Chile

Question 1

Chile stretches for nearly ________ miles up the west coast of South America.

Answer 1

3,000

Chile is separated from the remainder of the continent by the Andes Mountains.

Question 2

Viticulture occupies around ________ of Chile’s coastal miles.

Answer 2

800

Most major regions of production are located to the south of the capital city, Santiago.

Question 3

Name the six regional Denominations of Origin (DOs) in Chile from north to south.

Answer 3

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

These regions are crucial for grape growing in Chile.

Question 4

The climate in Chile varies enormously from the northern to southern latitudes, with the northernmost regions being ________.

Answer 4

dry and desert-like

Grapes in these regions are historically used for Pisco production or table grapes.

Question 5

The Humboldt Current influences the climate of Chile’s vineyards by cooling the vines. True or False?

Answer 5

TRUE

The current forces cool sea air inland through river valleys affecting Central Valley vineyards.

Question 6

Chilean wine law established in 1995 instituted the ________ rule.

Answer 6

75%

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

Question 7

What is the minimum alcohol content required by Chilean law for all wines?

Answer 7

11.5%

Wines labeled Reserva and Reserva Especial must have a minimum of 12% abv.

Question 8

Name the leading grape varieties in Chile after Cabernet Sauvignon.

Answer 8

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Merlot
• Chardonnay
• Carmenère
• Syrah

Muscat of Alexandria is also significant but mainly used for distillation.

Question 9

In Atacama, viticulture is only possible through ________.

Answer 9

irrigation

The region’s wines are generally distilled.

Question 10

The Aconcagua DO takes its name from the ________.

Answer 10

Aconcagua River

It is not named after the nearby Argentinean peak.

Question 11

The Maipo Valley is known for being Chile’s most famous winemaking area for ________.

Answer 11

Cabernet Sauvignon

Over 50% of the region’s vineyard area is devoted to this grape.

Question 12

The Rapel Valley is divided into ________ and ________.

Answer 12

Cachapoal and Colchagua

Cabernet Sauvignon is the leading grape in both regions.

Question 13

In the Maule Valley, bulk wines meant for local consumption still comprise a large share of the output. True or False?

Answer 13

TRUE

Although Cabernet recently overtook País as the most planted grape.

Question 14

The Southern Regions DO (Sur) contains three valleys: ________, ________, and ________.

Answer 14

• Itata
• Bío Bío
• Malleco

These regions have sparser cultivation compared to northern areas.

Question 15

In 2024, Chile approved two new DOs: ________ and ________.

Answer 15

• Rapa Nui DO
• Chiloé DO

These are located in new portions of the country.

Question 16

The Chilean Ministry of Agriculture amended wine law in 2012 to support three new geographic terms: ________, ________, and ________.

Answer 16

• Costa
• Entre Cordilleras
• Andes

These terms signify the proximity of a vineyard to the coast or mountains.