Argentina Flashcards
Start of export in Argentina?
Very high domestic consumption traditionally, but declining in past 50 years
Nicolas Catena started looking at exporting in the 1990s - quality over quantity
Climate in Argentina?
Wide diurnal range
Intense sunlight/UV radiation
Continental Climate
Low rainfall
Zonda - dry, powerful spring wind that lowers humidity
Hail + frost issues
El nino
Soil in Argentina?
Alluvial
Deeper loam/clay at lower altitude
Poor soils at higher altitude
Irrigation in Argentina?
Flood irrigation common - cheap
Network of dams and irrigation channels dating back to the 1500’s
Recent increase in drip irrigation - cheaper for new vineyards and more sustainable
Viticulture in Argentina?
High pergola systems (Parral)
- Away from hot ground, shade from sun
Mostly ungrafted vines
Nematodes
Increasing organic, but few certified
Mechanical harvesting increasing due to labor issues
What is Cereza?
Historic high-yielding pink variety
Still 20% of total vineyard plantings
Similar to Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica (Pais)
Describe Malbec:
20% of plantings
Vigorous
Mid-ripening
Deep-colored
Full-bodied
High, soft tannins
High alcohol
Ripe blackberry, black plum
Can be varied based on altitude
Smaller berries/bunches and softer tannins than French clones
Describe Bonarda:
Late ripening
High yielding
Mainly domestic consumption
Deep color
Med+ acid
Med tannin
Med alcohol
Oak overwhelms, so new rarely used
Red grape varieties in Argentina?
Malbec
Bonarda
Cab Sauv
Syrah
Tempranillo
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Cab Franc
Petit Verdot/Tannat on the rise
Describe Pedro Gimenez:
Most planted white variety
Neutral grape
Mainly domestic consumption
Plantings falling in favor of black grapes
Describe Torrontes:
3 different varieties, Torrontes Riojano most common
Cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica
Vigorous, high yielding
Early ripening (over-ripens easily)
Tiers of GI’s in Argentina?
Region
Province
Sub Region
Department
District
GI Inside District
Labeling laws in Argentina?
Varietal - 85%
Vintage - 85%
GI/DOC - 100%
Aging laws in Argentina?
Reserva - 12 months for reds, 6 months for whites/roses
Gran Reserva - 24 months for reds, 12 months for whites/roses
Describe Mendoza:
Irrigated by River Mendoza
75% of Argentina vineyard area 67% of production
62% Black, 22% Pink, 16% White
25% Malbec
Sub regions of Mendoza:
Northern (bulk)
Eastern (bulk)
Central
Valle de Uco
Southern
Describe Central Mendoza:
“Primera Zona”
Contains Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu
Malbec dominates; Cab Sauv, Syrah, Tempranillo
Describe Lujan de Cuyo:
Old vine Malbecs and Semillon particularly famous
Home to many districts - Agrelo and Las Compuertas
DOC Lujan de Cuyo was the first
- 24 mo aging requirement, 12 mo in oak
Describe Maipu:
Intensely fruity Malbecs with higher alcohol and softer tannins
Old vine Bonarda
Describe Uco Valley:
Highest, coolest vineyards in Mendoza
Drip irrigation used
GI Valle de Uco crosses 3 departments: Tupungato, Tunuyan, San Carlos
Describe Tupungato:
Mount Tupungato volcano
Malbec, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Pinot Noir
Chard, Sauv Blanc
Famous district: Gualtallary- limestone soils, high quality
Lighter body, higher acid
Describe Paraje Altamira:
GI within San Carlos department
Malbec, Cab Sauv, Syrah
More intense, full bodied
Describe Southern Mendoza:
Department San Rafael contains majority of vineyards
Summer hailstorms
More medium-bodied reds
Chenin Blanc is signature white
Describe San Juan Province:
High-yielding pink varieties
Area under vine decreasing (currently 2nd largest)
Malbec, Bonarda, Syrah common
Contains GI Pedernal Valley
Describe La Rioja Province:
High volume reds and whites
Labeled “La Rioja Argentina” for export
Most wine made by La Riojana co-op - single largest producer of Fairtrade certified wines
Describe Salta Province:
Vineyards along Calchaqui River (irrigation in desert)
Intense sunlight
Zonda wind
Malbec has herbal/floral notes
GI Cafayate: known for Torrontes
Describe Patagonia:
Longer growing season, cooler climate
Low rainfall
Constant wind
Malbec still dominates
Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Merlot, Semillon, Chard, Riesling
Includes Rio Negro and Neuquen provinces
Describe Rio Negro Province:
Old vine Semillon, Pinot Noir, and Malbec
Old history of winemaking
Describe Neuquen Province:
Newer region (20 years)
Few vineyards
Warmer, arid region
Malbec, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauv Blanc
Argentina production and export?
5th largest wine producing country
13mil hL production
USA main export market
MERCOSUR free trade agreement - trade in other Latin America countries
Promotional bodies of Argentina?
Wines of Argentina - Organizes Malbec World Day
COVIAR - “Strategy 2020” - promote wine domestically and export
