Argentina Flashcards
What are the major white grapes of Argentina?
Torrontés, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
What are the major red grapes of Argentina?
Malbec, Bonarda, Cab, Syrah, Tempranillo
Where are Argentina’s vineyards located?
On the western half of the country, on the foothills of the Andes
From The Bolivian border south to Patagonia
Are there any large cities in Argentina’s wine country?
No, but lots of farming & ranching
What are Argentina’s major geographical features affecting viticulture?
Andes Mountains
Salado river in Salta
Tunuyán & Mendoza rivers in Mendoza
Colorado river in Rio Negro
What is Argentina’s climate?
True continental cool desert with increasing maritime influence as you move south toward the atlantic, with strong zonda wind throughout.
Describe Argentina’s vineyard conditions
High altitutde plantings lead to thick skins from UV exposure
Dry, sunny climate experiences extended growing season
Irrigation is essential, either furrow from andes snowmelt or drip
What are soils like in Argentina?
Limestone over topsoil closer to mountains
Fertile alluvial sand & clay in the river basins
When and where were the first european vines planted in Argentina?
1556 by Father Cedrón at the Santiago del Estero Ministry in Tucumán
Broadly describe Argentina’s wine history
Mid-1800s wine industry hindered by civil wars
1885 transandean railway allows export of wine to Buenos Aires
1960s & 70s military dictatorship leads to bulk-wine production to feed the country
1980s & 90s saw foreign investors & consulting vintners help rebrand Argentinian wine industry
1999 INV creates the GI & IPO system
What are Argentina’s Reserva & Gran Reserva requirements?
Reserva: at least 6mo for whites, 1yr for reds
Gran Reserva: at least 1yr for whites, 2 yrs for reds
Describe Argentina’s AOP System
IPOs are Indications of Provenance: large regions for table wine
IGs are Indications Geographicas: smaller, higher quality regions focused on terroir
2 DOCs are location & production specific: San Rafael & Lujan de Cuyo
What are Argentina’s 2 DOCs? Where are they? What rules govern them?
San Rafael (southern mendoza) & Lujan de Cuyo (central mendoza) are both DOCs for Malbec
What are the 5 major villages of Argentina?
Salta, San Juan, La Rioja, Mendoza, Neuquén
What are the 4 major wine Regions of Argentina?
Northern, Cujo, Central, Patagonia
