37. Argentina Flashcards
Describe the climate and geography of Argentina. What are the climate hazards?
- 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)
What is the vineyard area with the highest altitude in Argentina? What is the altitude here?
Salta
-2000 meters or more
What vine training methods are used in Argentina?
- pergola system (parral): lifted grapes away from the heated ground, grapes hang below leaf canopy for shade (Torrontes)
- vertical trellises (black grapes)
What are the top 3 black varieties in Argentina?
- Malbec
- Bonarda
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Others: Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
Describe Argentinian Malbec. How does the style differ at different altitudes?
- 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
Describe Bonarda.
- 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
Describe Argentinian wines made from international grape varieties.
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Merlot
- Tempranillo
- Pinot Noir
- concentrated ripe fruit
- toasty notes from oak
What are the two main white grape varieties of Argentina? What are some other white grapes grown here?
- Torrontes
- Chardonnay
Other:
Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, Pedro Gimenez
Describe Torrontes. Where do the best examples come from?
-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
What is Pedro Gimenez?
- white grape variety with the greatest plantings
- typically used for cheap domestic wines
- in decline
Describe Argentina’s GI system. What s most commonly seen on wine labels?
Three broad regions (Patagonia most widely seen on labels)
- each region split into provinces
- provinces contain specific departments
Describe the climate and geography of the Salta Province. How does this affect the style of wines
- close to border of Bolivia
- most northerly vineyards in Argentina
- highest vineyards in the world (3000 meters)
-great purity and concentrated
What are the main varieties of Salta?
Torrontes
-Cafayete
Mabec, Cabernet Sauvignon
How are wines from the La Rioja Province typically labelled? Why?
Famatina
- main vineyard area is the Famatina Valley
- don’t want to be confused with Rioja in Spain
What are the main varieties of La Rioja?
Torrontes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Bonarda
Describe the geography of San Juan Province. What is the main grape variety? What other grapes do well here?
- 450-1400 meters
main: Syrah
others: Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Bonarda Chardonnay Viognier
What province dominates the winemaking industry in Argentina?
Mendoza Province
Describe the geography and climate of the Mendoza Province.
- desert conditions
- protected from rain by Andes in the west
- protected from rain in the east by the Argentine Pampas
What are the five divisions of Mendoza?
- Northern
- Eastern
- Central
- Uco Valley
- Southern
Often blend of different divisions to take advantage of fruit from different climates
What wines are made in the Northern and Eastern divisions?
- high volume
- inexpensive
- Mendoza River provides irrigation
What is the Central division known for?
- high quality wines
- mot famous producers
What are the two main departments within the Central division and what types of wines are they known for?
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
What is the Uco Valley known for? What’s the geography like here?
- 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
Name a department within the Uvo Valley.
Tupungato
- high altitude area
- quality wines
Name a department within Southern Mendoza. What’s the geography like? What wines is it known for?
San Rafael
- lower altitude
- southern location = coolest
Chenin Blanc
Name two provinces within the Patagonia Region.
- Rio Negro Province
2. Neuquen prince
Describe the climate and geography of Patagonia. What is the cooling influence of the Patagonia region?
- 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
What varieties are grown in Patagonia?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Noir
- Malbec
- Merlot
