Argentina Flashcards by Emma Findlayson

How is Salta and its sub-region Cafayate cooled?

Altitude (Cafayate is at 2000m)

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Apart from Patagonia, what can be said about the geography of Argentina’s vineyards?

They are all at altitude.

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How do the Andes influence the climate in Argentina?

The Andes creates a rain shadow causing
Dry desert
Bright sunshine
Hail

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In Argentina, older vineyards growing Torrontés use Parral in the vineyard. What is Parral?

Pergola system of trellising.

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What are the two advantages of a Parral (pergola trellising) system in Argentina?

It shades the grapes from the bright sunshine.
Lifts the grapes off the hot ground.

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The desert-like vineyards in Argentina need irrigation. Which two methods are most common?

Flood irrigation
Drip irrigation

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What two weather hazards do vineyards in Argentina need to cope with?

Spring frosts
Hail

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In Argentina, what are two methods for dealing with hail?

Netting
Diversification of sites to avoid localised hail

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In Argentina, it is quite common for growers to own multiple vineyard sites. What are the two main advantages of this?

Risk management to avoid complete loss from localised hail.
Blending opportunities.

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Why is organic farming easier in Argentina than in many other regions, such as Bordeaux?

The dry climate means rot or mildew are rarely a problem, making organics easier.

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What is Argentina’s flagship grape variety?

Malbec

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Malbec from Argentina is often deep in colour with high, smooth tannins and high quality examples are aged in new oak. How does the style differ from lower altitudes to higher altitudes?

Higher altitudes:
Elegant
Fresher, floral aromas

Lower altitudes:
Fuller bodied
Richer black fruit

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What is Argentina’s second most planted grape variety?

Bonarda

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Argentina produces Bonarda that is deeply coloured with high acidity and high tannins. What fruit aromas do the easy drinking styles of Bonarda often have?

Raspberry & blackberry aromas.

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Where in Argentina is Bonarda mainly planted?

San Juan
Mendoza

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What is Argentina’s white signature grape?

Torrontés

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Which region in Argentina is responsible for producing some of the best Torrontés?

Cafayate in Salta

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Below is a description of one of the best Torrontés from Cafayate in Salta. Wines like this represent what style of grape?

“Fruity, floral perfume, medium body & acidity with flavours of stone fruits & melon”

Aromatic

Many aromatic white wines such as Torrontés are usually fermented in what type of vessel?

Inert temperature controlled.

How long is Torrontés from Argentina maturated at the winery before release?

Very little.
They are released from the winery in the year of harvest.

Apart from Torrontés, which other white grape variety is widely planted in Argentina & produces premium wines matured in oak barrels?

Chardonnay

At what altitude are some of the highest vineyards in Salta located?

3000m

Torrontés from Salta and Cafayate is known for what characteristic, associated with high altitudes (2000-3000m)?

Great purity and concentration & highly aromatic

High altitudes are associated with bright days & cold nights (diurnal) helping grapes hold on to their acidity and fresh fruit flavours.

What are the dominant white and two dominant red grape varieties in Cafayate?

White:
Torrontés

Red:
Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon

What is Argentina's second most important wine region?

San Juan

San Juan's vineyards are at 450-1400m. Which other region has similar altitudes?

Mendoza

What is Argentina's most important wine region, accounting for most of the wine produced in Argentina?

Mendoza

What best describes the climate and conditions in Mendoza?

Desert Extreme continental, big diurnals.

In Mendoza, which region has a reputation for producing old vine wines and very fine examples of Malbec at 900-1100m in the Andes foothills?

Luján de Cuyo

In Mendoza, which region lies to the east of Luján de Cuyo but with vineyards lower down, where Cabernet Sauvignon performs well. Lower altitudes of the region produce inexpensive wines.

Maipú

Which of Mendoza's regions is the highest, with altitudes of 900-1500m?

Uco Valley

How does the high altitude of 900-1500m for the Uco Valley affect the wine style?

Cool nights help to retain acidity & fresh fruit flavours, sometimes floral.

Which region is the lowest in Argentina at 200-250m?

Patagonia

What is different about Patagonia's climate compared to other regions in Argentina?

It is cooled by its latitude of 39° rather than by altitude.

What do dry days with a big diurnal range do for the risk of disease in the vineyards in Patagonia?

Lower disease risk.

For the following regions give the country, important sub-regions, altitudes and grape varieties. Salta, San Juan, Mendoza, Patagonia

Salta 3000m Torrontés, 26° latitude Cafayate 2000m Torrontés, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon San Juan 450-1400m Mendoza Uco 900-1500m Torrontés, Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon Luján de Cuyo 900-1100m Malbec - old Vine Maipú Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda - old Vine Patagonia 200-250m Malbec, 39° latitude

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?