Terroir and typicity of Carignan from Maule Valley (Chile): the resurgence of a minority variety

Abstract

Carignan is one of those minor cultivars that have had a major resurgence in the Chilean wine industry, and its production is sold at a price well above the national average. This variety, together with other autochthonous grapevine varieties, makes up a unique heritage in Chilean winemaking, which has given a new identity to the country on the world wine scene. Chilean viticulture is based on the production of the most recognized grapevine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. However, this has caused a massive loss of minority and autochthonous grapevine varieties in certain wine growing regions. Thus, this review summarizes the effects of terroir of the Maule Valley on the typicity of Carignan. Carignan grapevines growing in the sites closer to the Pacific Ocean, such as Truquilemu and Ciénaga de Name, present a high concentration of several amino acids and volatile compounds in grapes and wines, while Carignan grapevines growing in the sites further east, towards the Andes Mountains, provide grapes and wines with a high alcohol and phenolic concentration. Therefore, Maule Valley provides unique edaphoclimatic conditions that allow differences in the composition and style of the Carignan wines.

Resurgence of minority and autochthonous grapevine varieties in South America: a review of their oenological potential

“…During the last few years, certain neglected grapevine ( Vitis vinifera L.) varieties within the Chilean wine industry have emerged, mainly due to their oenological potential and the changes in wine consumers' habits . This resurgence has allowed the economic and social recovery of a part of the small wine‐growers of the Maule Valley, who cultivate the oldest Chilean varieties . Carignan variety (Fig.…”

“…This devastated the viticulture of the Valleys of Maule, Biobío and Itata (Fig. ) . The aim was to improve the color and freshness of the wines produced from the País variety, which dominated the viticulture of the area .…”

“…Hillsides or other soils with limited depth or fertility provide it with a good vegetative / productive balance, optimizing fruit quality . Carignan adapts very well to windy conditions and its shoots lignify early in the season and mature well . This variety is very sensitive to Uncinula necator , which is controlled through preventive programs targeting this disease …”

“…Carignan adapts very well to windy conditions and its shoots lignify early in the season and mature well . This variety is very sensitive to Uncinula necator , which is controlled through preventive programs targeting this disease …”

“…A few grapevine varieties such as Cabernet‐Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, among others, thus account for a large surface of the vineyard planted worldwide . However, the introduction and spread of these grapevine varieties, mostly in South America, has caused a massive loss of minority and autochthonous grapevine varieties traditionally grown in different wine‐growing regions . Moreover, the disappearance of a large number of old grapevine varieties and the varietal homogenization of the vineyard entail an increase in genetic vulnerability in relation to the spread of pathogens against which the cultivated varieties are not resistant …”