1- Overview of Wine History in South America

Question 1

Arrival of Grapes

Answer 1

Spanish Conquistadors by way of Mexico in the 16th Century. Planted Criollas seeds

Question 2

Francisco Pizzaro

Answer 2

Leader of the conquistadors conquest again the Incas

Question 3

First Vineyards Planted

Answer 3

1548 South of Lima, Peru. Criollas

Question 4

Francisco de Carabantes

Answer 4

Jesuit Priest who planted the first grapes in Chile in 1548. Likely Pais

Question 5

Juan Cedron

Answer 5

Spanish missionary who brought vine cuttings to Northern Argentina, Likely Pais and Criollas, and Argentina’s first winemaker.

Question 6

Huarpe Tribe

Answer 6

Established the first vines in Mendoza region in the 16th century, utilizing Incan irrigation methods.

Question 7

Venezuela first grapes

Answer 7

Brought by Spaniards in the 1520s to Coro and Cumana

Question 8

Bolivia first grapes

Answer 8

Brought by the Spanish and Portuguese in the late 1400s into Mizque

Question 9

Colombia

Answer 9

No written History

Question 10

Ecuador

Answer 10

No written History

Question 11

Martim Afonso de Sousa

Answer 11

First plantings in Sao Vicente, Brazil, in the southeast in 1532. (did not thrive). Again in 1551 in Tatuape, Sao Paulo

Question 12

Rio Grande do Sul beginnings

Answer 12

Brazil, Jesuits arrived, expanded and maintained the vineyards.

Question 13

Uruguay beginnings

Answer 13

Spanish settlers brought grapevines during the colonial period. No other reference until 1800s

Question 14

Mercosur Free Trade Agreement

Answer 14

1991- shifted the focus to international consumption. Changing grapes and style for foreign palates.

Question 15

Modern Growth in Chile (5 events)

Answer 15

• 1990s sharp decline in domestic consumption.
• MFTA
• Miguel Torres
• European sponsored enterprises
• 1990s to 2000s- explosion of acreage, new grape varieties and push into new regions.

Question 16

Miguel Torres

Answer 16

From Penedes Spain. Bought old winery in Curico, Chile in 1979. Planted French varieties and imported stainless steel and oak barrels. Sets new standard for quality in Chile.

Question 17

Los Vascos

Answer 17

European sponsored enterprise between Rothschilds and Eyzaguirre

Question 18

Modern Growth in Argentina (5 Events)

Answer 18

• 70s and 80s bleak with Falkland wars, corruption, and consumption down.
• 1983 Democracy restored
• 1989 economic collapse and government subsidized pull up of old Malbec vines
• Nicolas Catena and Paul Hobbs in Mendoza in 1980s
• Arnaldo Etchart and Michel Rolland in Salta in 1987

Question 19

Nicolas Cantena Contributions

Answer 19

Studied at UC Berkley and mentored by Modavi in the 70s. Returned to Mendoza in the 1980s and assisted by Paul Hobbs lowered yields, timed and limited irrigation, and clean practices in the winery.

Question 20

Arnaldo Etchart

Answer 20

Assisted by Michel Rolland (Bordeaux) in increasing quality in Salta region in the 1987

Question 21

Modern Brazil events.

Answer 21

Mainly planted with hybrids and labrusca varities. 1960s government subsidized “reconversion” was at first resisted in the co-op. Now has a small fine wine offering from independent producers growing vinifera.

Question 22

Modern Uruguay events

Answer 22

Mainly planted with hybrids and labrusca varities. Government subsidized reconversion after local consumption down in the 80s. Led by Reinaldo de Lucaa tannat now signature grape.