Chile

Question 1

What is the length of Chile along the west coast of South America?

Answer 1

Nearly 3,000 miles

Question 2

What geographical feature separates Chile from the rest of the South American continent?

Answer 2

The Andes Mountains

Question 3

How many major regional Denominations of Origin (DOs) are there in Chile?

Answer 3

Six

Question 4

List the six regional Denominations of Origin (DOs) in Chile.

Answer 4

• Atacama
• Coquimbo
• Iqui Valley
• Aconcagua
• Valle Central (Central Valley)
• Sur (Southern Regions)
• Austral Region

Question 5

Which region in Chile is known for having the most suitable vineyards for fine wine?

Answer 5

Central Valley

Question 6

What climate characteristics influence the vineyards in Chile’s Central Valley?

Answer 6

Proximity of the Andes cools nighttime temperatures and the Humboldt Current cools the vines

Question 7

What effect does the Humboldt Current have on the Central Valley vineyards?

Answer 7

Forces cool sea air inland through the river valleys

Question 8

What is the primary type of climate in the northernmost regions of Atacama and Coquimbo?

Answer 8

Dry and desert-like

Question 9

What type of production historically occurred in the Atacama and Coquimbo regions?

Answer 9

Pisco production or table grapes

Question 10

What is essential for irrigation in the Central Valley and Aconcagua regions?

Answer 10

Irrigation

Question 11

How does rainfall and temperature change in the southernmost areas of viticulture in Chile?

Answer 11

Higher rainfall and a cooler, shorter growing season

Question 12

What is a significant geographical variation in Chile’s major regions?

Answer 12

Altitude variations as vineyard plantings climb from the coast into the Coastal Ranges and Andean foothills

Question 13

What is the 75% rule established by Chilean wine law in 1995?

Answer 13

Vintage, variety, and denomination of origin must comprise a minimum 75% of the blend if listed on the bottle.

Question 14

What minimum percentage do many wineries in Chile observe for vintage, variety, and denomination of origin?

Answer 14

85%

Question 15

What are the minimum alcohol content requirements for wines in Chile?

Answer 15

11.5% for all wines; 12% for Reserva and Reserva Especial; 12.5% for Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva.

Question 16

What is required for Reserva Especial and Gran Reserva wines in Chile?

Answer 16

They must spend mandatory time in oak.

Question 17

List the leading grape varieties in Chile after Cabernet Sauvignon.

Answer 17

• Sauvignon Blanc (and Sauvignon Vert)
• Merlot
• Chardonnay
• Carmenère
• Syrah

Question 18

What percentage of total acreage in Chile do red grapes account for?

Answer 18

Over 70%

Question 19

In which region is viticulture only possible through irrigation?

Answer 19

Atacama

Question 20

What is the main use of Muscat of Alexandria in Chile?

Answer 20

Distillation

Question 21

What regions in Coquimbo are starting to develop a reputation for their wines?

Answer 21

Elqui and Limarí

Question 22

What grape variety is gaining attention in Elqui’s vineyards?

Answer 22

Syrah

Question 23

What type of soil and climate is proving suitable for Chardonnay in Limarí?

Answer 23

Limestone soils and cooler climate

Question 24

What is the Aconcagua DO named after?

Answer 24

The Aconcagua River

Question 25

What type of soils dominate the Aconcagua Valley?

Answer 25

Alluvial soils

Question 26

Which grape varieties dominate the Aconcagua Valley's vineyards?

Answer 26

* Cabernet Sauvignon * Merlot

Question 27

What is the significance of Errázuriz's 'Seña' in the wine industry?

Answer 27

It placed ahead of Château Lafite and Château Margaux in the 2004 Berlin Tasting.

Question 28

What are the two coastal subregions of Aconcagua?

Answer 28

* Casablanca * San Antonio

Question 29

What has made Casablanca a prominent zone of production?

Answer 29

It is known for fresh, crisp and fruity Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Question 30

What is the Central Valley DO known for?

Answer 30

It is Chile's oldest and most established winemaking region.

Question 31

List the subregions of the Central Valley DO from north to south.

Answer 31

* Maipo Valley * Rapel Valley * Curicó * Maule Valley

Question 32

What grape variety is most associated with the warm Maipo Valley?

Answer 32

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 33

What percentage of Maipo Valley is devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 33

Over 50%

Question 34

Name some established houses based in the Maipo Valley.

Answer 34

* Concha y Toro * Santa Rita * Cousiño Macul

Question 35

What are some premium red wines from the subregion of Puente Alto?

Answer 35

* 'Don Melchor' * 'Viñedo Chadwick' Cabernet Sauvignon * 'Almaviva'

Question 36

What achievement did the 2000 'Viñedo Chadwick' attain?

Answer 36

Took first place in the 2004 Berlin Tasting.

Question 37

What are the two main divisions of the Rapel Valley?

Answer 37

Cachapoal and Colchagua

Question 38

Which grape is the leading variety in the Rapel Valley?

Answer 38

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 39

What grape is growing in importance in the Rapel Valley and may soon eclipse Merlot?

Answer 39

Carmenère

Question 40

What characterizes the climate and soils of the Colchagua region?

Answer 40

Warm climate and fertile soils

Question 41

What type of wines are producers in Colchagua finding success with?

Answer 41

Premium wines from higher-altitude eastern subregions

Question 42

What two areas were elevated to DO status in 2018?

Answer 42

Los Lingues and Apalta

Question 43

What is the source of Casa Lapostolle's 'Clos Apalta'?

Answer 43

Apalta in eastern Colchagua

Question 44

Which wine is one of Chile's highest-profile Carmenère varietal wines?

Answer 44

'Purple Angel' by Viña Montes

Question 45

What regions comprise the remainder of the Central Valley DO?

Answer 45

Maule Valley and Curicó

Question 46

What grape recently overtook País as the most planted grape in Maule?

Answer 46

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 47

What are the two DO zones within Curicó?

Answer 47

Lontué and Teno

Question 48

Which company set up operations in Curicó in the late 1970s?

Answer 48

Miguel Torres

Question 49

What are the primary grape varieties planted in the Southern Regions DO?

Answer 49

País and Muscat de Alexandria

Question 50

What is the status of Muscat de Alexandria in Chile?

Answer 50

Third most planted white variety

Question 51

What characterizes the Malleco region?

Answer 51

Tiny region with just a few hectares of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Question 52

What two new DOs were approved in Chile in 2024?

Answer 52

Rapa Nui DO and Chiloé DO

Question 53

What are the three new geographic terms introduced by the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture in 2012?

Answer 53

Costa, Entre Cordilleras, and Andes

Question 54

What does 'Costa' signify in the new geographic designations?

Answer 54

Proximity of a vineyard to the coast

Question 55

What does 'Entre Cordilleras' describe?

Answer 55

Valley areas between the coastal range and the Andes

Question 56

What percentage of grapes must be harvested in the appropriate region to qualify for the new designations?

Answer 56

At least 85%

Question 57

What is the significant influence on viticulture highlighted by the new geographic indications?

Answer 57

The sea and Chile's mountains

Question 58

True or False: The early criticism of the new appellation system in Chile focuses on its meaningfulness to consumers.

Answer 58

True

Question 59

Map

Answer 59