Argentina

Question 1

Argentina

Answer 1

Although Argentina is best known for producing full- bodied red wines from the Malbec grape, at high altitude and Southerly latitudes the climate is cool enough to grow delicate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, perfect for sparkling wine production. Moet and Chandon realised Argentina’s potential for high quality sparkling wine production over 50 years ago with Mendoza becoming the location of their first winery outside France.

Question 2

Location- Argentina

Answer 2

Sparkling wine production is centered in the coolest areas of Mendoza (Uco Valley and San Rafael) and also in Patagonia (Rio Negro and Neuquen).

Question 3

Climate- Argentina

Answer 3

Mendoza is warm continental, moderated by high altitude.

Patagonia’s southerly latitude means that it is cool enough to produce sparkling wine grapes.

Both regions are dry, but there is plenty of irrigation water from the Andes.

Question 4

Grape Varieties- Argentina

Answer 4

Mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, some Semillon

Question 5

Viticulture- Argentina

Answer 5

Grapes for sparkling wines tend to be picked earlier than those for still wines to retain acidity and dedicate fruit flavours.

Question 6

Winery- Argentina

Answer 6

Most wines are made by tank method, especially those for the domestic market.
Carbonation may also be used.
Traditional method is used for premium sparkling wines.

Question 7

Style- Argentina

Answer 7

Extra Brut is popular.

Most sparkling wines are white. Relatively little rose is made.

Question 8

Important Trade Structures- Argentina

Answer 8

Chandon is the market leader.

Question 9

Chandon Argentina

Answer 9

• Jean de Vogué, the Chairman of the House in the 1950s (1959)- realised it was an emerging market
• He asked winemaker Renaud Poirier to travel the world in search of terroirs with the best potential.
• Mendoza, a renowned wine-growing region in western Argentina.
• chalky soils, large day-to-night temperature variations and semi-desert climate provided optimum conditions to make wines with remarkable concentration, structure and balance.
• Benefiting from 270 years of Moët & Chandon experience, the estate combines traditional French savoir-faire with the excellence and diversity of Argentine soil: by blending a wide variety of grapes from terroirs in the region, Chandon Argentina produces wines that are internationally-renowned for their harmony.

Question 10

Chandon Delice- Argentina

Answer 10

Chandon Délice is a sweet and refreshing sparkling wine, revealing pronounced aromas of tropical and citrus fruit. It is a symbol of the unique Chandon style, it is combining pinot noir and chardonnay, two grape varieties characteristic of the champenoise method. Late-harvested semillon is added, as well as petit manseng.