WSET Level 4 - D3 > Chile > Flashcards

Chile Flashcards

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1
Q

Briefly describe what happened before and after 1980

A
  • Before 1980s:
  • Majority of cheap wine consumed domestically
  • Half of vineyards pulled
  • After 1980s:
  • Shift to quality wines for export market
  • Large areas replanted
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2
Q

Climate
What is the general climate and tendencies towards north and south?

A
  • Mostly warm, Mediterranean
  • Long, dry and sunny growing season
  • Becomes cooler and wetter further south
  • Intense sunlight due to relatively low latitude
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3
Q

Climate
What is the annual rainfall?

A
  • North and inland: drier (80mm in Elqui)
  • South and coast: wetter (1,200mm in Bío Bío)
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4
Q

Climate
What weather phenomenons are there from the Pacific? What does it cause?

A
  • El Niño: every two to ten years -> much higher rainfall
  • La Niña: much lower rainfall or drought
  • -> Vintage variations
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5
Q

Climate
What are the two major factors influencing the climate?

A
  • Pacific Ocean and Andes
  • Provide a significant cooling influence
  • Lengthening the growing season and allowing the grapes to retain acidity and aromas
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6
Q

Climate
What are specific effects of the Pacific?

A
  • Range of low mountains (300-800m) forms barrier against influence from the ocean
  • Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica and brings cold water and cool air
  • Warm air rises from the land and cool air is sucked inland
  • Morning fog moderates temps and increases humidity until it is burned away by the heat of sun
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7
Q

Climate
What does the coastal range and the Andes create and what does it mean for grape growing? Where do they merge?

A
  • Create a large, dry, warm and sunny central valley -> grapes for high volumes of inexpensive wines
  • Coastal range and Andes merge to the north of Santiago (in Coquimbo and Aconcagua)
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8
Q

Climate
Where are higher quality grapes grown?

A
  • Where there are cooling influences
  • Gaps in the coastal ranges
  • Altitude or aspect
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9
Q

Climate
What are effects from the Andes?

A
  • Cool mountain air descends
  • High diurnal ranges
  • Altitude can also moderate temps
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10
Q

Soil
Describe the soils in the three distinct parts

A
  • River valleys: fertile soils, mainly alluvial
  • Slopes in coastal ranges: less fertile, more gravel with sand and silt
  • Slopes in Andes: less fertile, volcanic, mainly granite
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11
Q

Vineyard Management
What is the total area under vine?

A

137,000 ha

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12
Q

Vineyard Management
What influence does the climate in inland and coastal regions have on grape growing? (incl. diseases and organic/sustainable viticulture)

A
  • Mostly dry and sunny:
  • Healthy, fully ripe grapes with high levels of tannins and anthocyanins
  • Lower diesease risk -> Sustainable and organic viticulture easy to practice
  • Coastal areas:
  • Fungal diseases can be an issue
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13
Q

Vineyard Management
Is irrigation allowed? Comment on water availability and climate change

A
  • Widely practiced (85% of vineyards)
  • Except in Itata (and Bío Bío and Maule) where vineyards can rely on rainfall (old vines with deep roots)
  • Pure water from melting snow brought down from the Andes
  • Climate change: higher temps and less snowfall
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14
Q

Vineyard Management
What is a significant hazard?

A
  • Forest fires (from major forest plantations)
  • If not directly affected, smoke taint is a problem
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15
Q

Vineyard Management
Comment on Phylloxera

A
  • Phylloxera free
  • -> Geographical barriers and strict quarantine rules
  • -> Considerable plantings of old, ungrafted vines (mostly bush vines)
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16
Q

Vineyard Management
What is the common training system and how is harvest conducted?

A
  • VSP most common
  • Mostly by hand, mechanization in flat Central Valley
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17
Q

Grape Varieties
What is the ratio between black and white varieties?

A
  • 75% black
  • 25% white
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18
Q

Grape Varieties
What are the most grown varieties? (in descending order)

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon (by far most grown)
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Merlot
  • Chardonnay
  • Carmenere
  • País
  • Syrah
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19
Q

Grape Varieties
How did the plantings of varieties change from before 1990s and after?

A
  • Before 1990s: País most planted variety, mostly for inexpensive wines
  • After 1990s: mostly international varieties
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20
Q

Grape Varieties
What is a very current trend regarding varieties?

A

Trend towards greater diversity

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21
Q

Grape Varieties
What range of wines does Chile produce?

A
  • Increasingly diverse
  • Leading in inexpensive fruity wines
  • Can also produce very good and outstanding quality wines
  • Lots of experiments in winemaking
  • Rosé and sweet wines also produced
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22
Q

Grape Varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon
What styles of wines does it produce?

A
  • Chile’s most finest and expensive wines
  • Single varietal or blended with Merlot, Carmenere or Syrah
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23
Q

Grape Varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon
Where are higher quality wines grown and what is the resulting style? (aromas, acidity, body, tannin, maturation)

A
  • Sites near the Andes: poorer soils control vigor and cool nights slow down ripening
  • Pronounced dark fruit, particularly blackcurrant, often with a herbaceous (mint or eucalyptus) character
  • Retained acidity
  • Full body
  • High, but ripe tannins
  • Maturation in at least a proportion of new oak (toasty, spicy notes)
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24
Q

Grape Varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon
Where are large amounts of inexpensive, fruity wines grown and what is the resulting style compared to higher quality wines?

A
  • Flatter parts of the Central Valley
  • Dark fruit and herbal notes
  • Less structure, complexity and intensity
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25
**Grape Varieties - Merlot** What are different styles of Merlot produced? Where are they popular?
* **Inexpensive Merlot** with dark fruit, medium body and soft tannins, mainly from the Central Valley * -> Great on export markets and for blends * **More complex** examples with riper fruit and fuller body are achieved with lower yields
26
**Grape Varieties - Carmenere** How is it used?
* Often in blends * Increasingly as single varietal wine
27
**Grape Varieties - Carmenere** Describe the typical style of a good to very good quality example (aromas, acidity, body, tannin)
* Ripe black fruit (blackberry), herbaceous characteristics (bell pepper, eucalyptus) and notes of spice, roasted coffee or dark chocolate (when oaked) * Medium acidity * Full body * High tannin
28
**Grape Varieties - Carmenere** What is important when growing this variety?
* Site selection: ripens two to three weeks later than Merlot * Needs warm, sunny sites, otherwise overly herbaceous with harsh tannins * If too ripe, can be overly alcoholic
29
**Grape Varieties - Syrah** What is the trend in plantings? What is the range of styles produced? (regions, aromas, acidity, body)
* Strongly increasing * **Cooler-climate** (San Antonio, Casablanca, Limarí and Elqui) * Fresh black fruit, pepper and cloves * Higher acidity * **Warmer-climate** (Colchagua Valley) * More intense, riper black fruit * Fuller-body
30
**Grape Varieties - Pinot Noir** What is the trend in plantings? What is the typical style produced? (regions, aromas, alcohol)
* Strongly increasing * **Cooler areas** (Casablanca and San Antonio) * Red fruits with herbal characters * Medium to high alcohol
31
**Grape Varieties - Sauvignon Blanc** What are two general areas where it is grown and what is the typical style? (aromas, acidity, quality, lees, oak)
* **Cooler areas** (Limarí, Casablanca and San Antonio): * Citrus to tropical flavors with wet stones or herbaceous notes * High acidity * Very good quality * Some use lees contact and oak ageing * **Central Valley**: * Large amounts of good quality, inexpensive Sauvignon Blanc
32
**Grape Varieties - Chardonnay** What are two general areas where it is grown and what is the typical style? (aromas, acidity, quality, oak)
* **Cool coastal areas** (Limarí): * Citrus and stone fruit * Medium(+) to high acidity * Very good quality * **Central Calley**: * Large amounts of inexpensive Chardonnay * Ripe tropical fruit * **Both oaked or unoaked**
33
**Wine Law and Regulations** What is the hierarchy of the appellation system? (incl. examples)
* **Regional DO** (Denominacione de Origen) (e.g., Central Valley) * **Sub-region** (e.g., Rapel Valley) * **Zone** (e.g., Colchagua) * **Area** (e.g., Apalta)
34
**Wine Law and Regulations** What new set of designations was introduced in 2011? Why?
* Because diversity between east and west is much higher than north/south * Split in 3 set: * **Costa** (areas influenced by coast) * **Andes** (areas influenced by mountains) * **Entre Cordilleras** (areas in between) * Labeling: e.g., Maipo Andes
35
**Wine Law and Regulations** What requirements are there to require for DO status with respect to regional and varietal labeling and min alcohol levels
* Regional: min 75% from that region (85% if exported to EU) * Varietal: min 75% from that variety (85% if exported to EU) * Min 11.5% abv
36
**Wine Law and Regulations** What are additional labeling terms regarding alcohol and oak ageing and how are they used?
* **Reserva**: min 12% abv * **Reserva Especial**: min 12% abv * **Reserva Privada**: min 12.5% abv, min 6 months in oak * **Gran Reserva**: min 12.5% abv, min 6 months in oak * Some producers use these terms to distinguish their wines, many do not use them
37
What are the four main wine growing regions? (from north to south)
* Coquimbo * Aconcagua * Central Valley * Southern
38
**Coquimbo** What are the three DOs?
* Elqui * Limarí * Choapa
39
**Coquimbo** Describe climatic influences and their effect on grape growing
* **Low latitude** * **High summer temps** and intense sunlight * **Cooling influence** from mountains and Pacific * **Morning fog and cooling breezes** through Humboldt Current * -> delay fruit ripening and produce intense fruit, balanced by fresh acidity * Alcohol levels can be high
40
**Coquimbo** What is the rainfall and what does that mean for irrigation? What is a threat?
* Very little or no rainfall (down to 100mm) * Irrigation is essential * Lower snowfall through climate change is a threat
41
**Coquimbo** What do the difficult growing conditions mean for the final wines?
* Small production * Premium prices
42
**Coquimbo - Elqui Valley** Where is it located and what are climatic influences?
* Very far north * Region follows the River Elqui * Lack of coastal mountains -> morning fog can reach further inland
43
**Coquimbo - Elqui Valley** What grape varieties do well in the areas affected by fog?
* **Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc** * Cooling influence leads to high acidity and fresh fruit flavors
44
**Coquimbo - Elqui Valley** Where are more extreme vineyards located and what varieties do well?
* Highest vineyards at up to 2,200m at the eastern end of the valley * Very **intense sunlight and wide diurnal range** * Deep-colored, intensely fruit flavored and fresh **Syrah** wines * Other Rhône varieties and Malbec also planted
45
**Coquimbo - Limarí Valley** Where is the region and where are vineyards located and what are climatic influences based on the location?
* 100km south of Elqui * Along the Limarí River * Steep valley through the coastal mountains * **West**: cooled by morning fog and cool breezes from Pacific and valley cut * **East**: foothills of the Andes at 1,500m and higher -> cooling influence through altitude
46
**Coquimbo - Limarí Valley** What is the soil and what effect does it have?
* Pockets of calcareous soils (unusual for Chile) * Retain moisture well * Very useful against drought
47
**Coquimbo - Limarí Valley** What is the most planted white, what the most successful black variety? What other varieties are grown?
* **Chardonnay** (most planted) * **Syrah** (most successful red wine) * **both** in a range of styles along the valley (lighter, fresher west; fuller, riper east) * Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere
48
**Aconcagua** What are the three important sub-regions?
* Aconcagua Valley * Casablanca Valley * San Antonio Valley
49
**Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley** What is the difference in climate between the central part and the vineyards along the Pacific?
* Central part: hot and dry * Pacific: Some of Chile's coolest vineyards, with white wine production dominating
50
**Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley** What newly introduced distinction between vineyards becomes especially clear here?
Andes, Entre Cordilleras and Costa sub-divisions
51
**Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley** Describe the climate, climatic influences, and rainfall in the central part
* Warm and dry * Moderated by afternoon breezes from the coast * Rainfall is low (250mm) * Irrigation is essential
52
**Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley** What varieties and type of wines are produced in the central part of the valley? (aromas, body, tannin, alcohol, varieties)
* Ripe fruit * Full body * High tannins * High alcohol * Mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot * Plantings of Syrah and Carmenere are increasing
53
**Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley** Where do producers go in the central part of the valley to produce a more elegant style? Describe the style (aromas, alcohol, price)
* Cooler sites at the eastern and western ends of the valley * Fresher, more complex wines * Lower alcohol * Smaller-volume * Mid- to premium priced
54
**Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley** What are climatic influences in Aconcagua Costa and what varieties are used?
* Morning fogs and ocean breezes * Ideal for producing fresh white wines * Particularly from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay * Also Pinot Noir and cool-climate style Syrah
55
**Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley** What are climatic influences in Aconcagua Andes and what type of wines does it produce?
* Vineyards at up to 1,000m * Sunny and warm days * Cold air from mountains at night * Large diurnal range * Red wines with pronounced ripe fruit flavors, balanced by fresh acidity
56
**Aconcagua - Casablanca Valley** Where are vineyards located and what are the major climatic influences? What is a problem?
* Low hills to the west let cooling ocean breezes through * Higher hills to the north and east restrict cool, humid air from escaping * -> one of Chile’s coolest wine-producing regions * The more west and low, the cooler the climate * -> Spring frost can be a problem
57
**Aconcagua - Casablanca Valley** What are the most planted varieties and what is the typical price level?
* Sauvignon Blanc * Chardonnay * Pinot (red berry and herbs) * Syrah (with spicy, peppery aromas from warmer, sheltered sites) * Mid- to premium-priced (due to small production)
58
**Aconcagua - San Antonio Valley** Where is it located and what is the major climatic influence?
* South of Casablanca Valley * Heavily influenced the ocean
59
**Aconcagua - San Antonio Valley** What is the most important variety? Describe its characteristics (aromas, acidity, body) and name 3 other varieties grown.
* **Sauvignon Blanc** * Citrus fruit, herbaceous notes, sometimes wet stones * High acidity * Medium body * **Other varieties** * Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay
60
**Aconcagua - Leyda Valley** Where is it located, what is special about this region (incl. influences on grape growing), and what are the main varieties?
* Within San Antonio Valley * Combination of foggy mornings, cool breezes and bright afternoon sunshine * Grapes ripen while retaining acidity * Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah
61
**Central Valley** Describe the climatic influences, soil, and what types of wines are generally produced here
* Largely sheltered from maritime influences by the coastal ranges * Grapes are on warm, fertile, well-irrigated plains * Perfect for producing ripe, fruity, inexpensive red wines (successful on export market)
62
**Central Valley** Where do producers go to get more complex and elegant wines? What effect does it have on the price?
* Valley sides, either Andean foothills or close to the Pacific * Only suitable for small production, so wines reach premium or even super-premium levels
63
**Central Valley** What are the four sub-regions?
* Maipo Valley * Rapel Valley * Curicó Valley * Maule Valley
64
**Central Valley - Maipo Valley** What is the climate and climatic influences?
* Sheltered from maritime influence by coastal ranges * Warm and sunny growing conditions
65
**Central Valley - Maipo Valley** What grape variety is the region known for and what is the typical style? (intensity, aromas, tannins, quality, price)
* **Cabernet Sauvignon** * Intense aromas of cassis and often a minty character * High but soft tannins * Good to very good quality * Inexpensive to mid-priced
66
**Central Valley - Maipo Valley** What other grapes are used to produce high-quality wines? What varieties are used for inexpensive wines?
* **Very-good quality** * Carmenere * Syrah * **Inexpensive** * Merlot
67
**Central Valley - Maipo Valley** Where are producers increasingly planting vineyards? Describe the altitude and climatic influences. What varieties and in what style are typically grown? (quality and price)
* Vineyards increasingly at high altitude (up to 1,000m) * At the eastern end of the valley (called "Alto Maipo") * Cool nights and high diurnal range * **Fresher, more elegant styles of wine**, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends * Very good and outstanding quality wines for super-premium prices
68
**Central Valley - Rapel Valley** Why is the name rarely used and what are the two sub-zones?
* Because it is sub-divided into two sub-zones * **Cachapoal Valley** * **Colchagua Valley**
69
**Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Cachapoal Valley** What are the climatic influences and soil? What types of wines from what grapes are produced?
* Warmer as largely cut off from maritime influences by the coastal ranges * Warm, fertile valley floor * Large volumes of inexpensive red wine * Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Syrah
70
**Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Cachapoal Valley** What wines does the area around Peumo produce?
* Very good, full-bodied, concentrated Carmenere * Sheltered from cold weather from the Andes * However, winds from the coast * -> Long, warm growing season for late-ripening Carmenere
71
**Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Cachapoal Valley** Where are highest quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grown?
Cooler eastern end of the valley in the Andean foothills
72
**Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Colchagua Valley** Describe the two very different styles of wines produced and where they are produced
* Warm, fertile central part: **large volumes of inexpensive**, full-bodied, fruity red wines * Cooler and/or less fertile areas: some of Chile’s **finest-quality and most expensive wines**
73
**Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Colchagua Valley** Describe two further locations of vineyards and what grapes are grown there
* **Most western end** (fully exposed to influence from coast): Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir * **Further inland**, just east of coastal ranges (warmer but influence from coastal breezes): Syrah and Carmenere
74
**Central Valley - Curicó Valley** Where are vineyards planted? How are they supplied with water and what types of wines is the region known for? (incl. grape varieties)
* **Warm, fertile soil** * Irrigation water from rivers * **Inexpensive, high-volume red wines** * Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Chardonnay
75
**Central Valley - Maule Valley** What was it traditionally known for and what is it developing towards?
* **High volumes of inexpensive wines** from warm, fertile sites in the central part of the valley * **Very good quality red wines**, from dry-farmed vineyards and old vines
76
**Central Valley - Maule Valley** From what varieties do 100-200y old bush vines exist and what type of wines does the black variety produce? (color, aromas, acidity, body, tannins, quality)
* **País** and Muscat of Alexandria * Pale color * Strawberry and raspberry, often spicy or herbal notes * Medium acidity * Medium body * Low to medium(-) tannins * Good and very good quality
77
**Central Valley - Maule Valley** What other black variety, besides País does Maule has significant old bush vine plantings of (where)? Describe the general style (aromas, acidity, tannins, quality, price)
* **Carignan** * Area of **Cauquenes** in the south, near the coast * Raspberry, cherry and black plum fruit, often with spicy notes * Medium(+) to high acidity * Medium(+) to high tannins * Very good quality * Premium priced
78
**Central Valley - Maule Valley** What other varieties, besides País, Muscat of Alexandria, and Carignan, are grown?
* Cabernet Sauvignon * Merlot * Carmenere
79
**Southern Region** What are the three sub-regions (from north to south)
* Itata Valley * Bío Bío Valley * Malleco Valley
80
**Southern Region** What are the climatic influences, rainfall, and what risks and effects for grape growing result from it?
* Fewer coastal hills further south -> **influence from Pacific** * **Higher latitude** (36°–38°S) -> longer days for ripening * **Cooler and wetter** climate (summer temps not too hot) * Rainfall 1,000mm * **Fungal disease** can be a problem * Mitigated through ocean breezes and canopy management
81
**Southern Region - Itata Valley** What was it previously known for and what is currently happening?
* One of Chile's oldest wine-producing regions * Mainly very cheap grapes for blending * **Now**: many leading producers purchase or establish vineyards
82
**Southern Region - Itata Valley** By what type of vines is it dominated (%) and what varieties are they?
* Old bush vines (> 75% if plantings) * Muscat of Alexandria * País (high-quality, distinctive wines; dry-farmed) * Cinsault
83
**Southern Region - Itata Valley** Describe the typical style of Cinsault from old bush vines (aromas, acidity, alcohol, quality)
* Red and black fruit flavors with liquorice notes and a saline edge * Fresh acidity * Medium alcohol * Good to very good quality
84
**Southern Region - Itata Valley** What other varieties (besides existing bush vines) are increasingly planted by newcomers?
* Chardonnay * Pinot Noir * Merlot * Cabernet Sauvignon
85
**Southern Region - Bío Bío Valley** Describe the two different types of vineyards and varieties grown
* **Dry-farmed, old bush vines** with traditional varieties: * e.g., País * Rise in **modern vineyards** with international varieties: * Pinot Noir * Chardonnay * Sauvignon Blanc * Riesling * Gewurztraminer
86
**Southern Region - Malleco Valley** What is the climate and what varieties are grown here?
* Cool climate * High acidity * Early ripening varieties * Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
87
**Wine Business** How much wine does it export compared to other nations worldwide? What types of wines are mainly exported? What is the current trend?
* 4th place * Low avg. value * Promoting higher-priced wines for export
88
**Wine Business** What are main export markets?
* China (trade agreement) * USA * Japan (trade agreement)
89
**Wine Business** What businesses are mainly invovled in production of wine?
* 80% of production through 4 companies * Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Santa Carolina and San Pedro
90
**Wine Business** What are two recent movements in businesses involved?
* Foreign investors (e.g., Mouton or Lafite Rothschild) * Very small wineries emerge producing high quality wine
91
**Wine Business** What is the domestic wine consumption and what does that mean for exports?
* LOW * Roughly 20-30% of production * Exports are VERY important
WSET Level 4 - D3
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