Argentina Flashcards
When was the first recorded vineyard in Argentina?
The first recorded vineyard in Argentina was planted in the 1550s by Spanish settlers
Name the traditional and the first varieties planted in Argentina.
criolla pink varieties such as Cereza, Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica, and the white Pedro
Giménez occupy nearly 30% of the nation’s vineyard acreage
Name the wind of Argentina and how it affects vines
Zonda, a fierce, dusty, hot afternoon wind that blows down from the mountains in the late spring and early summer, sometimes adversely affecting flowering
Name the main red grapes of Argentina
Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Tempranillo, Tannat, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
Synonim of Bonarda
Savoie’s Corbeau—a variety known as Charbono in the United States
Name the main white grapes of Argentina
Torrontés is second among white grapes, followed by Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, Semillon
State the ageing requirements of Argentina
both red and white wines as Reserva or Gran Reserva. Reserva implies a minimum 6 months of aging for white wines and one year for reds; Gran Reserva indicates at least one year for whites and two for reds. These two new designations, introduced in 2008, also limit maximum yields
Argentina sits between?
approximately 24 and 38°S
Soils of Argentina?
Most of Argentina’s vineyards are planted on alluvial soils deposited by the rivers flowing
down from the Andes. The texture of these soils varies. Because of the alluvial origin, larger
stones with calcareous deposits tend to dominate the higher altitudes closer to the Andes.
The middle areas are dominated by gravel, sands and silts. Deeper loamy-clay soils, which
are richer in nutrients can be found in the lower areas. Because of the dry, continental climate,
there is little organic matter from decomposed flora and fauna. This results in particularly poor
soils in the higher altitude areas. Poor soils are optimal for naturally low yielding vines and
high-quality viticulture.
Who are responsible for the clonal selection program mainly in Malbec but also Torrontes and Tempranillo?
led by the work of Dr Nicolás Catena and Aldo Biondolillo
Which are the three-tier system of geographical indicators of Argentina?
IP, IG and DOC
Which are the 2 DOC’s?
Luján de Cuyo and San Rafael, both in Mendoza
Name the divisions of Argentina
Region
Province
Sub-region
Department
District
GI inside district
If a vintage and varietal is mentioned on the label?
at least 85 per cent of
the wine must come from that vintage. Similarly, if a single varietal is named, the wine must
contain at least 85 per cent of that variety. Where two or three varieties are mentioned on the
label, they must together make up at least 85 per cent of the blend
Argentinta is in which place in terms of production worldwide?
5th place
Name the 4 regions of Argentina
North Region, Cuyo, Patagonia and Atlantic Region
North region includes which provinces?
Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca and Tucuman
Cuyo regions includes which provinces?
La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza and San Luis
Patagonia region includes which provinces?
Nequen, Rio Negro and La Pampa
Atlantic region includes which province?
Buenos Aires
Where is Calchaquí Valleys and its altitudes?
spanning over 270 km and three of Argentina’s provinces: Salta, Tucumán and Catamarca with altitudes from 1530 to 3111m
Which are the sub-regions of the Calchaquí Valleys?
Cafayate, Molinos, Cachi, San Carlos
Which are the sub-regions of Salta?
Cafayate
Which are the sub-regions of Tucuman?
Amaicha del Valle, Colalao del Valle
Name the sub-region of Catamarca
Santa María
Name some of the top producers in North Region
Amalaya (owned by Hess), Agustin Lanus, El Esteco, El Porvenir de Cafayate, San Pedro de Yocochuya (One of the first premium wineries in Cafayate, this is a joint venture between the Etchart family and Bordeaux winemaker Michel Rolland), Colome (owned by Hess Its most sky-scraping vineyard is at 3,111 in Molinos)
Which is Argentina’s highest and most northerly wine region and its main grape variety?
Jujuy and Torrontes main grape
Which is the second highest vineyard in the world?
Colome’s Altura Maxima vineyard at 3300m in Salta
La Rioja takes its name from who and how it was called initially?
Juan Ramírez de Velasco and was called Todos los Santos de la Nueva Rioja
Which is Argentina’a largest wine co-op?
La Riojana
Name the sub-regions of La Rioja
Chilecito, Coronel Felipe Varela, Famatina, Castro Barros, San Blas de los Sauces, General Lamadrid, Vinchina, Sanagasta, Capital La Rioja
Name the most planted grape varieties of La Rioja
Torrontes Riojano followed by Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Syrah and Cereza
Which are the most important sub-regions of La Rioja?
Chilecito and Famatina
Name a top winery from La Rioja
Chanarmuyo one of La Rioja’s highest vineyards at 1720m famous for full bodied reds
Name the sub-regions of San Juan
Tulum, Ullum, Zonda, Pedernal and Calingasta
Which is the third largest wine region in Argentina?
La Rioja
Which is the second largest wine region in Argentina?
San Juan
Which is the fourth largest wine region in Argentina?
Salta
Which are the most planted grapes in San Juan?
Malbec, Syrah, Torrontes, Bonarda, PX and Cabernet Sauvignon
Which are the biggest hazards in San Juan?
Zonda, hail and high soil PH which means that acidification is often practised
San Juan produces mainly?
reds (Malbec and Syrah mostly)
La Rioja produces mainly?
whites (Torrontes, Viognier, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc)
Pedernal valley’s soils, altitudes and grape varieties?
complex limestone-rich soils with pockets of slate, gravel and sand with cooler temperatures due to altitude of 1,250 to 1,500 m is often referred as the San Juan equivalent of Gualtallary. Top territory for bold and vibrant reds mainly from Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Syrah and textural whites mainly from Sauvignon Blanc
Calingasta GI is famous for?
century old Criolla and Bonarda vines from high altitudes over 1,700m
Name some top producers of San Juan
Cara Sur
Finca Las Moras
Fuego Blanco
Xumek
Mendoza is divided into?
North, Central (Primera Zona), South, and East sectors, and the Uco Valley
Which are the 3 major regions of Mendoza?
Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley
Which is Mendoza’s highest vineyard?
Estancia Uspullata in Las Heras