Argentina

Question 1

When did Argentina join the export game?

Answer 1

In the 1990s when their cheap, fruity malbec was discovered

Question 2

Name to regions who are irrigated by local rivers

Answer 2

Rio Negro & Jujuy

Question 3

Name the recently planted sites of the Uco Valley that can be successfully dry-farmed

Answer 3

Los Arboles, San Pablo, and La Carrera

Question 4

Describe Argentina’s precipitation

Answer 4

Very low even in El Nino years, but completely concentrated during the growing season. Localized hail storms are a massive issue, especially in Mendoza.

Question 5

The Zonda

Answer 5

a fearsome hot, dry wind storm from the west

Question 6

When was Malbec brought to Argentina

Answer 6

1853

Question 7

Another name for Bonarda

Answer 7

Charbono (unrelated to Italian Bonarda)

Question 8

What movement did Alta Vista and Achaval Ferrer pioneer?

Answer 8

Creating fresh, lively Malbec from high altitude sites. Zapata, Trapiche, and Zuccardi are following suite

Question 9

Traditional white grapes

Answer 9

Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica (Pias), Cereza, and Pedro Gimenez

Question 10

What is Torrontes

Answer 10

(aka Torrontes Riojano) a cross of Criolla Chica and Muscat of Alexandria that originated in the La Rioja Provence

Question 11

Claudio Zucchino

Answer 11

grows the most Northern vines in Argentina at the highest altitudes in the world close to the Bolivian border in the Jujuy province at Chucalezna in the narrow Quebrada de Humahuaca Valley at 10,922 ft / 3,329 m

Question 12

Cafayete, Salta altitude & producers

Answer 12

5,250 - 6,890 ft / 1,600 - 1,200 m
San Pedro de Yacochuya and El Esteco

Question 13

Tucuman

Answer 13

a region bordering Salta that is producing fine wine

Question 14

Catamarca

Answer 14

just south of Salta
producer Chanar Punco in Santa Maria produces very “respectable wines” somewhat misleadingly labelled “Valles Calchaquies”

Question 15

What is the La Rioja Provence known for?

Answer 15

pergola trained Torrontes Riojano produced by La Riojana, the local co-op in Chilecito

Question 16

What is Famatina known for?

Answer 16

dry, windy,and higher than the rest of La Rioja, known for Malbec, Syrah, and Bonarda

Question 17

What other provice rivals Mendoza?

Answer 17

San Juan
north of Mendoza, hotter, and drier
4 inches of rain annually
produces a quarter of Argentinas wine

Question 18

San Juan production

Answer 18

primarily Moscatel de Alejandria, Syrah, Viognier, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, and Tannat
aspiring producers are planting at higher elevations into the Zonda, Calingasta, and Pedernal Valleys

Question 18

What area has the longest tradition of fine wine? What is the terrior?

Answer 18

Central Mendoza
temperate climate with lots of gravel

Question 19

What districts within Central Mendoza are known for high quality Malbec?

Answer 19

Lujan de Cuyo, Vistalba, Perdiel, Agrelo, and Las Compuertas

Maipu is hotter with more gravel and better for Syrah and cab sauv

Question 20

Mendoza soils

Answer 20

largely alluvial, stony, and sandy
Central Mendoza largely gravel
Uco Valley poor, stony, limestone soils

Question 21

San Rafael

Answer 21

130 miles south east of Mendoza cities between the Diamante and Atuel rivers (1,475 - 2,625 ft) is the countries most extensive plantings of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignonesse (aka Tocai Fruliano) and also produces malbec, cab sauv, bonarda, sauv blanc, and chard
very prone to hail

Question 22

What is the Uco Valley named after?

Answer 22

a pre-Columbian Indian Cheif reputed to have introduced irrigation to the region

Question 23

Uco Valleys acreage

Answer 23

68,570 acres / 27,750 ha at elevations of 2,950-6,560 ft / 900-2,000 m (doubled since 2000)

Question 24

Uco Valley departments

Answer 24

(N to S)
Tupungato
Tunuyan
San Carlos

Question 25

Tupungato

Answer 25

produces the finest Chardonnay due to the excellent diural cycle and the calcerous soil

Question 26

Tupungatos most important districts

Answer 26

Gualtallary and La Carrera
both at 6,560 ft / 2,000m

Question 27

Tunuyan terrior and most important districts

Answer 27

Very dramatic landscape with the Andes rising directly out of the vineyards
Los Arboles and San Pablo are both wet enough to dry farm

Question 28

Producers investing in Tunuyan

Answer 28

Largely Bordeaux producers: Michel Rolland, Francios Lurton, the Bonnie family of Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere, the Cuvelier family of Leoville Poyferre, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild of Chateau Clarke, Laurant Dussault, and Henri Parent of Chateau La Violette. Also Los Chacayes, Campo de los Andes, Vista Flores, and Villa Seca.

Question 29

San Carlos

Answer 29

home to Uco Valley’s oldest vineyards
more prone to frost
making stunningly refreshing wines out of La Consulta (& sub-appellation Parajae Altamira), El Cepillo, Los Indios, and Eugenio Bustos

Question 30

Chapadmalal

Answer 30

A province in eastern Buenos Aries testing higher altitudes in Mendoza. Cool, wet, windy.

Question 31

What did Rio Negro and Neuquen cultivate before grapes?

Answer 31

Vast irrigated orchards of apples and pears

Question 32

How does Patagonia compare to the rest of Argentina?

Answer 32

More plentiful water but still low rainfall
antarctic influences keep temperatures down
persistent winds
Wines tend to be drier and chewier

Question 33

What is Patagonia known for?

Answer 33

Bright, sculpted wines
white wines, merlot, and old vine pinot noir

Question 34

Incisa della Rocchetta family

Answer 34

known for Sassicaia
has invested in Patagonia as well as other Italian producers

Question 35

Southernmost province of Patagonia

Answer 35

Chubut
produces wines with razor sharp acidity
frost can threaten 20 to 30 times a season