Argentina Flashcards
What is the climate of Argentina?
Continental
What is the Zonda?
A fierce and hot afternoon wind in Argentina that blows down from the mountains in late spring and early summer. Can adversely affect flowering
What are Argentina’s most planted white grapes?
Pedro Giménez
Torrontés
Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc
What are Argentina’s most planted red grapes?
Malbec
Bonarda
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Merlot
Tempranillo
What does Reserva mean in Argentina?
Minimum 6 months of aging for white wine
Minimum 1 year aging for red
Does NOT have to be oak!
What does Gran Reserva mean in Argentina?
Minimum 1 year of aging for white wine
Minimum 2 years aging for red
Does NOT have to be oak!
What is Center Region?
An indicacion geográfica in Argentina
What is Cuyo?
A large region – an indicacion geográfica – in Argentina that includes the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan and La Rioja
What is the northernmost wine-growing Province in Argentina?
Salta
What are the two southernmost provinces in Argentina?
Rio Negro
Neuquén
Both in Patagonia
What are the range of Argentina vineyard altitudes?
Salta - 2000m
Most vineyards - >600m
Rio Negro/Neuquén - <600m
What training systems are used in Argentina?
Pergola (due to heat), called Parral in Argentina
Still common for Torrontés
Black grapes are often vertically trellised
VSP used especially for high volume inexpensive wines
Water management Argentina
Irrigation common
Formerly flood, now drip
Weather risks Argentina and how addressed?
Spring frosts (occasionally)
Summer hail (regular hazard, especially Mendoza)
Netting and owning multiple vineyards are solutions used
Disease risk Argentina
Few rot and mildew problems due to dryness
Bonarda main growing areas
Mendoza
San Juan
Torrontés main growing areas
Salta
La Rioja
San Juan
Mendoza
Pedro Gimenez
1 planted white in Argentina
White variety in Argentina
Not same as PX
Used in cheap domestic wines
La Rioja Argentina
IG in Cuyo IG
3rd largest production area in Argentina
Most wines are labelled as Famatina
Famatina Valley
Main vineyard area in La Rioja Argentina
Large volume production
Irrigation
What is Mendoza?
A subregion indicacion geográfica in Cuyo IG
Mendoza climate
Desert-like
Andes make rain shadow in West
Pampas prevent rain in East
Is blending common in Mendoza?
Common
Due to different climates in the 5 main divisions
What are the divisions in Mendoza?
Northern
Eastern
Central
Southern
Uco Valley (also an IG)
Northern Mendoza wine styles - and why?
High-volume, inexpensive wine
Irrigation from Mendoza rivers makes high-volume possible
Eastern Mendoza wine styles - and why?
High-volume, inexpensive wine
Irrigation from Mendoza rivers makes high-volume possible
Luján de Cuyo wine styles - and why?
Department in Central Mendoza
Known for excellent Malbec
900-1100m
Central Mendoza wine styles - and why?
Premium wine region
Maipú - what, where, grapes & styles?
Department in Central Mendoza
East of Luján de Cuyo, and at lower altitude
CS, Syrah
Eastern, lower part makes high-volume, inexpensive wines, but also old vine Bonarda and Tempranillo
Uco Valley - what, where, styles & elevation?
A division of Mendoza and a GI
Premium wine region
900-1500m (highest vineyards in Mendoza)
What is Uco Valley climate?
Diurnal
What is Tupungato and what wine does it produce?
Department in Uco Valley and a GI
Premium Pinot Noir
What is San Rafael, where is it, what grape is it known for?
Department in Southern Mendoza, a GI and a DOC
Lower altitude than rest of Mendoza, but also south = one of the coldest areas in Mendoza
Chenin Blanc
What is Argentina’s export situation?
Approximately 20% is exported, primarily to the US.
Wine makers should be paying attention to possible decline in popularity of Malbec (it’s already off its peak since 2000s.)
Domestic market is hugely important, but Argentinians are drinking less / drinking better.
What is Patagonia?
A region in Argentina - also a GI
Patagonia altitude
200-250m
Very low compared to rest of Argentina
Patagonia challenges
Strong deserts winds are a challenge
Patagonia disease challenges
Low
Low rainfall and wide diurnal range
Patagonia key grapes
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
Malbec
Merlot
Highest vineyards in the world location
Salta
Some 3000m
Dominant grape Salta
Torrontés (especially in Cafayate)
Cafayate - what, where, and what grapes?
A GI in Salta
Torrontés
Malbec, CS
What is the hectares under vine in Argentina? What matters most about growing grapes in Argentina?
200,000 ha under vine
Continental climate – irrigation essential
Latitude & altitude matter
What do the different geographic designations mean in Argentina?
IP - Indication of Origin - only geographical
IG (or GI) - Geographical Indication – “meets a certain quality made from a geographical area considered capable of producing quality grapes.” -> Climate/soil not political boundaries
DOC - legislated wine-making criteria.
Only 2 - Lujan de Cuyo & San Rafael in Mendoze
What areas in Argentina have calcareous soils (and hence make high quality wine)?
UCO VALLEY:
- Gualtallary district
- Paraje Altamira GI
SAN JUAN
Pedernal Valley GI
