Argentina Flashcards
What is the Mission grape known as in Argentina?
Criolla Chica
Argentina
Most planted grape
Cereza
Year Malbec was introduced to Argentina
1860
Torrontes Riojano is a crossing of what two varietals?
Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria
Besides Torrontes Riojano, 2 other varieties also labeled “Torrontes”, but produce lower quality wines
- Torrontes Mendocino
- Torrontes Sanjuanino
Argentina
Rank in the world wine production
5th largest
- as of 2018, BK Wine Magazine
Zonda
fierce, dusty, hot afternoon wind
- Blows down from the mountains in late spring and early summer, sometimes adversly affecting flowering
Salta
Producers
- Colomé, Donald Hess
- Bodegas Etchart
- El Esteco
- El Porvenir
- Tacuil
- Yacochuya
Argentina
Avg. national elevation of vineyards
900 m above sea level
- Vneyards are generally situated on the slopes of the Andean foothills and plains
Patagonia
2 IGs
- Chubut (67 ha)
- La Pampa
- Neuquén IG
- Río Negro IG
Mendoza
6 most important red grapes
Descending order of importance
- Malbec (flagship)
- Bonarda
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Merlot
- Tempranillo
Argentina
2nd most planted red grape
Bonarda
- genetically distinct from the Northern Italian grape of the same name
- recent DNA studies have identified Bonarda as Savoie’s Corbeau - known as Charbono in the U.S.
Bonarda
- Corbeau - Savoie, France
- Charbono - U.S.
Argentina
Most planted white grape
Pedro Giminez
- Unrelated to Spain’s Pedro Ximinez
- Blending grape often mainly suitable for bulk wines or grape concentrate
Mendoza Chardonnay clone
- Developed at University of California at Davis
- Popular throughout Argentina
- Prone to millerandage, resulting grapes have greater skin-to-juice ratio
3 pink-skinned varieties of Argentina
Cereza, Criolla Chica, Criolla Grande
- Occupy nearly 30% of the nation’s vineyard acreage
Argentina
Reserva
Argentina Reserva
- Whites - aged 6 mo
- Reds - aged 1 yr
Argentina
Gran Reserva
Argentina Gran Reserva:
- Whites - 1 yr aging
- Reds - 2 yr aging
Year Reserva and Gran Reserva designations were introduced in Argentina
2008
- Also limits max yields
Patagonia
4 winemaking provinces
2 IGs
- Chubut (67 ha of vines in 2017)
- La Pampa
- Neuquén IG
- Río Negro IG
Argentina
4 Winemaking Regions
2 IGs
- Center Region
- Northern
- Cuyo IG
- Patagonia IG
Argentina
Center Region
2 Winemaking Provinces
1 IG
- Córdoba Argentina IG
- Entre Rios (Only 47 ha, 2017)
Córdoba IG
- Located within what larger main region?
- 6 Subregions
- Size in ha
- Major grapes
Córdoba
- w/in Center Region
-
Subregions (Department IGs):
- Calamuchita
- Colón
- Ischilin
- San Javier
- Santa María
- Tulumba
- 299 ha
- Grapes: Merlot, Malbec, Isabella
Cuyo (New Cuyo**)
4 Winemaking Regions
3 IGs
- La Rioja Argentina IG
- Mendoza IG
- San Juan IG
- San Luis (103 ha of vines in 2017)
**The traditional region of Cuyo excludes La Rioja. “New” Cuyo is used to indicate its inclusion in the region, and Cuyo IG encompasses the province.
Within what region will you find Chilecito, Famatina, and Felipe Varela?
La Rioja Argentina
- 90% of La Rioja’s vineyards are in these three subregions
Mendoza
5 main Regional Subregions
- Primera Zona
- Uco Valley
- North Mendoza
- East Mendoza
- South Mendoza
Within what subregion of Mendoza will you find the following IGs?
- San Carlos IG - El Cepillo IG, La Consulta IG, Paraje Altamira IG
- Tunuyán IG - Los Chacayes IG, San Pablo IG, Vista Flores IG
- Tupungato IG
- PRIMERA ZONA (640 - 1070m)
- Godoy Cruz IG
- Luján de Cuyo IG / DOC - Agrelo IG, Las Compuertas IG, Perdriel IG
- Maipú IG - Cruz de Piedra IG, El Paraíso IG, Las Barrancas IG, Lunlunta IG, Russel IG
-
UCO VALLEY IG (900 - 1400m)
- San Carlos IG - El Cepillo IG, La Consulta IG, Paraje Altamira IG
- Tunuyán IG - Los Chacayes IG, San Pablo IG, Vista Flores IG
- Tupungato IG
- NORTH MENDOZA (580 - 700m)
- Guaymallén IG
- Las Heras IG
- Lavalle IG
- EAST MENDOZA (640-730m)
- Junin IG
- La Paz IG
- Rivadavia IG
- San Martín IG
- Santa Rosa IG
- SOUTHERN MENDOZA (450 - 800m)
- General Alvear IG
- San Rafael IG / DOC
Uco Valley
Department IGs
- Tupungato IG
- Tunuyán IG
- San Carlos IG
North Mendoza
3 IG
Guaymallén IG, Las Heras IG, Lavalle IG
- PRIMERA ZONA (640 - 1070m)
- Godoy Cruz IG
- Luján de Cuyo IG / DOC - Agrelo IG, Las Compuertas IG, Perdriel
- Maipú IG - Cruz de Piedra IG, El Paraíso IG, Las Barrancas IG, Lunlunta IG, Russel IG;
- UCO VALLEY IG (900 - 1400m)
- San Carlos IG - El Cepillo, La Consulta IG, Paraje Altamira IG
- Tunuyán IG - Los Chacayes IG, San Pablo IG, Vista Flores IG
- Tupungato IG
- NORTH MENDOZA (580 - 700m)
- Guaymallén IG
- Las Heras IG
- Lavalle IG
- EAST MENDOZA (640-730m)
- Junin IG
- La Paz IG
- Rivadavia IG
- San Martín IG
- Santa Rosa IG
- SOUTH MENDOZA (450 - 800m)
- San Rafael IG / DOC
- General Alvear IG
Within what main subregion of Mendoza will you find the following IGs?
- Junin IG
- La Paz IG
- Rivadavia IG
- San Martín IG
- Santa Rosa IG
EAST MENDOZA (64O-730m)
- PRIMERA ZONA (640 - 1070m)
- Godoy Cruz IG
- Luján de Cuyo IG / DOC - Agrelo IG, Las Compuertas IG, Perdriel IG
- Maipú IG - Cruz de Piedra IG, El Paraíso IG, Las Barrancas IG, Lunlunta IG, Russel IG
- UCO VALLEY IG (900 - 1400m)
- San Carlos IG - El Cepillo IG, La Consulta IG, Paraje Altamira IG
- Tunuyán IG - Los Chacayes IG, San Pablo IG, Vista Flores IG
- Tupungato IG
- NORTH MENDOZA (580 - 700m)
- Guaymallén IG
- Lavalle IG
- Las Heras IG
-
EAST MENDOZA (640-730m)
- Junin IG
- La Paz IG
- Rivadavia IG
- San Martín IG
- Santa Rosa IG
- SOUTHERN MENDOZA (450 - 800m)
- San Rafael IG / DOC
- General Alvear IG
East Mendoza
5 Department IGs
- Junin IG
- La Paz IG
- Rivadavia IG
- San Martín IG
- Santa Rosa IG
Within what main subregion of Mendoza will you find the following IGs?
- Godoy Cruz IG
- Luján de Cuyo IG / DOC
- Maipú IG
Primera Zona
Maipú
District IGs
- Cruz de Piedra IG
- El Paraíso IG
- Las Barrancas IG
- Lunlunta IG
- Russel IG
Luján de Cuyo IG
District IGs
- Agrelo
- Las Compuertas
- Perdriel
- Vistalba
Agrelo IG and Las Compuertas IG are located within what Department?
Luján du Cuyo
Southern Mendoza
Department IGs
- San Rafael
- General Alvear
Argentina
DOCs
- Luján du Cuyo DOC - Malbec only
- San Rafael DOC - currently used only by Valentín Bianchi for base quality wine
Mendoza
Malbec
5 quality producers
- Catena
- Susana Balbo’s Dominio del Plata
- Bressia
- Achával Ferrer - 100% new barrels
- Cheval des Andes - style reminiscent of velvety Pomerol
Number of ha planted
- Salta
- San Juan
- Mendoza
- Salta - 2,500 ha
- San Juan - 32,000 ha
- Mendoza - 149,000 ha
Number of ha for Malbec planted in Mendoza
- Malbec in Mendoza - 35,300 ha
- Mendoza vineyards - 155,900 ha
vs La Rioja - 7,500 ha, San Juan - 47,000 ha
San Juan
7 Subregions
- Calingasta
- Fertil Valleys
- Jáchal
- Pedernal
- Tulum
- Ullum
- Zonda
Much of San Juan’s acreage has historically been devoted to what grapes?; what are two grapes gaining critical acclaim?
- Historically pink-skinned grapes
- Syrah and Bonarda capturing critical attention
Mendoza
Major soil type
loose, alluvial sand over clay
- Coupled with the Zonda wind, helps keep phylloxera and other diseases at bay
- Almost all vines in Mendoza are planted on their original rootstcok
Mendoza
Climate
- Desert-like
- Irrigation is absolutely necessary
-
Furrow irrigation
- Traditional form, technique developed centuries ago by the Incas
- Rivers’ water, swelled by Andes snowmelt, is directed through the vineyards in channels
- Modern drip irrigation
Uco Valley’s
San Carlos
District IGs
San Carlos IG
- El Cepillo
- La Consulta IG
- Paraje Altamira IG
Uco Valley’s
Tunuyán
District IGs
- Los Chacayes IG
- San Pablo IG
- Vista Flores IG
La Rioja Argentina
Subregion Department IGs
- Chilecito
- Famatina - includes the Valle de Chañarmuyo IG
- Felipe Varela
- plus, Arauco, Castro Barros, General Lamadrid (includes the Castelli district IG), San Blas de los Sauces, Sanagasta, Vinchina
What are the climatic influences on Argentinean viticulture?
The rain shadow of the Andes creates a very dry climate, which is exacerbated by the Zonda, a fierce, hot, afternoon wind that sweeps down from the mountains in late spring and early summer.
Vineyards are largely irrigated by snowmelt, and the region is prone to hail in the spring and summer.
What are the main viticultural hazards of Argentina?
Hail, frost, wind (inhibiting fruit set)
Describe the various meso-climates of Argentina from north to south
Jujuy is humid subtropical
Salta is subtropical highland
Tucuman/Catamarca/La Rioja are hot semi-arid, moving down into Mendoza which is arid continental.
San Juan is a desert
All winegrowing regions in Patagonia are semi-arid continental.
What is the general elevation for vineyards in Argentina?
900M
What is Argentina’s largest region in terms of output?
The Central Provinces of Cuyo, which includes Mendoza, accounting for 75% of acreage on its own.
Where is Salta? What is it known for?
The North Region of Argentina; known for high altitude Torrontés. Some red grapes are also grown.
Salta: elevation, natural features and major grapes
1280-3100M in elevation
Calchaqui Valleys, Andes
Torrontes Riojano, Cab Sauv, Malbec, Merlot, Tannat
Departmental IG’s (subregions) of Salta
Cachi
Molinos
San Carlos
CAFAYATE
What region sits between Salta and La Rioja? What are its subregions?
Catamarca
Santa Maria
TINOGASTA, Belén, Andalgata (unofficial)
Catamarca: Elevation, Natural Features, Major Grapes
1000-2100M in elevation
Andes, Ambaucán River
Majority plantings of Cereza; however, quality grapes are growing in number.
What and where is Fiambalá Valley?
A subsection of Tinogasta. 1500M in elevation, sheltered to the east and west by steep hillsides (rain shadow), irrigated by snowmelt.
What are the provinces of Cuyo, from north to south?
La Rioja
San Juan
Mendoza
La Rioja: major subregions, natural features, elevation
Famatina Valley, Chilecito, Felipe Varela
Sierras de Velasco (west), Sierra de Famatina (east)
935-1700M
What is significant about San Juan? What is its major product?
San Juan is the second largest province in Argentina by acreage (47,000ha to Mendoza’s 146,000ha). The climate is hot and much acreage is given to the pink skins; much production is brandy, vermouth, and sherry-styled wines, but there are some Syrah and Bondarda getting critical attention.
San Juan: Major Natural Features, Elevation
Andes, San Juan River (irrigates Tulum, Ullum, and Zonda, among others)
600-1350M
What is franco?
The local term for the alluvial soils of Mendoza.
What are the rivers of Mendoza?
Mendoza
Diamante
Tunuyan
Atuel
What is geographically significant about the Uco Valley?
Highest elevation vineyards in Mendoza.
What are the five sectors of Mendoza?
Northern, Central/Upper, Southern, Eastern, Uco Valley
What are the subregions of Central Mendoza?
Godoy Cruz
Maipú
Luján de Cuyo DOC
Luján de Cuyo: Subregions
Official: Agrelo, Las Compuertas
Unofficial: Ugarteche, Pedriel
Maipú: Subregions
Barrancas, Lunlunta, El Paraiso, Russell (unofficial)
What are the subregions of Uco Valley? Other than Malbec, what grapes are successful there?
Tupungato, Tunuyán, San Carlos (sub-subs La Consulta, Paraje Altamira)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sémillon
What and where is Gualtallary?
An unofficial subregion of Tupungato, 1500M high, stony, limestone soils. Star district.
What are the departements of Southern Mendoza? What is the grape?
San Rafael DOC
General Alvear
Chenin Blanc
What are the two DOC’s of Argentina? What are they authorized for?
Luján de Cuyo DOC: 100% Malbec in Central Mendoza
San Rafael DOC: Chenin Blanc + others in Southern Mendoza, used solely by Valentín Bianchi for base wine.
What region lies between Mendoza and Río Negro?
La Pampa
What are the winemaking provinces of Patagonia?
Chubut (20ha)
La Pampa
Río Negro
Neuquén
Where is Jujuy IG? Climate, altitude, and what wines does it produce?
Far northwest Argentina, on the border with Bolivia and Chile.
Humid subtropical climate, average 1250M.
Best for Torrontes, but reds are “improving.” Rarely seen outside the region.
Where is Tucumán IG? Cimate, elevation, major grapes?
In the North Region of Argentina, bordering Salta to the Northwest and Catamarca to the Southwest
Hot semi-arid
1675-2500M in elevation
Torrontes Riojano
What is the subregion of Tucumán?
Tafi
Where is Valles Calchaquíes IG?
The North Region of Argentina, following the course of the Calchaqui River. Includes all departmental Igs of Salta, Catamarca, and Tucuman.
Where is Córdoba Argentina IG? Subregions?
The “Center Region” - essentially east of the central provinces of Cuyo, opposite San Juan.
Colón (with Colonia Caroya district), Cruz del Eje, San Javier
Which province is excluded from the traditional region of Cuyo (but included in “New Cuyo”)?
La Rioja
What are the major subregions of San Juan?
Tulum Zonda Ullum Calingasta Pedernal
What are the subregions of Northern Mendoza?
Lavalle
Las Heras
Guaymallén
(north to south)
What are the subregions of Eastern Mendoza?
San Martín Junín Rivadavia Santa Rosa La Paz (north to south, west to east)
Which winemaking province of Patagonia is not officially an IG?
La Pampa
What is the sole subregion of La Pampa?
25 de Mayo, on the border with Rio Negro
What are the subregions of Neuquén IG?
Añelo
Confluencia
Neuquen: Elevation, Natural Features
400-450M
Limay River, Neuquén River
What are subregions of Río Negro IG?
(west to east)
General Roca (main)
Avellaneda
Pichimahuida (north), General Conesa (south)
Where does Argentina rank in terms of worldwide production?
Fifth largest producer of wine
Seventh largest exporter of wine
Major red grapes of Argentina?
Malbec, Bonarda, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Merlot, Tempranillo
Major white grapes of Argentina?
Pedro Giménez (bulk), Torrontés, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
What are the “pink skins” of Argentina?
Cereza, Criolla Chica, Criolla Grande (30% of the national average)
What are the three clones of Torrontes?
Torrontes Riojano (highest quality) Torrontes Mendocino Torrontes Sanjuanino
What is the parentage of Torrontes Riojano and Mendocino?
Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria
What year did Argentina implement “reserva” and “gran reserva” labeling? What varieties are eligible?
2008; Premium grapes (aka no pink skins).