Argentina Flashcards
When was the first recorded vineyard in Argentina planted by Spanish settlers?
1550s
When did Argentina declared independent from Spain?
1816
What are the pink varieties of Argentina?
Cereza, Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica
Who is responsible started to look export markets?
Nicolas Catena
Who is a famous wine consultant that arrived in 1980s and 1990s?
Michael Rolland
What are the altitude of Argentinian vineyards?
500 to above 1000 meters
What are the key effects of altitude?
- wide diurnal temperature range
- cooler night tempeatures
- a high proportion of ultraviolet radiation = higher levels of tannins and anthocyanins
What are the general climate of Argentina?
a continental climate with low rainfall
What is the name of the hot, dry powerful wind which usually blows across Argentina in late spring and early summer?
Zonda
How producers prevent the date of hail?
- many producers use netting to protect their vines but covering a large vineyard area is very expensive, so only the most prized sites may be netted.
- Rockets may be fired into thunderclouds, seeding them with silver iodde ro cause railfall rather than hail
what precautions can be taken to mitigate the risks of frost?
To mitigate the risks, avoid planting at the bottom of slopes as cold air is heavier than warm air and accumulates at the bottom of a slope and in valleys. If the area is prone to frost planting on the slope is the best option. Trellising should allow for vines to be trained higher from the ground. Bare soil absorbs heat in comparison to cover crops (including grass) and should be considered in frost prone areas. Delaying pruning is an option if frost is likely as it will delay budburst.
What type of soils are most of Argentina’s vineyards planted on?
Alluvial soils
When did a vine pulled scheme introduced?
1970s/80s
What is the typical method of irrigation?
flood irrigation
What is the traditional pergola system called?
Parral, to raise the grapes away from the heat of the ground and provide shade for the fruit
It is common for Criolla Grande, and Chicam Cereza and Pedro Gimenez
Why are the majority of vines are ungrafted?
- Phylloxera has not caused any significant problems
- sandy soils
- arid climate
What are the examples of the modernization of viticulture in Argentina?
- Mecanical harvesting
- drip irrigation
- canopy management
- clonal selection
What are the most planted varieties in Argentina?
- Malbec
- Pink Criolla varieties
- Bornada
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Pedro Gimenez
- Torrontes
- Chardonnay
What are the characteristics of Malbec from cooler sites (high altitude)?
- lower alcohol
- medium (+) acidity
- firm, medium tannins
- fresh fruit flavors with a mixture of red and black fruit and floral or herbal aromas
What are the characteristics of Malbec from warmer sites?
- fuller bodied with riper fuirt characteristics
- lower acidity
- softer tannins
When does Malbec ripen?
a Mid-ripening
When does Bornada ripen?
a late-ripening variety
Who are the significant producers of super-premium wines?
Catena Zapata
What is the most planted white grape?
Pedro Gimenez
What are the 3 different varieties of Torrontes?
Torrontes Riojano
Torrontes Sanjuanino
Torrontes Mendocino
What are the grape varieties is Torrontes a cross of?
Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria
When does Torrontes ripen?
an early ripening
Where is Torrontes successfully grown?
Cafayate in Salta