Argentina

Question 1

What natural factors make Argentina suitable for grape growing?

Answer 1

Combination of high altitude and low latitude with good supply of irrigation water

Question 2

Why was Argentina focused on large volumes of inexpensive wines for much of the 20th century?

Answer 2

Isolation from political and economic crisis coupled with high domestic wine consumption

Question 3

Argentine historical high yielders

Answer 3

Cereza, Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica
Pedro Gimenez

Question 4

What helped Argentina break into wine exports

Answer 4

Weak peso vs dollar made goods relatively cheap

Question 5

Latitude for Argentinas vineyards

Answer 5

24-38* S

Question 6

Altitude for northerly vineyards in Argentina?

Answer 6

500-3300m

Question 7

Key effects of altitude on viticulture

Answer 7

Cooling effects 1*F lost per 100m gained
Diurnal range extends growing season and retains acid
High proportion of UV light means more tannin and anthocyanins

Question 8

Argentina climate

Answer 8

Continental w/low rainfall from rain shadow of Andes

Question 9

What is zonda and what is its influence and how is it mitigated

Answer 9

Hot, dry, powerful wind in late spring/early summer
Lowers humidity-reducing disease pressure
Can induce water stress
Can affect flowering/fruit set depending on timing
Can damage grapes reducing yields
Poplar trees planted as wind breaks

Question 10

When does rain fall in Argentina

Answer 10

Summer w/constant threat of hail

Question 11

Why was a vine pull scheme introduced in Argentina in the ‘70s and ‘80s?

Answer 11

Falling domestic demand

Question 12

What is the irrigation system used in 70% if Argentine vineyards and why?

Answer 12

Flood
Free draining soils flood irrigated allow water to penetrate deep into soil
And bc it’s relatively cheap to operate

Question 13

Why is drip irrigation better for sloped land than flat?

Answer 13

It costs more to flatten and grade land for flood than to install drip

Question 14

Traditional timing of irrigation in Argentina?

Answer 14

Heavy in winter to replicate winter rains
As needed in low amounts during growing season to encourage root growth and fruit vs shoot/leaf production

Question 15

Traditional training system in Argentina and why

Answer 15

Pergola to raise fruit from ground heat and shade from sun
Still common to offer shade to Tortontes and for high vigor/yield varieties like Criolla Chica/Grande, Cereza, and Pedro Gimenez

Question 16

Why can vines in Argentina go ungrafted and why are vines becoming more commonly grafted?

Answer 16

Sandy soil/dry climate limit phylloxeras life cycle
Nematodes and drought tolerance

Question 17

Key grape varieties in Argentina

Answer 17

Malbec
Pink Criolla - Chica/Grande
Bonarda
Cab
Syrah
Pedro Gimenez
Tortontes
Chardonnay

Question 18

Malbec characteristics

Answer 18

Vigorous
Mid ripening
Cooler sites show lower alc, med+ acid, med + firm tannin, fresh red and black fruit
Warmer sites are fuller bodied lower acid softer tannin

Question 19

Bonarda Argentina is planted where and produces what style?

Answer 19

Late ripening so San Juan and warmer areas in Mendoza
High yielding so inexpensive for domestic consumption

Question 20

Why is site selection more important for Cab than Malbec in Argentina

Answer 20

It is more susceptible to extremes of temperature and fungal disease

Question 21

Pedro Gimenez is

Answer 21

A relatively neutral white grape that is used to produce simple, inexpensive wines for domestic consumption

Question 22

Tortontes is a natural cross of

Answer 22

Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica

Question 23

Tortontes characteristics

Answer 23

Vigorous
High yielding
Early ripening
Strong floral aromas

Question 24

Torrontes is successful in what areas

Answer 24

Cafayate in Salta and high elevation cool vineyards in Uco

Question 25

Argentina geographical indicators tiers:

Answer 25

IP- large geographical areas but not entire country IG- certain quality wines from specific, quality wine producing area DOC- legislated winemaking criteria for specific area - Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael

Question 26

GIs are created by what?

Answer 26

Political divisions Specific characteristics- climate/soil

Question 27

What % if GI or DOC mentioned on label

Answer 27

100%

Question 28

What % if vintage on label

Answer 28

85%

Question 29

What % if varietal named?

Answer 29

85%

Question 30

Argentina Reserva aging requirements

Answer 30

12 mos in oak for red 6 mos in oak for white/rose

Question 31

Argentina gran Reserva aging requirements

Answer 31

24 mos in oak for red 12 mos in oak for white and rose

Question 32

Cuyo is comprised of what GIs?

Answer 32

Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja

Question 33

70% of vineyards and 2/3 production come from what Province?

Answer 33

Mendoza

Question 34

Northern and Eastern Mendoza make what style of wine and why?

Answer 34

Large volumes of inexpensive wine Relatively low altitudes = warm sites with irrigation water coming from Mendoza and Tunuyan rivers

Question 35

Central Mendoza is home to the most prestigious wine producing departments of

Answer 35

Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu

Question 36

Lujan de Cuyo aging requirements

Answer 36

24 mos with 12 in oak

Question 37

Las Compuertas and Agrelo are

Answer 37

District level GIs in Lujan de Cuyo that produce fruity, full bodied reds with high acid and tannins

Question 38

Maipu has warmer vineyards than Lujan de Cuyo due to

Answer 38

Lower altitude

Question 39

Which region in Argentina is home to the highest vineyards in Mendoza?

Answer 39

Uco Valley

Question 40

Departments in Uco Valley GI

Answer 40

Tupungato, Tunuyan, San Carlos

Question 41

Tupungato’s most recognized district with distinctive limestone soils that offer high acid wines from high altitudes.

Answer 41

Gualtallary

Question 42

How is Tunuyan able to produce full bodied, structured yet fruity red wines and premium white wines and Pinot Noir?

Answer 42

The GI covers a wide range of altitudes- lower and warmer sites for full bodied reds, higher and cooler fur white and PN

Question 43

Which of the three departments of Uco Valley is most recognized for its old vine plantings?

Answer 43

San Carlos

Question 44

GI Paraje Altamira is in what department and known for what soil?

Answer 44

San Carlos, Uco Valley An alluvial fan with a high presence of calcium carbonate and stony topsoil

Question 45

Affect of latitude on Southern Mendoza

Answer 45

Vineyards are lower 450-800m because climate is cooler due to southerly locations allowing for slower sugar accumulation and good acid retention

Question 46

Major water hazard of southern Mendoza

Answer 46

Hail in summer

Question 47

Grapes from southern Mendoza are used for

Answer 47

Lesser quality sent for use in blends Higher quality vinified there - med body, red fruit

Question 48

San Rafael is in what region in Argentina

Answer 48

Southern Mendoza but is not used on labels as often as Southern Mendoza

Question 49

San Juan’s lower sites produce what style of wine and why?

Answer 49

High yielding pink varieties due to lower altitude = less cooling influence and lower diurnal swing

Question 50

GI Pedernal Valley is in what Province and known for what?

Answer 50

San Juan High altitude, higher acid

Question 51

La Rioja province focuses on what style of wine

Answer 51

High volume, inexpensive La Riojana co-op

Question 52

Which province in Argentina has the closest vineyards to the equator?

Answer 52

Salta 24-26* S

Question 53

How is viticulture possible in the low southerly latitudes of Salta

Answer 53

High altitude vineyards offer cooling influence 1500-3000

Question 54

High sun exposure from low latitude and high altitude coupled with strong zonda winds have what affect on grapes in Salta?

Answer 54

High levels of anthocyanins and tannins and thick skins and lower yields - concentrated wines

Question 55

Cafayate is in what province and known for what grape?

Answer 55

Salta Torrontes

Question 56

Latitude of Patagonia

Answer 56

38-39*S

Question 57

Higher southerly latitude in Patagonia means…

Answer 57

Lower temperatures Less intense sunlight Longer growing season

Question 58

Wind in Patagonia advantages/disadvantages and mitigation

Answer 58

Reduces disease pressure by dehumidifying, thickens skins for concentration in wine Can disrupt flowering or damage vines Wind breaks, poplar trees

Question 59

Main growing areas of Patagonia

Answer 59

Neuquen and Rio Negro

Question 60

Rio Negro varietals

Answer 60

Pinot noir, Malbec, Merlot, SB, Riesling

Question 61

Limiting factor of Neuquen viticulture

Answer 61

Available water for irrigation

Question 62

El Niño in Argentina limits production volume in what way?

Answer 62

More rain = more hail in Argentina, more damage to vines/grapes

Question 63

Main export market of Argentina

Answer 63

US - 21% vol UK, Canada, Brazil

Question 64

MERCOSUR allows for what?

Answer 64

Free trade in South American countries

Question 65

Argentinas export boom of the early 2000s was due to

Answer 65

Weak peso vs dollar

Question 66

Malbec accounts for what % of exports

Answer 66

60%

Question 67

What % of production are exports in Argentina?

Answer 67

20%

Question 68

Fecovita and grupo penaflor are

Answer 68

Among the worlds highest volume producers and account for a significant proportion of Argentine wine