Argentina Flashcards
What is Argentina’s signature wines?
Malbec
Torrontés (white)
What is the main natural feature of Argentina wine country?
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.
What is the distance between the northernmost and the southernmost vineyards of Argentina?
1,500 Km separate Salta province and Neuquén in Patagonia.
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?
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.
What is the local name for the pergola system in Argentina?
Parral
Situated high off the ground, the canopy protects clusters from the hot sun and ensures shade for the grapes.
What grape variety is still grown using the Parral trellising system?
Torrontés
Today most black/red grapes are trellised using VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning).
Is the rainfall in Argentina high or low?
Are vine growers allowed to irrigate their vineyards?
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
What forms of irrigation are used in Argentina?
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.
What are the weather hazards facing Argentinian vineyards?
Spring Frost
Summer Hail
How are Argentina vineyards are protected against hail?
By netting
by owning vineyards in several areas
What is the benefit of Argentina’s lack of rain and arid climate?
Low fungal disease pressure
Can make wines from organically grown grapes
What are the 3 most planted red varieties in Argentina?
Malbec (most planted)
Bonarda (second most planted)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah, merlot, pinot noir and tempranillo are also grown
What are the principal white grape varieties of Argentina ?
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
Describe the characteristics of Malbec of Argentina
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
What are the differences between malbec from lower or higher altitude ?
- Lower altitudes : fuller bodied with richer black fruits
- Higher altitudes : more elegagn , fresher floral aromas
Describe the characteristics of Bonarda grown in Argentina
deeply coloured, high acidity, high tannin
High yields: easy drinking with fruit raspberry and blackberry aromas
controlled yields : ripen fully, greater concentraion and structure
Where is mainly grown bonarda in Argentina?
Mendoza
San Juan
where is Torrontès widely planted in Argentina?
Salta
La Rioja
San Juan
mendoza
best from high altitude vineyards in Cafayate departement of Salta
What are the characteristics of Torrontès from Argentina?
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
What are the characteristics of Chardonnay from Argentina?
Often matured in oak barrels
Where is the Salta Province located?
In the northern Argentina, near the border of Bolivia
How the extreme altitude of salta influences wine?
Wines of great purity and concentration
What is the best Torrontès Region in Salta?
Cafayate
Producing highly aromatic wines with great purity and concentration
What are the other dominant black varieties in Cafayate?
Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the three largest are of wine production in Argentina ?
- Mendoza
- San Juan
- La Rioja
What grape varieties are grown in La Rijoa?
Torrontés, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Bonarda
What wine province is located between Mendoza and La Rioja Province?
San Juan
What are the most planted varieties of San Juan?
A
This province is particularly famous for its quality Syrah, but also Chardonnay, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
where are located the vineyards of San Juan?
450-1400 metres above sea level, similar to Mendoza to the south
What are the 5 subregions of Mendoza?
Northern
Eastern
Central
Uco Valley
Southern
The grapes are often blended to take advantage of different climate
What is the climate of Mendoza ?
Desert conditions
Protected from rain by the andes and the vastness of Argentine Pampas
What is the name of the river that flows through Northern and Eastern Mendoza and provides irrigation water ?
Mendoza River
What are the high-volume area of Mendoza?
Northern and Eastern Mendoza
What is the Mendoza area for high quality wine?
Central Mendoza
What is the Mendoza sub-region known for high quality Malbec ?
Describe the region
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
What are the 2 most important GIs of the Central Mendoza region?
Luján de Cuyo
Maipú
Describe Maipú departement
East of lujá de Cuyo
Lower altitudes
Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon perfrom well
Lower part is for high volumes wines
Where are the highest vineyards of Mendoza ?
Uco Valley
Describe Uco Valley area
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
What is the southernmost wine region of Argentina?
Patagonia
What is the cooling influence in patagonia ?
The latitude, NOT the altitude
Describe the climate of Patagonia
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
In which province is located Patagonia?
Rio Negro province and Neuquén Province
What grape varieties have significant plantings in Argentina’s Patagonia wine region?
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Malbec
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Explain Argentina Wine laws
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
