Argentina Flashcards
What is the Zonda
A Strong dry wind that blows down from the Andes
What impact does the Zonda have on grape growing
Keeps vineyards dry and reduces the risk of Phylloxera
What are the main white varieties of Argentina
Torrontes, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
What are the main red varieties of Argentina
Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo
Where is most of the wine production in Argentina focused
Inland on the foothills of the Andes. North from the border with Bolivia, south to Patagonia
What are some landmarks of Argentina
This is ranch land, there are some sprawling farmsteads, but no major cities near the winegrowing regions
What is the main river in the Salta region
Salado
What are the main rivers in Mendoza
the Tunuyan and Mendoza rivers
What is the main river in Rio Negro
the Colorado
What is the Climate of Argentina
True Continental, cool desert to the north and maritime influences in Patagonia
What impact on grape growing do high altitude vineyards have
Thicker skins
Are vineyards typically irrigated in Argentina?
Yes
What allows Argentina to grown phenolically ripe berries consistently
Long growing seasons
What are the main soils of Argentina
Limestone, to sand and clay based alluvial near river basins
Who planted the first grape cuttings in Argentina, when and where
Father Cedron in 1558 in Mendoza at the Santiago del Estro Missionary
Why was winemaking halted from 1814 to 1880 in Argentina
Due to civil wars
What opened up wine trade to other parts of the country in 1885
The opening of the Transandine Railway
What happened to Argentine wine production in the 1980s-1990s and why
Production was turned to mass cheap wine for national consumption due to a military Dictatorship
Who began the IG and IPO systems in Argentina and when
The National Viticultural Institute in 1999
What are the Aging requirements for Reserva wine
min. 6 months for whites, min. 1 year for reds
What are the aging requirements for Gran Reserva wine
min. 1 year for whites, min. 2 years for red
What does IPO mean
Indication of Provenance - larger regions for table wine production. 80% of fruit must come from the stated region
What does IG mean
Indicacion Geografica- Smaller wine regions focused on higher quality terroir driven production
What does DOC mean
Denomination of Controlled Origin. Similar to French AOCs this regulates geography and production limits
How many DOCs does Argentina have
2
What are the 4 broad Argentinian growing regions
North Region, Cuyo IG, Central Region, Patagonia IG
What are the 4 IGs of the North Region
Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, Tucuman
What is Salta known for
high quality Torrontes and Malbec production
What are the 3 sub IGs of Cuyo IG
La Rioja, Mendoza, San Juan
What grapes are grown in Mendoza
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
What are the 2 subzones of Mendoza
Primera Zona, South region
What are the appellations within Primera Zona, and how are the classified
Lujan de Cuyo, DOC
Maipu, IG
What grape is grown in Lujan de Cuyo DOC
Malbec
What are the sub appellations of the the South region of Mendoza, and how are they classified
San Rafael, DOC
Uco Valley, IG
What grape is grown in San Rafael DOC
Malbec
What are the 3 sub IGs of Uco Valley IG
Tupungato IG, Tunuyan IG, San Carlos IG
What is the only IG of the Center Region
Cordoba Argentina IG
What are the 3 sub appellations of Patagonia IG
La Pampa, Neuquen IG, Rio Negro IG
