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Argentina Flashcards

1
Q

Domestic consumption declined in Argentina in 1970s onwards. So what?

A

Along with return to democracy in 80s and 90s, producers (Eg Nicolas Catena) looked to export, and shift quantity to quality

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2
Q

Three significant wine consultants that impacted Argentina (modernisation)

A

Michel Rolland
Alberto Antonini
Paul Hobbs

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3
Q

Argentina has low latitude and high altitude. So what?

A

Vital, otherwise it would be too hot for viticulture

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4
Q

Altitude in Argentina

A

500m-3,300m

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5
Q

Topography of Argentina vineyards?

A

High altitude BUT

generally falt or gently sloping sites

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6
Q

Argentina has a high diurnal range (over 20C in some places). So what?

A

Cool nights extend growing season, allow grapes to retain acid and aromas

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7
Q

Combination of low latitude and high altitude means what for sunlight in Argentina?

A

Intense sunlight, relatively high ultraviolet radiation

=> high levels of tannins and anthocyanins

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8
Q

Climate in Argentina?

A

Mostly CONTINENTAL

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9
Q

Is rainfall high or low in Argentina?

A

Low!
Less than 200m in parts
Irrigation essential

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10
Q

What is zonda?

A

Hot, dry powerful wind in Argentina
Late spring, early summer
Lowers humidity, induce water stress, can affect flowering etc

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11
Q

How can growers mitigate against zonda in Argentina?

A

Use trees as a windbreak

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12
Q

What does hail do in Argentina?

A

a constant threat, can significantly reduce yields

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13
Q

How do growers mitigate against hail in Argentina?

A

Netting (but it’s expensive)

Spread vineyards around place (insurance)

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14
Q

What does El Nino bring to Argentina?

A

Every 2-10 years
Much higher rain than average, more hailstorms

2016: reduced production by 25% overall, 40% in Mendoza

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15
Q

Soils in Argentina are generally alluvial soils from what?

A

Deposited by rivers flowing down from the Andes

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16
Q

Poor soils at altitude in Argentina. Why? So what?

A

Dry continental climate so little organic matter from decomposed flora/fauna
Poor soils
Naturally low yielding, high quality viticulture

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17
Q

What’s notable about Gualtallary and Paraje Altamira (Uco Valley) and Pedernal Valley (San Juan)?

A

Deposits of calcareous soils found here

Increasingly known for high quality wines

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18
Q

Land under vine in Argentina

A

200,000ha (was much higher in 1970s/80s)

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19
Q

Vine pull scheme in Argentina in 80s/90s. So what?

A

area under vine went from 300,000ha to 200,000
response to rapid fall in demand

but 1000s of hectares of Malbec pulled out just before its potential was recognised!

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20
Q

Argentina: irrigation rainwater from where?

A

Rivers (eg the Mendoza and its tributaties) deliver pure meltwater from winter snow/glaciers in the Andes

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21
Q

Flood irrigation common in Argentina. Why?

A

Suitable for Argentina’s free draining soils
=> water goes deep in the soil
also: cheap!
used in 70% of vineyards

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22
Q

Drip irrigation is increasing in Argentina (vs flood irrigation which is most common). What are the benefits?

A

Increased efficiency
Little wastage
Sutstainable (water shortages an issue in Mendoza, La Rioja and San Jaun)

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23
Q

What is parral?

A

Argentinian pergola system, traditionally

Still widely used in warmer areas for eg Torrontés

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24
Q

Why is pergola/parral suitable for Torrontés?

A

it needs shade to retain acidity and aromas

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25
Phylloxera is present in Argentina but not a problem. Why? So what?
Sandy soils and arid climate | Most vines ungrafted
26
Most vines in Argentina are ungrafted. But grafting is now more common. Why?
Risk from nematodes | Benefit that some rootstocks have to resist drought
27
Why is mechanical harvest common in Argentina now?
Fewer casual labourers available, people don't want to work for such low pay
28
Dr Nicolas Catena and who else have done a lot of work on understanding Malbec?
Aldo Biondolillo
29
Improvements in Argentinian viticulture in recent years?
Increase in drip (vs. flood) irrigation Better canopy management Understanding clonal selection of eg Malbec Understand how soils affect wine styles
30
Historically Argentina was dominated by what kind of grapes?
Pink criolla grapes | eg Cereza, Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica (aka Pais)
31
What are pink criolla grapes?
They have pink skins when fully ripe Make light coloured wine Long used for inexpensive domestic production in Argentina
32
Pink criolla grapes account for what % of Argentinian planting?
20%
33
Malbec accounts for what % of total Argentina plantings?
20%
34
Increase of Malbec plantings in Argentina 1995-2018?
increase of 350%!!!
35
Is Malbec vigorous?
Yes
36
When does Malbec ripen?
Mid-ripening
37
Argentinian Malbec style (warm, sunny conditions)
``` deep colour full body high tannin, soft high alcohol ripe blackberry, black plum ```
38
In Argentinian blends, what is Malbec blended with?
Bordeaux varieties Bonarda Syrah
39
Argentina's most planted grape
Malbec of course
40
Argentinian Malbec from cool sites (high altitude, high latitude): style
``` lower alcohol medium (+) acidity firm, medium (+) tannin fresh fruit flavours red adn black fruit floral and herbal ```
41
Berry size of Malbec clones in Argentina vs in France?
smaller berries in Argentina
42
Argentina's second most planted black grape?
Bonarda (aka Bonarda Argentina)
43
Why is Bonarda called "Bonarda Argentina"?
to distinguish it from Bonarda in Italy
44
Where is Bonarda planted in Argentina?
Mainly in San Juan and warmer parts of Mendoza
45
What is Bonarda used for in Argentina?
large volumes of inexpensive wine, domestic consumption can also be high quality, intense and structured when yields are limited
46
Argentina: Bonarda style
``` deep colour red and black fruit medium (+) acid medium tannin medium alcohol ```
47
Comment on oak and Bonarda
Oak can overwhelm it | If oak used, usually it's large and/or old oak
48
Oak can overwhelm Bonarda. So what?
If it's used, it's usually alrge or old vessels
49
What makes Bonarda a popular blending component?
High yields Fruity nature Intense colour
50
When Bonarda is made in a high quality style (controlled yields, old vines etc), what's it like?
More complex Riper black fruit Spicy characteristics
51
Argentina: site selection is important for Cabernet Sauvignon why?
More susceptible to extremes of temperature and to fungald disease than Malbec
52
Argentina: Cabernet Sauvignon style?
Ripe high tannin Blackcurrant, blackberry, spicy Herbaceous
53
Syrah is particularly successful in what parts of Argentina?
Hotter parts of Mendoza | San Juan
54
Argentina: Pinot Noir successful where?
Patagonia and high-elevation vineyards in Uco Valley | => concentrated, fruit wines
55
How has red winemaking in Argentina shifted with foreign investment and foreign winemakers?
Traditionally: ferment and mature in large oak, some oxidation Foreign investment and winemakers: later harvest, temperature control, new French oak => full body, ripe, fruity, oaky
56
Argentina: producers of super-premium wines with ageign potential
Catena Zapata Vina Cobos Achaval Ferrer
57
Most planted white grape in Argentina?
Pedro Gimenez (NOT same in Jerez PX)
58
Pedro Gimenez style
neutral | simple, inexpensive, domestic consumption
59
Three Torrontés varieties
Torrontés Riojano Torrontés Sanjuanino Torrontés Mendocino RIOJANO is best and most popular
60
Torrontes is a cross of what
Muscat of Alexandria a nd Criolla Chica
61
Comment on Torronteses' yield and vigour
High yields, vigorous
62
Torrontes is early-ripening. So what?
In ARgentina heat, it sometimes overripens and becomes overly alcoholic, lacking in acidity and with a bitter finish
63
What are producers doing to make better Torrontes today?
Reducing yields Earlier harvesting Termperature control => fruitier wines (lemon, grapefruit, peach) rather than too floral fresh wines, lower alcohol
64
Torrontes particularly succesful from what parts of Argentina?
Cafayate (Salta) | Also from other cooler, higher vineayrds in Uco Valley
65
Argentina's three-tier system of geographical indications
IP (Indicacion de Procedencia): large geographical areas but not the country s a whole IG (or GI, Indicacion Geografica): more specific geographical area capable of producing quality wines DOC: specific geographical area, legislated winemaking criteria. THERE ARE ONLY TWO (Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael)
66
How widely used is Argentina's DOC designation
NOT! | There are only two DOCs: Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael (both in Mendoza) and producers don't widely use it
67
Argentina: what does Reserva indicate?
Reds: 12 months' ageing White and rose: 6 months ageing (Gran Reserva is twice as long)
68
Argentina's largest wine-producing province is ____
Mendoza
69
Mendoza accounts for what % of total Argentinian vineyard area?
75% ! and 2/3s of total production
70
Altitude in Mendoza
500m (eastern plains) to 1,500m (upper parts of Uco Valley)
71
Dominant grape in Mendoza
Malbec (25% of plantings)
72
Mendoza vineyard split into what 5 divisions?
1. Northern 2. Eastern 3. Central 4. Uco Valley 5. Southern only Uco Valley is a registered GI
73
Acronym for remembering Mendoza's five divisons?
NECUS ``` Northern Eastern Central Uco Valley Southern ```
74
Northern and Eastern Mendoza can produce large volumes of inexpensive wine. Why?
Warm conditions and availability of water | Irrigation from Mendoza River and Tunuyan River
75
Argentina: what/where is the Primera Zona?
Central Mendoza | Called that because longest history of making quality wine in Argentina
76
Two most prestigious wine-producing departments in Central Mendoza?
Lujan de Cuyo | Maipu
77
First DOC in Argentina?
DOC Lujan de Cuyo
78
What are the rules for DOC Lujan de Cuyo?
min 24 months, 12 months in oak | only a small # of producers use it
79
Where is Lujan de Cuyo?
South-west of Mendoza city | It's the higher half of Central Mendoza/Primera Zona
80
Two prestigious sub-GIs within the GI Lujan de Cuyo?
Las Compuertas | Agrelo
81
What is Las Compuertas
a district-level GI within Lujan de Cuyo GI Fruity, full-bodied reds (Malbec, Bordeaux varieties) that can age Elegant Chard and Sauv Blanc
82
Altitude in Lujan de Cuyo?
900-1,100m
83
Maipu is slightly lower than Lujan de Cuyo. So what?
Warmer sites | Along with old vines => intense fruit, full body, high alcohol, soft tannin
84
Mendoza's highest vineayrds are where?
Uco Valley | 850-1,500m
85
Uco Valley has high latitude and high altitude. So what?
Cooler than many other areas Slow ripening, sugar accumulation is slow etc => high acid, fresh fruit flavours, deep colour, ripe tannin => HIGH quality!
86
Three departments within GI Valle de Uco?
Tupungato Tunuyan San Carlos Each has its own GI
87
What is grown in Tupungato?
Malbec, Cab Sauv, Cab Farnc, Pinot Noir, Chard, Sauv Blanc | It's a department of Uco Valley
88
What is Gualtallary?
A sub-region ("district") within Tupungato, which is part of Uco Valley (Mendoza) High quality here. In process of becoming a GI
89
What is the reptuation of Southern Mendoza?
Not as prestigious as other aprts of province Grapes often sent away to use for blends Some high quality wines
90
Southern Mendoza contains what DOC?
San Rafael DOC (one of only two DOCs in Argentina, not widely used)
91
San Juan Province traditionally known for what kind of wines? So what?
High volume from high-yielding pink varieties These wines falling out of favour => land under vine is decreasing here
92
Example of a high quality GI within San Juan Province?
Pedernal Valley | 1,250-1,500m
93
Argentina's La Rioja Province produces what kind of wines?
High volume, inexpensive grown in Famatina Valley | eg Torrontes, Malbec, Cab Sauv, Syrah
94
What is La Riojana?
Large co-op in La Rioja, Argentina | World's largest producer of Fairtrade certified wines
95
Argentinian wines from La Rioja must have what label for export?
"La Rioja Argentina"
96
Salta Province located where?
Far north of Argentina
97
Most Salta Province vineyards in the valley of what river? So what?
Calchaqui River | Provides irrigation water (desert-like conditions)
98
Latitude in Salta Province?
24-26S | Some of closest vineyards to the equator in the world
99
Altitude in Salta Province?
HIGH! 1,500-3,000m offset the low latitude
100
Low latitude and high altitude means what for Salta Province?
Intense sunlight => high tannin, anthocyanin
101
Mountains around Salta Province do what?
Provide shade from intense sun | Strong zonda wind blows down
102
Strong zonda winds in Salta Province. So what?
Vines protect themselves => thicker skins, lower yields | high concentration, full body, fragrant, fresh
103
Dominant black grape in Salta Province?
Malbec
104
Malbec style in Salta Province
``` Full body Medium (+) acid High alcohol Ripe black fruit Herbal, floral lift ```
105
Dominant white grape in Salta Province?
Torrontes | particularly in Cafayate GI
106
Altitude in Patagonia?
Way lower than elsewhere in Argentina | 400m
107
Patagonia developing a reputation for what grapes
Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Merlot, Semillon, Chardonnay, Riesling BUT Malbec is #1 planted grape
108
Most production in Patagonia comes from what province?
Rio Negro provicne
109
Where are Rio Negro and Neuquen provinces located?
Patagonia, Argentina
110
What impacts the quantity of wine produced in Argentina in some years?
El Nino
111
Argentina's main export market
USA | 22% of Argentina export by volume (31% by value)
112
Account for Argentin'a export boom in 2000s?
Weak peso => boom in sales to US | good quality, inexpensive wines
113
Events in 2010s that led to Argentinian exports to slow?
Inflation (rising costs of production, more difficult to make inexpensive wines) Low yields 2016 (El Nino) Low yields 2017 (spring frost)
114
Foreign investment in Argentina has slowed why?
Govt. restrictions on foreign ownership of land | This restriction was lifted (new govt.) in 2016
115
Malbec accounts for what % of Argentinian exports?
60%
116
What is COVIAR?
Argentina national and local govt., growers, producers and professional bodies => promote Argentina wine domestic and xport
117
Argentina's exports account for what % of its production
Just 20% | Domestic market remains crucial!
118
What is FeCoViTa?
Collective of 29 co-ops in Argentina
119
What is Grupo Penaflor?
One of biggest wine producers in the world | Owns Trapiche, Finca Las Moras

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