Argentina Flashcards
What are the wine regions of Argentina? (North to South)
Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza, Patagonia,
What are the main grapes of Argentina?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Bonarda, Chardonnay, Torrontés
Which red wine grapes are grown in Argentina?
Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Tempranillo
Which white wine grapes are grown in Argentina?
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillón, Torrontés, Viognier
Name pink grapes grown in San Juan
Criolla, Cereza
What are Criolla and Cereza used for?
Grape concentrate and rock-bottom price, deep-coloured, slightly sweet white wine sold in box
What is Parral?
Argentinian version of Pergola
What big developments happened after 1980 in Argentina for improvement of wine production?
Planting in cooler area to prolong ripening process, vines trained on wires to enhance quality
What is the key geographical quality of Mendoza?
Altitude, because of being so close to the equator. Up to 1600m
What are notable Mendoza producers?
Catena (by Dr. Nicolas Catena), Terrazas de los Andes (Moët & Chandon), Salentein, Achaval-Ferrer, O Fournier, Viña Cobos (by Californian Paul Hobbs), Poesia, Mendel, Trapiche
Name a key development happening in San Juan
Producers are actively developing San Juan’s cooler sites for use of Syrah
Describe Patagonia and notable producers
Significantly cooler, for more elegant wines.
Humberto Canale, Noemia
What is the most important area within Salta?
Cafayate
Name the local vine specialty in Cafayate
A form of Torrontés: a flavourful, grapily aromatic dry white wine
Where are the world’s highest vineyards? Name an example
In Salta. Ie. Donald Huss’ Colomé estate has vines at over 3000m
What is the mountain range of Argentina called?
Andes Mountains
What do the Andes Mountains do for the vineyards & winemaking?
Special climate (stops rain from Chile side, hard wind, high altitude away from sea, creating high altitude desert)
High altitude gives freshness due to diurnal, while sunlight intensity gives concentration
Gives water from melted snow for irrigation
Special (alluvial) soils
Give a quick history of Argentina winemaking
Winemaking starts due to Spanish & missionairies arriving in 16th century
After Argentinian independence, lots of immigrants, taking grape varieties and techniques
70s: 3L per capita production
80s: improvement of winemaking starts to shift from quantity to quality
90s: “flying producers”: European consultants
What is the Argentinian equivalent of IGP?
IG = Indicación Geográfica
What is the heart of Argentinian wine production?
Cujo Valley
70% of production is in Mendoza
20% in San Juan
What areas encompass the Cujo Valley?
Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja
Name and describe the areas within Mendoza
Maipu: flatter & hotter, known for high yield production like Bonarda
Lujan de Cuyo: slightly lower altitude: 900m. Clay soils. Great textures. Land of Malbec.
Uco Valley: Great quality, high elevation, high tannin. In front of mountain (2 parts: frontal cordillera, principal cordillera) which takes away sun.
What areas encompass the Calchaqui Valley?
Salta (oldest vineyards in Argentina)
Tucumán
Catamarca
Worlds highest vineyards!
Describe Salta and its areas
Less than 2% of Argentinian production
Torrontés is significant
Cachi
Molinos
San Carlos
Cafayate
Describe Patagonia and its areas
The most south area, while its borders are continually pushed southward
Great Pinot Noir
La Pampa
Neuquén
Río Negro
Chubut
Describe Malbec in Argentina
French grape brought to Argentina by Michel Poujeaux
Pre-Phylloxera strain
21% of production
Describe Bonarda in Argentina
Aka Charbono
9% of production
Not Italian but French heritage
Light, fruit forward, acid. Reminds of Dolcetto and even Nebbiolo
Describe Criolla Chica
One of the earliest grapes grown in Argentina
Aka País in Chile, or Listán Prieto in Spain, Palomino Negro (Mission grape)
Describe international grape varieties in Argentina
Cabernet Franc & Sauvignon are having success in Mendoza
Pinot Noir is succesful in Patagonia
Chardonnay is best grown in the Uco Valley
Describe Torrontés
Biggest white grape in Argentina
Descended from Criolla Chica and Muscat of Alexandria
Mostly grown in Salta
3 strains:
Torrontés Riojano
Torrontés San Juanino
Torrontés Mendocina
Name food/wine pairings in Argentina
Patagonia lamb with Malbec
Open flame grill/BBQ beef with Malbec
