Argentina

Question 1

What key environmental influences are there in Argentina?

Answer 1

Altitude is vital, to temper vineyards majority sit above 500m as a minimum (up to 3,300m max). Rarely on slopes to prevent heat. Long sunshine hours, diurnal range up to 20c.

Question 2

What is the name of the strong wind in Argentina? What else is a natural threat to vineyards?

Answer 2

Zonda, can affect flowering and fruit set, reduces yields. Hail and El Nino also a problem (netting is used).

Question 3

Is disease pressure low or high?

Answer 3

Low. Dry sunny conditions.

Question 4

What trellising systems are largely used and why?

Answer 4

Pergola systems, for shading and to cool vines.

Question 5

What are the following levels for Malbec:

Body:
Alcohol:
Tannins:
Percentage of plantings:

Answer 5

Body: Full
Alcohol: High
Tannins: High
Percentage of Plantings: 20%

Question 6

What type of consumption is Bonarda usually used for?

Answer 6

High volume inexpensive wines for local consumption.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of Torrentes?

Answer 7

Floral, but can lose acidity quickly if its over ripe. To be drunk young.

Question 8

What are the ageing requirements for Reserva wines?

Answer 8

12 months for red and 6 months for white/rose

Question 9

What are the 5 zones in the Mendoza region?

Answer 9

Northern, Eastern, Southern, Central and Uco Valley.

Question 10

What are the 2 main sub regions in Central Mendoza and what do they grow?

Answer 10

Lujan de Coya - Old Vine Malbec (minimum 24 months ageing) and Maipu (Malbec and Bonarda/fruiter more alcoholic reds due to warmer climate and less altitude).

Question 11

What are the 3 sub regions in Uco Valley?

Answer 11

Tupungato, Tunuyan and San Carlos.

Question 12

What style of wine can you expect from the Northern, Eastern and Southern sub regions of Mendoza?

Answer 12

Inexpensive mass produced blended reds. This is due to lower altitude and hotter conditions.

Question 13

What altitude does the Salta Province lay between? Why is this important?

Answer 13

1500 - 3300m. Because close to the equator, long sunlight hours so altitude helps to cool vindeyards along with Zonda and diurnal range.

Question 14

What grape varieties is the Salta Province known for?

Answer 14

Malbec main red but also Syrah, Cab Sav, Tannat Bonarda. Torrontes principal white variety.

Question 15

What altitude does Patagonia region lay between and why?

Answer 15

Approx 400m altitude because of its latitude and less intense sunlight hours.

Question 16

What are the 2 main sub regions in Patagonia?

Answer 16

Rio Negro (famous for old vine Semillon and elegant reds/aromatic whites) and Neuquen (newer/hotter region).