37. Argentina

Question 1

Describe the climate and geography of Argentina. What are the climate hazards?

Answer 1

• close to the Andes
• irrigated oases in middle of the desert
• 600 meters or more above sea level
• rain shadow of the Andes
• water from rivers flowing down mountains
• flood irrigation, drip irrigation
• spring frosts
• summer hail (netting)

Question 2

What is the vineyard area with the highest altitude in Argentina? What is the altitude here?

Answer 2

Salta

-2000 meters or more

Question 3

What vine training methods are used in Argentina?

Answer 3

• pergola system (parral): lifted grapes away from the heated ground, grapes hang below leaf canopy for shade (Torrontes)
• vertical trellises (black grapes)

Question 4

What are the top 3 black varieties in Argentina?

Answer 4

1. Malbec
2. Bonarda
3. Cabernet Sauvignon
   Others: Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

Question 5

Describe Argentinian Malbec. How does the style differ at different altitudes?

Answer 5

• deeply colored
• full body
• black fruit
• high levels of smooth tannins
• high quality are matured in new oak = subtle spice

lower altitudes: fuller body, richer black fruit
higher altitudes: elegant, fresh, floral

Question 6

Describe Bonarda.

Answer 6

• second most planted variety in Argentina
• late ripening
• deeply colored
• high acid
• high tannin

style 1

• high yield
• easy drinking
• medium to deep color
• fruity raspberry and blackberry aromas

style 2

• controlled yields
• concentration
• more structured

Question 7

Describe Argentinian wines made from international grape varieties.

Answer 7

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Syrah
• Merlot
• Tempranillo
• Pinot Noir
• concentrated ripe fruit
• toasty notes from oak

Question 8

What are the two main white grape varieties of Argentina? What are some other white grapes grown here?

Answer 8

1. Torrontes
2. Chardonnay

Other:
Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, Pedro Gimenez

Question 9

Describe Torrontes. Where do the best examples come from?

Answer 9

-best examples: high altitude vineyards in Cafayete regions of Salta

• intense fruity, floral perfume
• medium body
• acidity
• stone fruit
• melon
• typically fermented in inert vessels
• drink young

Question 10

What is Pedro Gimenez?

Answer 10

• white grape variety with the greatest plantings
• typically used for cheap domestic wines
• in decline

Question 11

Describe Argentina’s GI system. What s most commonly seen on wine labels?

Answer 11

Three broad regions (Patagonia most widely seen on labels)

• each region split into provinces
• provinces contain specific departments

Question 12

Describe the climate and geography of the Salta Province. How does this affect the style of wines

Answer 12

• close to border of Bolivia
• most northerly vineyards in Argentina
• highest vineyards in the world (3000 meters)

-great purity and concentrated

Question 13

What are the main varieties of Salta?

Answer 13

Torrontes
-Cafayete

Mabec, Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 14

How are wines from the La Rioja Province typically labelled? Why?

Answer 14

Famatina

• main vineyard area is the Famatina Valley
• don’t want to be confused with Rioja in Spain

Question 15

What are the main varieties of La Rioja?

Answer 15

Torrontes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Bonarda

Question 16

Describe the geography of San Juan Province. What is the main grape variety? What other grapes do well here?

Answer 16

• 450-1400 meters
  main: Syrah

others: 
Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
Bonarda
Chardonnay
Viognier

Question 17

What province dominates the winemaking industry in Argentina?

Answer 17

Mendoza Province

Question 18

Describe the geography and climate of the Mendoza Province.

Answer 18

• desert conditions
• protected from rain by Andes in the west
• protected from rain in the east by the Argentine Pampas

Question 19

What are the five divisions of Mendoza?

Answer 19

1. Northern
2. Eastern
3. Central
4. Uco Valley
5. Southern

Often blend of different divisions to take advantage of fruit from different climates

Question 20

What wines are made in the Northern and Eastern divisions?

Answer 20

• high volume
• inexpensive
• Mendoza River provides irrigation

Question 21

What is the Central division known for?

Answer 21

• high quality wines

- mot famous producers

Question 22

What are the two main departments within the Central division and what types of wines are they known for?

Answer 22

Lujan de Cuyo

• very fine Malbec
• 900-1100 meters foothills of the Andes
• old vine Malbec
• soft, round
• sweet spice

Main

• lower altitudes
• Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
• high volume, inexpensive wines in the eastern, lower part
• old vine Bonardo, Tempranillo

Question 23

What is the Uco Valley known for? What’s the geography like here?

Answer 23

• 900 to 1500 meters
• highest vineyards in Mendoza
• cool nights, retain acid and freshness

-high quality fruit
Chardonnay
Torrontes
Malbec
Sauvignon Blanc
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Tempranillo
Pinot Noir

Question 24

Name a department within the Uvo Valley.

Answer 24

Tupungato

• high altitude area
• quality wines

Question 25

Name a department within Southern Mendoza. What’s the geography like? What wines is it known for?

Answer 25

San Rafael

• lower altitude
• southern location = coolest

Chenin Blanc

Question 26

Name two provinces within the Patagonia Region.

Answer 26

1. Rio Negro Province

2. Neuquen prince

Question 27

Describe the climate and geography of Patagonia. What is the cooling influence of the Patagonia region?

Answer 27

• 200-250 meters
• latitude is cooling influence
• strong desert winds
• low rainfall (low incidence of disease)
• large diurnal range (long daylight, cool nights)
• concentrated fresh fruit
• medium to high acidity

Question 28

What varieties are grown in Patagonia?

Answer 28

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Noir
• Malbec
• Merlot