CSW Chapter 17- South America (Chile, Brazil, Uruguay)

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How much of Chile’s wine is exported?

Chile

Which of these countries is phylloxera free?

Humboldt Current

Cold ocean current that flows along Chile’s coastline from the polar seas

Central Valley

Area of Chile where most vineyards are found, along with the capital city of Santiago

Bordeaux

Where were most of Chile’s vines brought from during the mid-1800s?

Cabernet Sauvignon

#1 grape of Chile

Carmenere

Grape that has thrived in Chile, earning itself the name “Merlot Chileno”, despite not being Merlot

Carmenere

In Chile, these wines are rich in calor, redolent of red fruits, spice, and Barrie’s, and has softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah

4 Top red grapes of Chile

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

2 top white grapes of Chile

Sauvignon Vert

Aka Sauvigonasse aka Friulano. Grape that was mistaken for Sauvignon Blanc in Chile, although now replaced with true SB

75%

Chilean requirement % for place of origin, vintage, and variety on a wine label

DO

Chilean wine law system

Costa, Entre Cordilleras, Andes

3 geographical districts of Chile

Atacama, Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, Del Sur, Austral Region

6 main wine regions of Chile

Atacama

• Chile’s northernmost wine region

• On the border with desert of the same name

• Two main regions- Hausdorff and Copiapo Valleys

• Mainly table grapes or pisco

• Chard, PN, SB top varietals

Coquimbo

• northernmost FINE wine region

• Elqui Valley- sub region known for top Syrah. Also makes Cab, merlot, carmenere, chard, SB

• Limari Valley - sub region known for mineral driven whites, mainly Chard. Influenced by Humboldt Current

• Choapa Valley- sub region at Chile’s most narrow point. Makes Cab and Syrah

Aconcagua

• named for the river of the same name, has 3 sub regions

• Aconcagua Valley- warmest sub region with Mediterranean climate, white grapes on the coast with cab/merlot/syrah inland

• Casablanca Vallet- sub region, cooler/most coastal/maritime climate. 75% white grapes- mainly Chard and SB, starting to plant PN

• San Antonio Valley- sub region with cool climate and slow ripening grapes. PN/Chard/Syrah/SB top varietals

  • Leyda Valley- known for minerality and complexity bc of granitic soils and breezy climate

Central Valley

• 80% of Chile’s wine growing area

• Maipo Valley- historical heart of country surrounding Santiago and center of winemaking culture with very old vines. Known for balanced reds made mainly from Cab, followed by Merlot, Chard, Carmenere, SB, Syrah

• Rapel Valley- mainly red wines made in the Cachapoal (warm Cab/Merlot/Syrah) and Colchagua Valleys (full bodied premium Cab/Syrah/Carmenere)

• Curico Valley- inland, SB, Cab, and Carmenere

• Maule Valley- southern end, largest/oldest subregions, cooling ocean influence, lots of organic viticulture. Cab is #1 followed by Malbec, Cab Franc, Carmenere. Reputation for dry farmed/old vine Carignan and pipeno

Pipeno

Chilean Speciality of Maule Valley (Central Valley), rustic style of wine made using Pais/Mission grapes

Del Sur

• south of the Central Valley, cooler and rainier climate, maritime influence

• 10% of Chile’s production. Long dedicated to Pais and Moscatel

• Itata Valley- plants lots of Pais and Moscatel, but know Cab/Syrah/Merlot and restored Carignan

• Bio Bio Valley- Riesling, Chard, SB

• Malleco Valley- chard and PN, very small

Austral Valley

• southernmost wine region of Chile

• 2 subregions- Cautin and Osborne Valleys

• SB/Chard/PN

• Experimental, due to climate change

DO and IP

Brazil wine classification system, has specific regulations as to grape varieties, wine styles, and viticultural/production methods are often included in the appellation guidelines

Serra Gaucha

• winemaking region of Brazil, in state of Rio Grande do Sol

• “Cradle of Brazilian wine production”

• Established by Italian and German immigrants

• Mainly red wine, some white and sparkling

• Merlot/Cab/Cab Franc/Tannat

• Sparkling = chard/PN/Grasevina/malvasia/muscat

Vale dos Vinhedos DO

• in Rio Grande do Sol, first DO of Brazil, popular center of winemaking culture with tourism

• Requires the use of vinifera grapes

  • Reds- merlot, cab, cab franc, tannat

  • Whites- chard or Grasevina

  • Sparkling- chard/pn/grasevina

Altos de Pinto Bandeira DO

• in Rio Grade do Sol

• Registered in 2022

• Approved for the production of traditional method sparkling wine only, made from Chard, PN, and Grasevina

Campanula Gaucha IP

• in Rio Grande do Sol

• Home to some of the oldest vineyards in Brazil

• Warm climate/granite and limestone soil

• Cab, Tempranillo, and Tannat

Serra do Sudeste

• In Rio grande do sol

• Better known for vineyards than wine production, as most grapes are transported to Serra Gaucha for winemaking

Campos de Cima da Serra

• in Rio grande do sol

• North/northwest of Serra Gaucha

• Cool climate and long growing season

• Cab/cab franc/tannat and Riesling/pg/gewurz

Vinhos de Altitude de Santa Catarina IP

• in the state of Santa Caterina

• Vineyards must be planted at minimum of 2755 ft elevation

• Cab/merlot/PN/chard/SB

Vale do Sao Francisco IP

• in the states of Bahia and Pernambugo

• Tropical semi arid, made possible by irrigation

• Single variety and red blends, and sparkling

High humidity and subtropical climate

Climate of Uruguay

Canelones District

Important winemaking area of Uruguay, 60% of commercial vineyards are here , along with the bug producers

Maldonado District

Located in Uruguay, near famous seaside resort of Punta del Este. Rocky soils, cool climate, wine tourism route.

Colonia District

In Uruguay, southwest of the country along Rio de la Plata estuary. Historic center known for Cab

Tannat

Top red grape of Uruguay. Hearty, tannic red grape first brought to Uruguay from the French and Spanish Basque Country. aka Harriague

Albariño

Top white grape of Uruguay