Argentina

Question 1

ARGENTINA -Highlights

When was the start of sparking wine in Argentina and by who?

Answer 1

1959 from Moet & Chandon - moved to overseas production in Mendoza

production had been very limited until more recent years

volumes and range of styles have grown at varied price points

Question 2

ARGENTINA- Highlights

where is the bulk of production?

Answer 2

approx 160 winners production sparking wines

majority in Mendoza

Higher quality: Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley - Mendoza

San Juan in the Pedernal Valley

Nequen - Patagonia

Rio Negro -Patagonia

Question 3

ARGENTINA- Highlights

what quality can you expect to see tank?

Answer 3

Tank method fruity wines:

off dry to med-dry / Acceptable to good

Question 4

ARGENTINA- Highlights

what quality can you expect to see of Traditional wines?

Answer 4

Traditional method-

Chard & PN- ripe apple & lemon fruit w/ light autolytic notes

Brut style / Good to very good

inexpensive to mid to premium priced

Question 5

ARGENTINA- Growing Env & Grape Growing

where are grapes grown?

Answer 5

Inexpensive: carbonated & tank method- warmer parts Mendoza

Higher quality: Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley sub regions of Mendoza

Neuquen and Rio Negro, Patagonia- high altitude, southerly latitude, continentality

Question 6

ARGENTINA- Growing Env & Grape Growing

Harvest notes?

Answer 6

1 to 2 months before still – avoid high abv, preserve acidity

blending vineyards w/ slightly different climate often necessary warmer site with cooler

Some wineries have own vineyard, most rely on growers

Question 7

ARGENTINA- Growing Env & Grape Growing

top six varieties used for sparking wine in Argentina?

Answer 7

Pedro Gimenex

Chardonnay

Chenin Blanc

Pinot Noir

Ugni Blanc

Semillion

Question 8

ARGENTINA- Growing Env & Grape Growing

Pedro Gimenex

Answer 8

___ is one of the Criollas

thought to be descended from European varieties or introduced by Spanish & Portugues soldiers & explorers

Question 9

Criollas

Answer 9

is a collective name for grape varieties that have been commonly grown in South America

since arrival of the conquistadores

Question 10

ARGENTINA- Growing Env & Grape Growing

hazards in growing?

Answer 10

Hail

spring frost in some areas

Fanleaf virous caused by nematodes

Question 11

ARGENTINA- Winemaking

Inexpensive

Answer 11

typically carbonation

made from Pedro Gimenez, Chenin Blanc, Semillon

additional flavors added- strawberry

Tank method

mid priced- made with wide range varieties Chard & PN

Question 12

ARGENTINA- Winemaking

mid priced to premium wines

Answer 12

sourced from bests sites—Char & PN vintage or NV

Appearance: majority are white,

Flavors: show ripe apple, lemon autolytic aromas

Acidity: med + Body: Med to Med+

ABV: Med

majority spend 12 mts on lees w/ many through extended age

Question 13

ARGENTINA- Winemaking

super premium:

Answer 13

small # ___ bottlings have been introduced

E.G. Baron B Unique

best fruit, slightly longer lees aging -18 mths

Question 14

ARGENTINA- Wine Law and Business

big boost in sparking wine happen why?

Answer 14

2005: agreement - Gov & the national wine trad body

removal of a domestic tax of 12% on sales in return for investment in wine by the industry

-policy apart of a wider initiative to promote Argentinian wine

resulting in category growth

Question 15

ARGENTINA- Wine Law and Business

Who is buying sparking wine?

Answer 15

Domestic: consumes virtually all

great majority is bought from retails for home consumption

most pop style: 64% Seco – less than 11g/L = upper end of Brut

Question 16

ARGENTINA- Wine Law and Business

leading production companies?

Answer 16

Moet Hennessy- (includes Chandon and ‘Baron B brands)

Llorente

Mumm (part of Pernod Richard)

Norton

Freixenet (European company)

Sogrape (Finca Flichman- EU company)