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WSET 3 - Fall 2023 > Argentina > Flashcards

Argentina Flashcards

1
Q

What is Argentina’s signature wines?

A

Malbec
Torrontés (white)

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2
Q

What is the main natural feature of Argentina wine country?

A

Andes Mountains

Most vineyards are at high altitude (600+ meters), some as high as 2000m above the sea level.

The Andes create a rain shadow in Argentina.

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3
Q

What is the distance between the northernmost and the southernmost vineyards of Argentina?

A

1,500 Km separate Salta province and Neuquén in Patagonia.

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4
Q

The Salta province in Argentina is located at a latitude inhospitable (read: too hot) for grape growing.

How do Argentinian wine growers produce wine in this region?

A

By growing their vines at very high altitudes.

Most vineyards are planted at least 2,000m asl. Some of the highest vineyards in the world are located on near the town of Cafayate, rising 3,200m above sea level.

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5
Q

What is the local name for the pergola system in Argentina?

A

Parral

Situated high off the ground, the canopy protects clusters from the hot sun and ensures shade for the grapes.

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6
Q

What grape variety is still grown using the Parral trellising system?

A

Torrontés

Today most black/red grapes are trellised using VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning).

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7
Q

Is the rainfall in Argentina high or low?
Are vine growers allowed to irrigate their vineyards?

A

Rainfall in Argentina is low thanks to the rain shadow of the Andes.
Yes, irrigation is a must in Argentina. Water can be drawn from rivers flowin down the mountains or from subterranena aquifers

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8
Q

What forms of irrigation are used in Argentina?

A

Flood irrigation - water comes from mountain rivers or underground aquifers; used to be more common but is less so today;

Drip irrigation - more efficient and easier to control throughout parcels; more common in newer vineyards.

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9
Q

What are the weather hazards facing Argentinian vineyards?

A

Spring Frost
Summer Hail

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10
Q

How are Argentina vineyards are protected against hail?

A

By netting
by owning vineyards in several areas

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11
Q

What is the benefit of Argentina’s lack of rain and arid climate?

A

Low fungal disease pressure
Can make wines from organically grown grapes

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12
Q

What are the 3 most planted red varieties in Argentina?

A

Malbec (most planted)
Bonarda (second most planted)
Cabernet Sauvignon

Syrah, merlot, pinot noir and tempranillo are also grown

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13
Q

What are the principal white grape varieties of Argentina ?

A

Torrontés
Chardonnay

Pedro Gimenez(not the same as Pedro Ximénez) Is used for cheap wines and remains with the greatest plantings
Chenin blanc, sauvignon blanc, Semillon and Viognier are also grown

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14
Q

Describe the characteristics of Malbec of Argentina

A

deeply coloured, full bodied, with notes of black fruit, high levels of tannins

  • Can be extracted more gently for an elegant style
  • High quality Malbec are matured in new oakc, leading to spicy flavours
  • in every region of argentina, with regional difference

Use as varietal or in blend with Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot

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15
Q

What are the differences between malbec from lower or higher altitude ?

A
  • Lower altitudes : fuller bodied with richer black fruits
  • Higher altitudes : more elegagn , fresher floral aromas
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16
Q

Describe the characteristics of Bonarda grown in Argentina

A

deeply coloured, high acidity, high tannin

High yields: easy drinking with fruit raspberry and blackberry aromas
controlled yields : ripen fully, greater concentraion and structure

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17
Q

Where is mainly grown bonarda in Argentina?

A

Mendoza
San Juan

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18
Q

where is Torrontès widely planted in Argentina?

A

Salta
La Rioja
San Juan
mendoza

best from high altitude vineyards in Cafayate departement of Salta

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19
Q

What are the characteristics of Torrontès from Argentina?

A

intense fruity, floral perfume with mdium body, acidity
flavours of sonte fruits and melon
Usually fermented in inert, temperature controlled vessels
Released from the winery in the year of harvest

20
Q

What are the characteristics of Chardonnay from Argentina?

A

Often matured in oak barrels

21
Q

Where is the Salta Province located?

A

In the northern Argentina, near the border of Bolivia

22
Q

How the extreme altitude of salta influences wine?

A

Wines of great purity and concentration

23
Q

What is the best Torrontès Region in Salta?

A

Cafayate

Producing highly aromatic wines with great purity and concentration

24
Q

What are the other dominant black varieties in Cafayate?

A

Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon

25
Q

What are the three largest are of wine production in Argentina ?

A
  1. Mendoza
  2. San Juan
  3. La Rioja
26
Q

What grape varieties are grown in La Rijoa?

A

Torrontés, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Bonarda

27
Q

What wine province is located between Mendoza and La Rioja Province?

A

San Juan

28
Q

What are the most planted varieties of San Juan?

A

A
This province is particularly famous for its quality Syrah, but also Chardonnay, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

29
Q

where are located the vineyards of San Juan?

A

450-1400 metres above sea level, similar to Mendoza to the south

30
Q

What are the 5 subregions of Mendoza?

A

Northern
Eastern
Central
Uco Valley
Southern

The grapes are often blended to take advantage of different climate

31
Q

What is the climate of Mendoza ?

A

Desert conditions
Protected from rain by the andes and the vastness of Argentine Pampas

32
Q

What is the name of the river that flows through Northern and Eastern Mendoza and provides irrigation water ?

A

Mendoza River

33
Q

What are the high-volume area of Mendoza?

A

Northern and Eastern Mendoza

34
Q

What is the Mendoza area for high quality wine?

A

Central Mendoza

35
Q

What is the Mendoza sub-region known for high quality Malbec ?
Describe the region

A

Lujàn de Cuyo
Sub-region lies at around 900 to 1100 metres in altitude in the foothill of the Andes
South west of Mendoza Cirty
concentrated complex malbec wines

36
Q

What are the 2 most important GIs of the Central Mendoza region?

A

Luján de Cuyo
Maipú

37
Q

Describe Maipú departement

A

East of lujá de Cuyo
Lower altitudes
Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon perfrom well
Lower part is for high volumes wines

38
Q

Where are the highest vineyards of Mendoza ?

A

Uco Valley

39
Q

Describe Uco Valley area

A

Tupungato is recognized for the quality of its wine
retain acidity and fresh fruit flavours, with floral notes
Chardonnay, torrontés, sauvignon blanc, malbec, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and trempanillo flourish . Even pinot noir can grow in cooler sites

40
Q

What is the southernmost wine region of Argentina?

A

Patagonia

41
Q

What is the cooling influence in patagonia ?

A

The latitude, NOT the altitude

42
Q

Describe the climate of Patagonia

A

Cooling influence from latitude
Strong desert winds
low rainfall and wide diunral range (low incidence of disease)
Long daylight hours and coll nights provide concentrated fresh fruit flavours and medium high acidity

43
Q

In which province is located Patagonia?

A

Rio Negro province and Neuquén Province

44
Q

What grape varieties have significant plantings in Argentina’s Patagonia wine region?

A

Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Malbec
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon

45
Q

Explain Argentina Wine laws

A

Vineyards are split into three broad region
Only patagonia is widely seen on wine labels

Each region is split into provinces, which contain a number of specific departements, which contains districts, and even smaller districs

100% of the grapes must have come from within the geographical limits of GI

WSET 3 - Fall 2023 (42 decks)

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