Chile

Question 1

Where is Chile located?

Answer 1

Located on the west coast of South America in the Southern Hemisphere.

Argentina is on the other side of the Andes Mountains.

Question 2

From north to south, how long is Chile in miles or km?

Answer 2

2,670 miles / 4300 km north to south

Question 3

How wide is Chile in miles or km?

Answer 3

217 miles or 350 km wide

Question 4

What degrees latitude does Chile span in the southern hemisphere?

Answer 4

Spans 17-53°S latitude

Question 5

What are the climate categories for Chile from north to south?

Answer 5

From north to south, climate ranges from hot desert to cool to cold.

Question 6

What is the name of the desert in northern Chile?

Answer 6

Atacama Desert

Question 7

• On which ocean is Chile located?
• What does the ocean provide for Chile?

Answer 7

• Pacific Ocean
• cool breezes and fog

Question 8

What are the 2 mountain ranges in Chile?

Answer 8

1. Coastal Range (west side)
2. Andes Mountains (east side)

Question 9

What benefit do the Andes Mountains provide vineyards nearby?

Answer 9

Diurnal shifts

Question 10

What feature do the Coastal Mountains in Chile create for vineyards??

Answer 10

Creates rain shadow from cold Pacific.

Question 11

What is a predominant soil type found in Chile?

Answer 11

Sand

No phylloxera!

Question 12

Is irrigation allowed in Chile?

Answer 12

Irrigation is essential from the Andes.

Question 13

Most of Chile’s vinifera grapevines are grafted or ungrafted?

Answer 13

Mostly ungrafted vines.

Which means that V. vinifera vines were planted directly into the ground and untouched thanks to the absence of phylloxera.

Question 14

What are the 2 main white grape varieties planted in Chile?

Answer 14

1. Sauvignon Blanc
2. Chardonnay

Question 15

What are the 5 main red grape varieties planted in Chile?

Answer 15

1. Cabernet Sauvignon
2. Merlot
3. Carménère
4. Syrah
5. País

Question 16

What wine classification system is used in Chile?

Answer 16

Denominación de Origen (DO) System

Question 17

• What does the DO system in Chile refer to?
• Are there other wine laws in Chile besides the DO system?

Answer 17

• Refers to a geographic place of origin only.
• No other additional laws.

Question 18

From largest to smallest, what are the categories of Chile’s DO system?

Answer 18

• Region
• Subregion
• Zone
• Area

Question 19

What is Chile’s minimum Variety/Vintage/Origin percentage if any are named on the label?

Answer 19

• 75%
• In practice though, they follow 85% in all three categories to be in step with EU laws.

Question 20

What are the 2 major regions/DOs of Chile you need to know for the exam (not their subregions, just the big regions)?

Answer 20

1. Aconcagua DO
2. Valle Central DO

Question 21

Within the Aconcagua DO region, which of its subregions do you need to know for the CMS 2 exam?

Answer 21

Casablanca DO

Question 22

In Chile, the Casablanca DO has what type of climate?

Answer 22

Cool maritime climate.

Question 23

The Casablanca DO in Chile is located to the west or east of the Coastal Range?

Answer 23

West of the Coastal Range.

Question 24

Which 3 grape varieties do you find most planted in Casablanca DO (that are well suited for its cool maritime climate)?

Answer 24

1. Chardonnay
2. Sauvignon Blanc
3. Pinot Noir

Question 25

What is the climate in Valle Central DO in Chile?

Answer 25

Warm to hot climate.

Question 26

# Select the correct answer. Valle Central DO in Chile is located: a. west of the Coastal Range b. between the Coastal Range and the Andes c. east of the Andes

Answer 26

b. between the Coastal Range and Andes

Question 27

# Fill in the blank. Valle Central DO in Chile accounts for \_\_\_\_% of Chilean wine production.

Answer 27

80%

Question 28

What are the 3 main red grapes found in Valle Central DO in Chile?

Answer 28

1. Cabernet Sauvignon 2. Carménère 3. Merlot

Question 29

In Chile, what are the 4 subregions of Valle Central DO from north to south?

Answer 29

* Maipo Valley * Rapel Valley * Curicó * Maule Valley

Question 30

The subregion Rapel DO has 2 nested DOs. What are they?

Answer 30

1. Colchagua DO 1. Cachapoal DO ## Footnote See [THIS MAP](https://www.gallowebcentral.com/trade-tools/growing-regions/chile/growing-regions.html) that's super easy to absorb for wine regions.

Question 31

The iconic wine "Purple Angel" by Viña Montez is one of Chile’s highest-profile Carmenère, which is made from fruit from this DO.

Answer 31

Colchagua DO

Question 32

Valle del Maipo DO surrounds which city in Chile?

Answer 32

Santiago

Question 33

* Most of the major historical wineries in Chile are located in this DO. * What is the main red grape planted in this DO?

Answer 33

* Valle de Maipo DO * Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 34

What is the name of the cold current that comes up from Antarctica and runs along the west coast of South America? ## Footnote It affects Chile.

Answer 34

Humboldt Current

Question 35

If you had to briefly generalize the red wines of Chile, how might you describe them?

Answer 35

Often big, intense, fruit driven, high-alcohol wines.

Question 36

Name 5 large and important wineries in Chile.

Answer 36

1. Concha y Toro 2. Santa Rita 3. Errázuriz 4. Casa Lapostolle 5. Carmen

Question 37

In which century were grapes first grown in Chile?

Answer 37

16th century (1500s)

Question 38

In which century did Spain enact prohibitive laws restricting wine production in Chile?

Answer 38

17th century (1600s)

Question 39

* In which century did Chile gain political independence and see an influx of European immigrants? * What did this influx of European immigrants lead to?

Answer 39

* 19th century (1800s). * An expansion of viticulture. ## Footnote It was during the 1800s that major grape varieties now grown in Chile arrived in the country.

Question 40

During which decades in the 20th century did Chile see an influx of foreign investment?

Answer 40

1970s-80s

Question 41

# Bonus Question. Which Chilean wine won first place at the 2004 Berlin Tasting?

Answer 41

Viñedo Chadwick ## Footnote Made by Errázuriz. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Read up on the Berlin Tasting [HERE](https://vinedochadwick.cl/the-berlin-tasting).