Question

Describe the main influences on the climate and weather in Elqui, Casablanca Valley and Maule Valley in
Chile? (40% weighting)
Explain how factors in the growing environment determine the style of red wine produced in Elqui,
Casablanca Valley and Maule Valley. (60%)

Response
Describe

Elqui Valley
This is one of Chile’s northernmost regions at ~30ºS latitude — a very warm climate (Mediterranean)
overall, but moderated by the altitude given by the merging of the Coast Range & Andes.

As altitude is high & latitude low, UV is also very intense.

The region borders the Atacama Desert so is very dry (<100mm annual rain) and irrigation is essential.

The valley runs east–west so there is some cooling influence from the Pacific Ocean and breeze which
helps reduce fungal disease and rot risk.

Casablanca
Located south of Elqui, this is one of Chile’s cooler regions; the climate is cool maritime. There is strong
cooling breeze from the Pacific Ocean (only 30km away) and surrounding mountains prevent cool air from
escaping.

But it is too far from the Pacific to benefit from the moderating effects of water, so frost can be a concern.

Pacific influences are particularly pronounced here as the coast range has a gap, allowing cool winds
through.

The rainfall is mostly sufficient for dry farming, but the humidity from the Pacific trapped by the mountains
increases risk of rot & fungal disease. The east, at the Andes foothills, is slightly warmer & more sheltered
from the ocean.

Maule
This is a densely planted region in Central valley w/ a very warm & sunny climate, minimal rainfall as the
Andes & Coast Range part to form a gap in the middle, so there is ample protection from Pacific breezes
(cooling). The topography is flat and low altitude so the climate is homogenous and sun exposure is quite
even across the whole region.
Explain

Elqui
Elqui is best known for Syrah, amongst other Rhône varieties. Syrah here is usually deep purple,
medium(+) intensity nose & palate, medium(+) body, medium(+) acidity, high tannin of a ripe nature, high
alcohol, long finish. Good–outstanding quality, medium–premium prices, possibly suitable for bottle
ageing. Flavours & aromas of black pepper, ripe plum, violet, blackberry, often w/ oak spice (cinnamon,
clove, nutmeg).

The fresh medium(+) acidity in combination with the ripe fruit is given by the altitude, which gives a high
diurnal range and slow ripening so sugar accumulation is slow — full ripeness (-> high alcohol) is achieved
without jamminess.

High tannins are given by the intense UV, as is the deep colour — but the tannins receive enough sunlight
to have full phenolic ripeness. The intensity of flavour is given by low yields: the dry climate needs
irrigation, yet land is rugged & hard to mechanise so must be worked by hand. The cost of labour & lack of
economies of scale motivates high quality production via low yields from judicious irrigation.

Casablanca
This region is best known for Syrah & Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir tends to have medium ruby colour, medium(+) intensity nose & palate, medium(-) body, medium
tannins of a grippy nature, medium alcohol, medium(+) finish. Flavours of strawberry & blackberry w/
herbal notes, usually restrained use of oak flavours. Syrah has similar characteristics but with a slightly
fuller body, higher tannins, deeper purple colour, and more peppery flavours. All tend to be good–v. good,
medium–premium price.

Casablanca is one of the coolest regions in Chile so acidity tends to be higher and flavours fresher w/
herbal elements quite common.

The cooling winds encourage thicker skins so tannin tends to be higher and gripper, whilst the low altitude
(-> low UV, relatively) does not always encourage full phenolic ripeness, so grippy texture is common.

The cooler climate encourages medium alcohol instead of high, and yields are naturally low due to coulure
from wind, bud damage from spring frosts, and the tendency to dry farm, so intensity tends to be on the
high side and quality is a priority over quantity.

The region is relatively small and most land holdings are small so economies of scale are not present, so
prices tend to be at least medium–premium.

Maule
Maule is a region of flat fertile land planted at high density with Pais, Carignan, Cab. Sauvignon, Merlot, &
Carmenère. The majority of production is simple, high-volume, inexpensive acceptable–good quality for
the mass market — mechanisation and wire trellising on this flat land is easy and ripening in the warm
sunny climate is reliable; the fertile soil encourages high yields. Irrigation is easy to install and commonly
used, giving wines of dilute early-drinking nature (med(-) intensity, med. body). Alcohol tends to be
elevated as the warm climate means quick sugar accumulation, yet tannins may not be particularly ripe as
the warm climate encourages earlier harvest, so less sunshine hours and less phenolic ripeness.

However there is a lot of old vine Pais & Carignan giving lower yields which must be hand harvested due to
bush vine training. These tend to make wines of medium–medium(+) intensity with a long finish, very good
quality, premium price: the bush vines cannot be mechanised so they are of no interest to high-volume
producers; quality producers have come to appreciate their potential for quality. Irrigation here is possible
but not necessary — dry farming is common and the water stress further contributes to intense aromas,
concentration, & complexity of flavour. However the cost of maintaining these vines is passed to the
consumer (-> premium price).