29 - Argentina Flashcards
How have changes in domestic consumption and economic openness impacted the Argentine wine industry?
- Production previously sustained via very high domestic consumption of cheap wine made with Criolla grapes
- Domestic consumption fell 70s
Meanwhile economic openness:
- Encouraged FDI
- Famous Wine consultants
- Cheap peso meant price competitive + cheap to invest
How is Argentina able to produce high volumes of good quality wine despite many vineyards being located at low latitudes?
- High altitude → Diurnal
- Low latitude + high altitude = intense sunlight plus high UV → high tannins and anthocyanins
What natural factor gives Argentina its continental climate? What does this mean for viticulture?
Andes → rainshadow, rainfall LOW
- Irrigation essential - meltwater distributed by dams and channels
- Lowers disease pressure
What other natural factor reduces disease pressure? What are the downsides of this and how can it be mitigated?
- Strong winds from mountains reduce humidity e.g. the hot Zonda
- Blows in late spring and early summer → water stress + flowering and fruit set + damage to grapes
- Planting poplar trees as windbreaks
What other natural hazards exist in Argentina?
- Hail - damage grapes + reduce Y → netting v. expensive or have sites across regions
- Spring frost in flat or lower elevation areas esp. Mendoza
How does El Nino impact Argentina?
Every 2-10 years → higher than ave rainfall/hailstorms → crop damage, disease, yields
E.g. 2016 - production down as much as 40% in Mendoza
How does soil vary in different parts of the country?
Why are calcareous soils especially prized?
- Mostly alluvial
- High altitude more calcareous rock, little organic matter → low yields
- Lower altitude gravel, sand, silt
- Lowest altitude loamy-clay
- Calcareous soils retain water + cooler
How did vine pull schemes in the 70s/80s impact hectarage, grape varieties planted and old vines.
- Ha fell
- Lots of Malbec scrubbed up
- Nonetheless, 30% of vines are >40yrs old
Describe the two types of irrigation widely practised. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
Flood Irrigation water released when needed, equivalent to a rainstorm, used in 70% of vineyards
- Cheap
- Water → deep → encouraging root growth
- Water intensive → shortages →. bore holes as alternative
- Only suitable for flat vineyards
Drip irrigation water released slowly from hose pipes run along trellising
- Uses less water → sustainable
- Cheaper
- Expensive to install + maintain → water must be filtered, drippers can clog
- encourage shallow roots → dependent on irrigation
Why is the timing of irrigation important?
Larger amounts → winter, limited in growing season → encourage root development + prevent vigourousness
What traditional training system is widely used and for which styles of wine?
What is becoming more popular and why?
Parral (pergola) which provides shade and keeps grapes away from hot earth → Torrontes + vigorous, high Y Criolla varieties
VSP - enable canopy mngt + drip irrigation
Why might Argentine growers continue to graft their vines in the absence of phylloxera?
Selection of rootstocks → resistance, drought and nematodes
How has investment improved viticulture in Argentina? (5)
- Drip irrigation → enables RDI
- Improved canopy mngt → VSP
- Clonal section
- Picking times
- Research on soil
While organic viticulture is becoming more popular, why does the number of certified organic vineyards remain low?
- Cost of certification
- Not a distinguishing factor given how little most vineyards spray
Describe the characteristics and style produced by the criolla varieties.
- Pink-skinned grapes such as Cereza or Criolla Grande
- Produce inexp wines for domestic market
- 20% of vineyard area
Describe the evolution of red winemaking in Argentina.
Traditional large oak with some oxidation
Modern late harvest, temp controlled, new oak → full body and ripe fruit
New Wave earlier picking → fresher style, wild yeast, whole bunch/berry ferments, less extraction, diversity of vessels e.g. Zuccardi
Super Prem Length ageing process often from single Vineyards
Describe why Mendoza is able to produce both inexpensive and super-premium wines.
Range of altitudes
Topography N/E Mendoza → flat plains → mechanisation + flood irrigation
Water availability Northern/Eastern Mendoza have access to Mendoza River → plentiful water vs. drip irrigation in Uco
Soils alluvial soils in lower regions have greater fertility vs. cooler limestone or clay soils
Latitude variation S Mendoza → mod summer temps
Which departments within Mendoza are known for producing HQ Malbec?
Central Mendoza
1. Lujan de Cuyo DOC - 900-1,100m, many old vines with 24mnths ageing and 12 in oak
2. Lujan de Cuyo GI - Las Compuertas - higher altitude –> med(+) acid and firm tannins –> ageability
3. Maipu - lower vineyards, many old vines –> intensely fruity, full-bodied, softer tannins
Uco Valley
1. Tupungato - highest area of already high altitude Uco Valley, Gualtallary district is 1,100-1,600m + limestone soils –> herbal character
2. San Carlos - Paraje Altamira, stoney alluvial soils at marginally lower altitude than Tupungato
Describe the growing conditions and wines of San Juan.
Lower + hotter → planted with Criolla grapes - plantings and region has been shrinking
Syrah most widely planted
Describe the wines of La Rioja. Name a significant producer from the region.
High vol from range of grapes incl. Torrontés, CS, Malbec, Syrah
La Riojana co-op
