Chile Wine Guide for Introductory Sommelier Level 1
Here’s a beginner-friendly breakdown of Chile for your Introductory Sommelier Course. Chile is a major wine producer in South America, known for its diverse climates, sustainable practices, and iconic grape varieties like Carmenère.
Key Topics to Study for Chile
1. Climate & Soils
Climate:
Mediterranean Climate: Warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Andes Mountains: Provide cool air and irrigation from snowmelt, helping to moderate temperatures.
Pacific Ocean: The Humboldt Current brings cool breezes, especially to coastal regions, creating ideal conditions for cool-climate varieties.
Rainfall: Low rainfall in most regions, with irrigation often necessary.
Diverse Microclimates: Coastal, valley, and mountain zones allow for a wide range of grape varieties.
Soils:
Alluvial Soils: Found in valleys, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.
Granite and Clay: Found in coastal regions, suitable for white varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Volcanic Soils: Found in some high-altitude areas, contributing to minerality in wines.
2. Wine-Producing Regions
Chile’s wine regions are organized into three main zones: Costa (Coastal), Entre Cordilleras (Between the Mountains), and Andes (Mountain). The most important regions to know are:
Central Valley:
Maipo Valley:
Known as the "Bordeaux of South America."
Famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.
Sub-regions: Alto Maipo (higher altitude, elegant wines) and Central Maipo (richer, fuller-bodied wines).
Colchagua Valley:
Known for Carmenère, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Produces bold, fruit-forward reds.
Rapel Valley:
Includes Colchagua and Cachapoal sub-regions.
Known for Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Curicó Valley:
Produces a wide range of red and white wines.
Known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Maule Valley:
One of Chile’s oldest wine regions.
Known for Carignan and Pais (Mission grape).
Coastal Regions:
Casablanca Valley:
Cool-climate region influenced by the Pacific Ocean.
Known for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
San Antonio Valley:
Includes the Leyda Valley sub-region.
Known for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Northern Regions:
Elqui Valley:
High-altitude region known for Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc.
Also produces Pisco (a distilled spirit).
Limarí Valley:
Known for Chardonnay with minerality and freshness.
Southern Regions:
Itata Valley:
Known for old-vine Pais and Cinsault.
Produces fresh, lighter-style wines.
Bio Bio Valley:
Cool-climate region producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
3. Grape Varietals Associated with Particular Regions
Chile is known for its Bordeaux-style reds, but it also produces a variety of other red and white wines.
Red Grapes:
Carmenère:
Chile’s signature grape, originally from Bordeaux.
Produces medium- to full-bodied wines with flavors of red fruit, green pepper, and spice.
Key Regions: Colchagua Valley, Maipo Valley.
Cabernet Sauvignon:
Chile’s most widely planted grape.
Produces bold, structured wines with black fruit and herbal notes.
Key Regions: Maipo Valley, Colchagua Valley.
Syrah:
Produces spicy, full-bodied wines.
Key Regions: Elqui Valley, Colchagua Valley.
Pinot Noir:
Grown in cooler regions, producing elegant, fruit-forward wines.
Key Regions: Casablanca Valley, San Antonio Valley.
Carignan:
Known for fresh, high-acid wines.
Key Region: Maule Valley.
White Grapes:
Sauvignon Blanc:
Produces crisp, aromatic wines with citrus and herbal notes.
Key Regions: Casablanca Valley, San Antonio Valley.
Chardonnay:
Produces a range of styles, from fresh and unoaked to rich and oaky.
Key Regions: Casablanca Valley, Limarí Valley.
Riesling:
Produces aromatic, high-acid wines.
Key Region: Bio Bio Valley.
4. Notable Wine Styles
Carmenère: Medium- to full-bodied, with red fruit, green pepper, and spice.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Bold, structured, and age-worthy.
Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp, aromatic, and citrus-driven.
Chardonnay: Ranges from fresh and mineral-driven to rich and oaky.
Syrah: Spicy, full-bodied, and fruit-forward.
Pais: Light, fresh, and fruity, often from old vines.
5. Labelling Terms
Reserva: Indicates a wine with some oak aging.
Red Reserva: Aged for at least 6 months.
White Reserva: Aged for at least 4 months.
Gran Reserva: Indicates longer aging and higher quality.
Single Vineyard: Indicates wines made from grapes grown in a specific vineyard.
Estate Bottled: Indicates the wine was produced and bottled on the estate.
6. Deductive Tasting for Chilean Wines
Sight: Reds are deep ruby; whites are pale to medium lemon.
Nose: Reds (blackberry, plum, green pepper, spice); Whites (citrus, tropical fruit, herbal notes).
Palate: Full-bodied reds with ripe tannins; whites with fresh acidity and fruit-forward profiles.
Tips for Studying Chile
Focus on Carmenère: Understand its flavor profile and why it thrives in Chile.
Learn Key Regions: Be able to identify Maipo Valley, Colchagua Valley, and Casablanca Valley on a map.
Taste Chilean Wines: Try examples of Carmenère, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon to understand their styles.
