Argentina Flashcards
Neuquen province
Neuquen province:
- New wine producing region
- Vineyards situated close to where the River Neuquen meets the Rio Negro
- Lack of water main issue – cannot grow as a region
- Warmer, more arid than Rio Negro: riper styles
- Main varieties are: Malbec; Pinot Noir, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc
Argentina has a number of factors that affect the wine region’s climate - dot point them and expand on them if you can
- Wine-producing regions
- 1500 kms apart, from Salta in the North to Rio Negro in South
- 24- 38°S in latitude degrees
- Altitude:
- 500-1000mRL
- Many over 1,000mRL
- highest is around 3300mRL!!
- Gives a wide diurnal temperature range – over 20 degrees in some places
- The cooler night-time temperatures help to extend the growing season and allow the grapes to retain acidity and aromas
- At low latitudes, the influence of cooling altitude essential to make the climate cool enough for viticulture
- Combined effect of low latitude and high altitude also results in intense sunlight and high levels of ultraviolet radiation - leads to higher levels of tannins and anthocyanins
- Most regions are in the foothills of the Andes – and in the rain shadow of the Andes
- Rainfall levels are very low – some places less than 200mm per annum
- In desert like conditions irrigation is essential
- Even at highest altitude, most are planted on flat or gentle sloping sites
- Majority of regions have Continental climate
- Dry air reduces risk of fungal disease; strong winds from mountains
- Zonda:
- hot dry powerful wind occurring in late spring, early summer
- lowers humidity; can induce water stress in the vines
- can affect flowering; fruit set; or damage grapes
- trees planted (poplars) as windbreaks
Patagonia is only 200~250 metres altitude so what provides cooling?
It’s Southerly latitude
Where is the Argentinian producer Susana Balbo based?
What is their flagship range of wines?
What grapes are used for this line?
Cafayate, Salta.
“Crios”
Torrontés, Malbec, Syrah and Bordeaux varietals.
Argentina’s vineyards are cut off from ocean cooling by the Andes so where does cooling come from?
Cooling must come from altitude with the best vineyards 1,000m + above sea level
Climate of Mendoza?
-
Climate:
- Continental w 4 seasons + no extreme temp variations
- Rainfall of 200-300mm/yr in summer.
- La Piedra (early summer hail)
- La Zonda (hot dry wind from N-E)
what is the altitude range of the Uco Valley
altitude of 850-1500
Mendoza plantings are what % of black grapes?
how much Malbec?
-
Varietals
- Black varieties 60% of plantings
- dominated by Malbec: 1/3rd of vineyard area
- plantings of Malbec have doubled since 2000
Where is Torrontes most successful?
Cafayate and high altitude Uco Valley - retains its acidity and doesn’t get overripe
How many DOCs are in Argentina?
What are they?
What are the principal grapes for each?
2
Lujan de Cuyo / Malbec
San Rafael / Chenin Blanc
What is Mendoza in terms of Argentinian wine production?
75% of vineyard area and 2/3rds of total production
Cabernet Franc - a varietal with a lot of potential in Argentina?
Cabernet Franc
- Considerable potential in Argentina
- producing distinctive concentrated style
- Single variety or blend with Malbec
Northern and Eastern Mendoza?
North & Eastern Mendoza:
- On plains of the Mendoza River valley
- Altitude: 500-700m; relatively low-level areas
- Irrigation: R Mendoza; (for N Mendoza); R Tunuyan (Eastern Mendoza)
- Warmer conditions and easy availability of water means these areas produce larger volumes of inexpensive wine
- Some higher quality wines from Tempranillo & Bonarda
DOC Lujan de Cuyo
-
DOC Lujan de Cuyo
- 1st DOC created in Argentina
- Must be aged min 24 mths, with min 12 mths in Oak
used by small no of producers, typically for Malbec
When is the grape harvest time in Argentina?
March/April
Viticulture of San Juan
-
Viticulture
- Production of Inexpensive wines from high-yielding pink varieties
- Traditional home of Cereza
- Vineyard area is decreasing unlike other regions in Argentina
-
Syrah:
- Most widely planted grape alongside Bonarda & Malbec
- Highest quality produced from high Altitudes on foothills of Andes
-
GI of Pedernal valley (1250-1500m)
- Higher diurnal range
- Higher acid levels and fresher fruit flavours
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
- more susceptible to extremes in temps & Fungal disease than Malbec;
- Site selection important
- Blended with Malbec generally
- But some producers making premium-priced single varietal wines
- Competition with Cab Sav’s from around the world
- Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon:
- Ripe high Tannins
- Blackcurrant, Blackberry, Spicy notes
- WITHOUT a marked herbaceous character
How does Malbec differ in style by climate?
- Cooler sites
- Higher altitudes or relatively high latitudes
- Lower Alcohol; Medium (+) Acidity; Medium (+) Tannins; fresh fruit flavours, Red & Black fruit, Herbal & Floral
- Warmer sites
- Full Body; Riper fruit, Lower Acidity and Softer Tannins
Southern Mendoza?
Southern Mendoza
- South of Mendoza; in dept of San Rafael
- 200 kms south of city of Mendoza
- Altitude: 450–850mRL
-
Climate
- Southerly location = summers are cooler/longer
- slower sugar accumulation; good Acid retention
- Particularly prone to Summer hailstorms
-
Wines
- Reds: Medium body, show more red fruit
- Malbec, Cab Sav, Syrah, Bonarda most imp reds
- Chenin Blanc: signature white grape; fruity, well balanced
- San Rafael DOC:
- Only other DOC in Argentina and which covers whole dept
- But most producers use the San Rafael GI instead
- The GI doesn’t have any winemaking stipulations
Approximately how many separate wineries (wine companies) are there in Argentina?
900
In which province is Cafayate located?
Salta
Rio Negro province
Rio Negro Province: (Black river)
- the main growing province of Patagonia
- been producing wines for 100 years
- Significant stocks of old vines (Semillon, Pinot Noir, Malbec)
- Viticulture at the upper end of valley where elevations are from 180-270mRL
- Produces elegant, well balanced:
- Pinot Noir
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Sav Blanc & Riesling
- 350mm rainfall, big diurnal shift
- Cooler climate w long warm ripening season + chalky soil -> ideal for whites
What are the 3 Torrontés clones used in Argentina, which one is the most highly regarded and what are they crosses of?
Torrontés Sanjuanino
Torrontés Riojano (most highly regarded)
Torrontés Mendocino
Criolla Chica X Muscat of Alexandria
3 tier system of Geographical Indications is used in Argentina
3 Tier system of Geographical Indications:
-
IP: (Indicacion de Procedencia)
- cover large geographical areas
- though not the country as a whole
-
IG: (or GI, Indicacion Geografica)
- wines that meet a certain quality,
- from a specific geographical area
- that is considered capable of producing quality wines
-
DOC
- from a specific geographical area
- with legislated winemaking criteria
- so far only 2 created
- both in Mendoza, only a small number of producers use this category
- Lujan de Cuyo
- San Rafael
Two key regions of Patagonia?
Rio Negro and Neuquen
What best describes a wine made from the Torrontés grape?
- Medium body/ Medium acidity
- Intense fruity, floral perfume
- Stone fruit and melon flavors
Chardonnay in Argentina?
Chardonnay
- widely planted as it is a versatile varietal
- Premium wines
- from cool sites in Uco Valley
- Medium (+)-High Acidity, Ripe Stone & Tropical fruit
- Subtle spice notes from Oak maturation
- some using small proportion of new oak or entirely old Oak
What do the labeling terms “Reserva” and “Gran Reserva” indicate on Argentinian wines?
Reserva implies a minimum 6 months of aging for white wines and 1 year for reds;
Gran Reserva indicates at least 1 year for whites and 2 for reds.
San Juan is the 2nd largest growing region in Argentina - but how does it compare to Mendoza?
not even 1/3rd the size
Where are most grapes grown in La Rioja Province? What grape is grown there as a speciality?
What other 3 black grapes are grown?
On the irrigated valley floors of Famatina Valley.
Torrontes is a speciality Cab Sav, Syrah and Bonarda grown there too
Exports are what % of production?
20%
How would you describe a young Torrontés (aromatics / acidity / alcohol)?
Highly aromatic, elevated acidity, elevated alcohol
In which country / region is the producer Bodega Catena Zapata located?
Argentina / Mendoza
Phylloxera present?
Yes - but sandy soils, dry climate seem to keep it at bay
Main hazards of Agentinian wine regions?
Hazards
- Hail
- netting used to protect with hail; many producers in Mendoza own vineyards in many different parts of the province to minimize risk of hail
- can do damage to their entire crop.
- Summer Hail (« piedra ») main threat, up to 30% crop lost every year
- Frost
- in Mendoza; usually in flat or bottom of slopes
- El Nino
- Occurs every 2-10 years; brings much higher than avg rainfall; more hailstorms
- in 2016 reduction in yield of 25% across the country, 40% in Mendoza
At what altitude are the vineyards of San Juan Province located?
What are the main grapes grown there?
450~1400 metres
Very good Syrah Red grapes: Malbec, Cab Sav, Bonarda
Chardonnay and Viognier are the most planted whites
What is a regular weather risk in Argentina and how is it managed?
Summer hail is a regular occurrence
- Netting covers the vines
- As much vineyard location diversity as possible
Las Compuertas district GI?
- In Las Compuertas
- Highest vineyards producing
- Fruity, full Body Reds from Malbec & other Bordeaux varieties
- Medium (+) Acidity, Firm Tannins; considerable potential for ageing
- Wines command premium prices and upwards
- Also elegant, balanced whites from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
San Carlos
- San Carlos
- Most southerly of the 3 depts
- Recognised for its old vine plantings & quality of Malbec, Cab Sav, and in lower warmer areas, Syrah
-
GI of Parage Altamira:
- Based on Alluvial fan, includes a variety of Soils, though high presence of Calcium Carbonate & Stony topsoil are hallmarks of the GI
- 1000 -1200mRL
- Lower Altitude than Gualtallary
- More intense and fuller bodied than Gualtallary, with acidity & tannin structure to age
Where generally and specifically do the best Mendoza wines come from, at what altitude and which grape specifically?
Central Mendoza, specifically the departments of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipú.
Specifically Foothills of Andes at between 900~1,100 metres Renowned for producing very fine Malbec
What is the geographic area marked with an X below?
San Juan
What are the better wines, from Maipu department, made with?
Syrah and Cab Sav
What is the climate and viticulture of Uco Valley?
-
Climate
- high altitude & high latitude means cooler temps
- and a wider diurnal range
-
Viticulture
- Grapes accumulate less sugar, retain Acidity, fresh fruit flavours
- Intense sunshine give grapes deep colour & ripe tannins
- Because of potential for quality; huge investment from leading winemakers
- Vineyard area has almost doubled this century!
- Black grapes dominate and with Malbec the largest
The Argentinian wineries Yacochuya and Etchart are located in which region?
How are these 2 wineries related?
Cafayate, Salta.
Etchart is the winery that first brought Pomerol winemaker Michel Rolland from France to Argentina, and Yacochuya is his latest project.
Main export markets?
- Main export markets by volume
- USA – over 25%
- UK – 15%
- Canada, Brazil, Paraguay
- Other South American countries remain important
Charbono in the United States is better known as _____ in Argentina.
Bonarda
What are the flagship black and white grapes of Argentina?
What is the 2nd most planted black grape?
Black = Malbec
White = Torrontes
Bonarda
Bonarda?
Bonarda
- 2nd most planted black variety
- Called Bonarda Argentina to distinguish it from Italian variety
- Mainly planted in San Juan & warmer areas in Mendoza
-
Characteristics
- Late ripening varietal
- High Yielding;
- Deep colour; Medium (+) Acidity; Medium Tannins; Medium Alcohol
- Red & Black fruit flavours;
- Fruity in nature - oak can overwhelm it - If oak used then large or old vessels
- produces large volumes of mid-priced wines
- 85% is consumed domestically
- Popular blending partner to Malbec & Cab Sav
- Some producers are now making:
- more complex, riper black fruit, spicy
- from lower yielding, old vines in Maipu; Lujan de Cuyo; East of Mendoza
Which is the only Austrian owned Bodega in Argentina?
Which sub-region / region are they located in?
Bodega Norton
Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza