17. South America Flashcards
Which country produces the most wine in South America? Chile or Argentina?
Argentina
What is the name of the mountain range that forms the border between Argentina and Chile?
Andes
What is the general climate of the Argentine wine regions?
Continental
What is the name of the winds that cool - and can damage - vines in Argentina?
Zonda Winds
What is a common vineyard threat around harvest season in Argentina?
Hail
What are the three traditional grapes of Argentina which are often used for high volume wine?
Cereza, Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica
The pink skin grapes of Cereza, Criolla Grande, and Criolla Chica account for roughly what percentage of total plantings in Argentina?
1/3
What are the top three red grapes of Argentina?
Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the top four white grapes of Argentina?
Torrontes Riojano, Torrontes Mendocino, Torrontes Sanjuanino, Chardonnay
What are the two key grape varieties Argentina is best known for?
Malbec and Torrontes
Describe a Malbec from Argentina: Color, flavors
Deeply pigmented (inky, opaque), black fruit/plum flavors
Of the three types of Torrontes, which is most widely grown?
Torrontes Riojano
Describe a Torrontes wine from Argentina.
Light body, fruity, floral aromas
Which grapes is also referred to as Douce Noir in France and Charbano in California?
Bonardo
What is Bonardo referred to as in France?
Douce Noir
What is Bonardo known as in California?
Charbano
Describe the Argentinian wine classification system.
IP, IG, DOC
What are the two DOCs of Argentina?
Lucan de Cuyo (Mendoza) and San Rafael (Mendoza)
What is distinctive about Lucan de Cayo and San Rafael areas of Mendoza?
They are currently the only two DOCs in Argentina.
What is the INV of Argentina?
Institute National de Viniviticultura - the regulating body for the wine industry in Argentina.
What are Vinos Finos?
Wines noted as the highest quality wines, as per the INV.
Roughly 20% of Argentinian wines earn this designation.
Approximately what percentage of wine produced in Argentina receives the Vinos Finos designation?
Approximately 20%
Name two key stipulations to earn the Vinos Finos designation:
Wines must be from premium grapes and contain a minimum of 85% of the stated variety
(This suggest the Cereza and Criolla grapes will not be made into Vinos Finos wine).
What is the name of the small (65 acre) region in the very northwest corner of Argentina?
Juyjuy
Where is the Moya Vineyard? What is its claim to fame?
The Moya Vineyards is in the Juyjuy wine region, it is noted as the highest elevation vineyard in Argentina at 10,900 feet
Where is the sub region of Cafayate? What is it known for?
Cafayate is a sub region of Salta. It’s known for high altitude Torrontes Riojano as well as Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is the name of the subregion of Salta known for high altitude Torrontes, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cafayate. Cafayate is home to a majority of the vineyards in Salta.
Where is the Altura Maxima vineyard?
In the Molina subregion of Salta. Altura Maxima is noted as an ultra high altitude vineyard.
What are the two cited subregions of the Salta wine region?
Argentina’s Salta wine region is noted with two key subregions: Cafayate (where the majority of the vineyards are) and Molinos (home to Altura Maxima, an ultra high altitude vineyard known for Malbec.)
Which grape is planted in the Altura Maxima subregion of Salta?
Malbec
What region is the Calchaqui Valley in?
Tucuman
True or False: More than 40% of Catamarca vine are planted to native Criolla varieties.
TRUE
Where are the Famatima Valleys of Argentina? In what region?
La Rioja
Is La Rioja more white or red dominant?
Red, but by only 1%. Red grapes represents 51% of the plantings in La Rioja.