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WSET Diploma D3 > Argentina > Flashcards

Argentina Flashcards

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1
Q

brief history of Argentina

A
  1. 15th century spanish settlers, then indipendence, europeans (italy, spain, france) bring viticolture and varietals with them before philoxxera
  2. political crisis 20th century, high domestic market of inexpensive wines
  3. fall of domestic market in the 70s, Nicolas Catena looks for export market focusing on quality (also economic push from Rolland, Paul Hobbs, Alberto Antonini), malbec becomes popular
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2
Q

latitude and altitude

A

latitude LOW (so you need altitude)
altitude HIGH (500mt lowest up 3300mt)

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3
Q

even at highest altitudes where are vineyards planted?

A

on flat or gently slopes sites

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4
Q

main influences of high altitude

A
  1. wide diurnal range (extend growing season = retain aroma and acidity)
  2. high proportion of ultraviolets radiation (high levels of tannins anto anthocyanins)
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5
Q

5 viticultural problems in argentina

A
  1. lack of rain
  2. strong winds
  3. hail
  4. frost
  5. el nino
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6
Q

lack or rain in argentina; why, how much and remedy

A
  1. rain shadow effect of the andes
  2. less than 200ml a year
  3. irrigation

also hot dry air reduce fungal

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7
Q

zonda wind: what it is, when, what it does, remedy

A
  1. strong hot dry wind, from the mountains gets into the valleys
  2. late spring, early summer
  3. reduce fungal; lowers humitidy (water stress); affects flowering, fruit set and damage grapes (reduce yields)
  4. trees (poplas) as windbreaks
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8
Q

hail: remedies and main problem

A
  1. netting (netting is too expensive for larger areas (only best sites are protected)
  2. multiple sites to minimise risk
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9
Q

where is frost a problem in argentina?

A

flat areas, bottom slopes both in high and low altitude

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10
Q

what is el nino? when occurs? problems?

A
  1. is a phenomenon/current
  2. every 2 to 10 years
  3. brings high rainfall and hailstorms - damage crops, increase diseases risk (can reduce up to 50% of the crop)
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11
Q

general soils of argentina

A

alluvial soils from rivers running down from the andes

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12
Q

specific soils of argentina by altitude

A

all of alluvial origin, all poor (low yielding) 1. high altitude - stones with calcareous deposits 2. mid altitude - gravel, sand, silt 3. low altitude - loam, clay

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13
Q

terroir studies on soils in argentina

A

recently studies are starting to emerge to check texture and soil composition especially of deposits of calcareous soils in top areas such as Gualtallary, Paraje Altamira (Uco Valley) and Pedernal Valley (San Juan)

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14
Q

plantings and vines age

A

200k ha (before it was more, fall of domestic demand) 30% is over 40 years old vines

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15
Q

lack of rain: three main remedies

A
  1. natural remedies
  2. flood irrigation
  3. drip irrigation
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16
Q

rain natural remedies to improve irrigation

A
  1. rivers (like river Mendoza)
  2. snow from the andes
  3. dams and irrigation channel (16th century)
  4. reservoirs
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17
Q

flood irrigation: what is it, why it works, how much water is used?

A
  1. water is released into a vineyard
  2. free draining soils absorbs into the soil, cheap (70% most used system)
  3. equivalent of a heavy summer rainfall
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18
Q

why drip irrigation is an option in argentina?

A
  1. is cheaper on new vineyards on slopes (they will have to lever the terrain instead for flood)
  2. areas with not sufficient sources of above ground water for flood (canals, river)
  3. better use of water and maximum control

used in Mendoza, La Rioja and San Juan

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19
Q

timing of irrigation

A
  1. high amounts in winter - replicate winter rainfall
  2. low amounts during growing seasons (from every 2 days to 2 weeks) for root growth
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20
Q

vine training in argentina

A
  1. parral (pergola) - traditional, to avoid ground heat and augment shading, used in warmer areas especially for torrontez (aromatics) or high yield (criolla chica/grande, pedro gimenez)
  2. VPS - better for modern canopy management/drip irrigation
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21
Q

grafting: is it used in argentina?

A

yes, mainly to avoid nematodes risks and to increase drought tolerance sandy soils/arid climate kills philloxera

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22
Q

is organic/biodynamic used and why?

A

yes, because of little threats of fungal diseases number is low but growing

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23
Q

harvesting in argentina

A

traditional is hand harvest (low pay labour) now machine: faster, cheaper, few labourers for low paid jobs

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24
Q

main modernisation in argentina viticolture

A
  1. drip irrigation
  2. canopy management
  3. clonal selection (nicolas catena on malbec)
  4. picking dates = wine styles
  5. different soil types study
  6. new areas are considered (higher on the mountains, closer to th atlantic ocean, and south areas)
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25
Q

bulk production of argentina: grapes and market change

A
  1. cereza, criolla grande/chica (pink skinned varieties), currently at 20% of total plantings
  2. drop down during the 90s, originally these white/pink were most planted now market knows about reds (internationally) 53% planting is red
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26
Q

malbec ripening and vigour

A

mid ripening high vigour

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27
Q

malbec styles

A
  1. export market expectations (high soft tannins and alcohol, black plum)
  2. quality level: from inexpensive to ultra premium
  3. blends: bordeaux inspired blends (with also bonarda and syrah)
  4. terroir: cooler sites (lower alcohol, higher acidity), warmer sites (full body, ripe) and blends of the two [single vineyards are growing in fine wine markets]
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28
Q

planting material

A

high arrays of selection

  1. cuttings from france during philloxera periods (high quality)
  2. clonal research/selection massale studies
  3. generally smaller berries with softer tannins
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29
Q

bonarda plantings

A

2nd most planted 85% consumed domestically (not strong on exports)

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30
Q

is bonarda in argentina the same as Italy?

A

no, infact they called it bonarda argentina to differentiate

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31
Q

where is bonarda grown?

A

san juan and warmer areas of mendoza

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32
Q

bonarda main features

A
  1. late-ripening 2. high yielding
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33
Q

styles of bonarda

A

mostly inexpensive wines for domestic consumption, some fine wines

  1. deep colour, red/blanc friuts, medium (+) acidity and medium tannins and alcohol, oak is usually big formats (small takes over too much), usually in blends with malbec or cab sauv
  2. more complex, mid prices to premium fine wines, riper fruit, lower yields, old vines (Maipu, Luyan de Cuyo, east Mendoza)
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34
Q

cabernet sauvignon in argentina

A
  1. more susceptible to temperatures - site selection important
  2. malbec blends, now more single varietals
  3. less plantings because of competition with other markets
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35
Q

where is syrah planted in argentina?

A

hotter sites of mendoza and san juan

36
Q

less important black varieties planted in argentina

A
  1. tempranllo
  2. merlot (for blends)
  3. pinot noir (patagonia, uco high altitude)
  4. cabernet franc
  5. petit verdot
  6. tannat
37
Q

how winemaking changed in argentina?

A
  1. traditionally influence from france, spain, italy: large oak, oxidation
  2. foreigna investors: modern winemaking for big oaky wines
  3. now is fresher wines, whole bunch, natural, new vessels (egg, concred, new barrique or old big botti) and more superpremium wines and single vineyards (Catena Zapate, Vina Cobos, Achaval Ferrer) and increase or rose production (and vineyards made for rose’)
38
Q

most planted white and specs

A

pedro gimenez (it is not px) simple inexpensive bulk

39
Q

best place for growing white grapes in argentina

A

cool areas high altitude e.g. Uco Valley

40
Q

3 varietis of torrontes and highest quality one

A
  1. torrontes riojano (best quality, 2nd most planted white varietal)
  2. torrontes sanjuanino
  3. torrontes mendocino
41
Q

torrontes is a cross between:

A

muscat of alexandria X criolla chica

42
Q

keys to make a good torrontes:

A
  1. reduce yields (high vigour)
  2. early harvesting (early ripening, can go over-ripe easily)
  3. temperature control (maintains floral and fruity character)

can be single varietal or blend, can be unoaked or oaked

43
Q

places for torrontez

A

high altitude: salta - cafayate and uco valley widely planted in mendoza, san juan and la rioja for high plantings

44
Q

other white varieties in argentina

A

chardonnay semillon chenin blanc sauvignon blanc viognier

45
Q

3 tier system of GI

A

IP - large geographical area
IG/GI - quality wine made from a specific area
DOC - specific area with delimited laws

46
Q

DOC of Argentina

A
  1. Lujan de Cujo
  2. San Rafael

both in Mendoza
only a few producers are using this law

47
Q

GI levels

A
  1. region: cujo
  2. province: mendoza
  3. sub region: uco valley
  4. department: san carlos
  5. district: la consulta
  6. sub discritc paraje altamira
48
Q

how GI are formed

A
  1. generally by political borders
  2. some by terroir, climate and soil (e.g. Paraje Altamira)
49
Q

general argentinian laws

A
  1. if GI or DOC, 85% is only from grapes from the area
  2. if vintage is signed 85% comes from the vintage
  3. single varietal signed 85% from stated varietal
  4. if 2/3 varieties are mentioned 85% needs to come from those grapes
50
Q

reserva vs gran reserva

A
  1. reserva: 12mos red, 6 for white/rose
  2. gran reseva: twice as long
51
Q

The region of Cuyo is formed by the provinces of:

A

Mendoza San Juan La Rioja

52
Q

Mendoza accounts for how much of Argentina production?

A

75% largest wine producing province

53
Q

Where the vineyards are located in Mendoza?

A

500-1500mt mostly at the base of the Andes, now some in the foothills

54
Q

Mendoza 5 sub-areas division

A
  1. northern
  2. eastern
  3. central (luyan de cuyo, maipu)
  4. uco valley (tupungato, tunuyan, san carlos)
  5. southern (san rafael)
55
Q

northern and eastern mendoza wine style

A
  1. cheap, large volume (irrigation from mendoza and tunuyan river, low altitude)
  2. high quality low yield tempranillo and bonarda
56
Q

how is central mendoza known for and altitude

A

primera zona (longest history of wine production) 600 - 1100 mt

57
Q

Luyan de Cuyo location

A

south west of the city of Mendoza Andes foothills 900-1100mt

58
Q

Luyan de Cuyo is famous for

A

old vines malbec

59
Q

DOC Lujan de Cuyo ageing

A

24 months ageing (12 in oak) used for malbec only by a very small number of producers

60
Q

most famous smaller GIs inside Lujan de Cuyo

A
  1. La Compuertas - highest vineyards (also some Chard and Sauv B and Bordeaux varietals)
  2. Agrelo - lower with more clay (also Semillon)
61
Q

maipu styles and location

A

south east from the city of mendoza lower/warmer (600mt to 900mt)

  1. highest altitude old vines malbec (softest tannins, more than mendoza)
  2. low warm sites for bulk or high quality cab sauv, tempranillo and old vines bonarda
62
Q

uco valley main feature

A

high altitude (850 to 1500mt) coolest area of mendoza and highest vineyards of the region huge investments from top producers mainly black and some whites all premium

63
Q

uco valley 3 departments

A

tupungato tunuyan san carlos

64
Q

tupungato location and grapes

A

most northern and highest of the sub-areas of uco foot of mount tupungato volcano

malbec, cab sauv/franc, pinot noir, chard, sauvignon

65
Q

most important district of tupungato and specs

A

gualtallary - top high quality district

  1. highest department 1100-1600 (long strip of vineyards)
  2. limestone soils
  3. lighter body, high acidity

also blends of malbec and cab franc

66
Q

tunuyan grape varieties planted and why

A

wide array because of different altitudes (south of tupungato) red, fruity wines in lower altitude pinot noir in high altitude

67
Q

san carlos varieties

A

old vine plantings of malbec and cab sauv in higher elevation sites and syrah in warmer areas

68
Q

most important GI of san carlos

A

paraje altamira

alluvial fan with variety of soils (mostly stony top soil and high calcium carbonate)
1000 -1200mt
intense full body

69
Q

is gualtallary a GI?

A

not yet but it is in the process of becoming one

70
Q

in southern mendoza wine is mainly made in which GI department?

A

san rafael

71
Q

san rafael climate specs

A

southern mendoza (longer growing season - good acid retention) lower altitue (450 to 850) prone to summer hailstorms

72
Q

biggest production in argentina by province

A
  1. mendoza
  2. san juan (is not even 1/3 of mendoza)
  3. la rioja
73
Q

san juan climate and location

A

morth of mendoza
600-1500mt altitude

lower sites inexpensive wines of pink skinned varietals (production is going down for not selling much)
higher sites, andes foothill better quality malbec, bonarda, but especially syrah which is becoming main variety

74
Q

most important GI in San Juan

A

pedernal valley 1250-1500mt, close to mendoza fresher wines

75
Q

la rioja, confusion problem with spain

A

for export is labeled as La Rioja Argentina

76
Q

la rioja production

A

inexpensive wines from famatina valley (torrontes, cab sauv, malbec, syrah) main producer is La Riojana co-operative

77
Q

salta main climatic specs

A
  1. valley next to calchaqui river (provide water for irrigation)
  2. closest region to equator
  3. highest altitue (1500-3000mt) intense sunlight (+ antocyanins/tannins)
  4. mountains surrounding the area are shadowing the vineyards
  5. zonda presence, vines are making thicker skins and lower yields
78
Q

most important GI of salta and grape produced

A

Cafayate - 1700mt, south of the region un-oaked Torrontes

79
Q

patagonia climatic specs

A
  1. low altitude (400mt)
  2. south (higher latitue, longer growing season)
  3. low rainfall (200mt) - irrigation is needed
  4. winds - helps ripening, can distrupt flowering and damage vines (barriers or poplar trees)
80
Q

main grapes planted in patagonia

A

pinot noir cabernet franc merlot semillon chardonnay riesling malbec still the most planted

81
Q

two main GIs of patagonia

A

Rio Negro
Neuquen

82
Q

rio negro and neuquen differences

A
  1. rio negro has old vines (wine produced since 100years ago and low elevation (180-270)
  2. neuquen recent region, warmer and arid area, small production
83
Q

argentina production overall

A

13 million hl a year 5th largest producer in the world production fluctuates according to el nino

84
Q

export argentinian wines

A

mostly to US, UK, Spain, Canada, Brazil
also other latin american countries because of MERCOSUR free trade agrimeent

represents 20% of production (domestic is still important)
boom at the start of 2000 because of week peso

fall because of inflation and low yields in 16 because of el nino, also foreign ownership of land was blocked till 2016 so less investment

mostly is single vineyard malbec

85
Q

who owns land and wineries in argentina?

A

average vineyard size is minus 5 ha (60% of it) mostly family owned (also catena and zuccardi) big co-op groupes FaCoViTa (collective of 28 co-ops) and Grupo Penaflor account for high production total now investment from outside (Italy, Spain, France, Chile)

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