
- Denominación de Origen (DO) system used for GIs
- Irrigation is legal and widely practiced
- Chaptalization is not permitted
What are the 5 main wine regions of Chile?
- Atacama – Very dry; small production
- Coquimbo – High-altitude vineyards (Elqui, Limarí)
- Aconcagua – Casablanca, Aconcagua, San Antonio
- Central Valley – Maipo, Rapel, Curicó, Maule (most volume)
- Southern Regions – Itata, Bío-Bío, Malleco (cool climate whites, Pinot Noir)
What varietals and styles are typical in Casablanca Valley (Aconcagua)?
- Cool-climate white wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
- Also Pinot Noir
- Coastal proximity = fog & cool breezes
What varietals are associated with Maipo Valley (Central Valley)?
- Classic region for Cabernet Sauvignon
- Also Merlot, Carménère
- Close to Santiago, benefits from Andes foothill air
What are the sub-regions of Rapel Valley, and their varietal focus?
- Cachapoal Valley – Carmenère, Syrah
- Colchagua Valley – Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carménère
- Both warmer and ideal for ripe red wines
What are the principal grape varietals of Chile?
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Syrah, Pinot Noir
White: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat of Alexandria
Signature: Carménère
What are the principal grape varietals of Argentina?
Red: Malbec (signature), Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
White: Torrontés (signature), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pedro Giménez
Match key Chilean wine regions with their typical grape varietals:
- Casablanca – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
- Maipo Valley – Cabernet Sauvignon
- Colchagua Valley – Carmenère, Syrah
- Limarí / Elqui (Coquimbo) – Chardonnay, Syrah
- Bío-Bío / Itata (South) – País, Pinot Noir, Muscat
Match Argentinian regions with their principal varietals:
Mendoza – Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
Salta – Torrontés, Malbec (high-altitude wines)
Patagonia (Río Negro, Neuquén) – Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay
San Juan – Syrah, Bonarda, Torrontés
Name key sub-districts within Chile’s wine regions.
Aconcagua Region:
- Casablanca Valley
- Aconcagua Valley
- San Antonio Valley (incl. Leyda)
Central Valley Region:
- Maipo Valley
- Rapel Valley (Colchagua, Cachapoal)
- Curicó Valley
- Maule Valley
Southern Region:
- Itata, Bío-Bío, Malleco
What are the key sub-regions of Mendoza, Argentina?
Luján de Cuyo – Premium Malbec
Uco Valley – High-altitude Chardonnay, Malbec, Torrontés
Maipú – Traditional growing area; Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda
What are the native grape varietals of Argentina?
Torrontés – aromatic white (three biotypes; Torrontés Riojano is the finest)
Criolla Chica – ancient mission grape, related to País in Chile
Bonarda – widely planted, possibly of Savoie origin but naturalized in Argentina
(Note: Malbec is not native, but signature)
