Argentina

Question 1

What are some factors influencing the climate in Argentina?

Answer 1

• Argentinian wine regions are located in a rain shadow of the Andes, so it is very dry
• The Zonda is a fierce, dusty, hot afternoon wind that blows down from the mountains in the late spring and early summer

Question 2

Viticultural affects of the Zonda in Argentina

Answer 2

1. The Zonda blows down from the mountains in the late spring and early summer, sometimes adversely affecting flowering
   - The lack of humidity and the wind keep the vineyards free of fungal diseases

Question 3

Viticultural dangers in Argentina?

Answer 3

• Spring and summer hail
• Very hot summers in the continental climate (100° F +)

Question 4

How does elevation affect viticulture in Argentina?

Answer 4

Elevation serves to mitigate the extremely high temperatures of summer and prolong the growing season

Question 5

What is this a picture of?

Answer 5

Donald Hess’ Colomé estate in Salta, where some of the world’s highest vines are grown (nearly 10,000 ft.)

Question 6

In order of importance, what are the main red grapes of Argentina?

Answer 6

1. Malbec
2. Bonarda
3. Cabernet Sauvignon
4. Syrah
5. Merlot
6. Tempranillo

Question 7

Give the synonyms for Bonarda in the US and in France.

Answer 7

1. Charbono (US)
2. Corbeau (Savoie)

Question 8

What is Argentina’s most planted white grape?

Answer 8

Pedro Giménez (unrelated to Spain’s Pedro Ximénez), a blending grape often mainly suitable for bulk wines or grape concentrate

Question 9

Other important white grapes in Argentina?

Answer 9

1. Torrontés (Second most planted)
2. Chardonnay
3. Chenin Blanc

Question 10

Pink-skinned grape varieties grown in Argentina?

Answer 10

1. Cereza
2. Criolla Chica
3. Criolla Grande

Question 11

What does Reserva mean on a bottle of Argentinian wine?

Answer 11

Minimum 6 months aging for whites and 1 year for reds

Question 12

What does Gran Reserva mean on a bottle of Argentinian wine?

Answer 12

Minimum 1 year aging for whites and 2 years for reds

Question 13

Salta IG is best known for which grape?

Answer 13

Torrontés

Question 14

Red grapes grown in Salta IG?

Answer 14

Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 15

Cafayate is a department within what IG?

Answer 15

Salta

Question 16

Which Argentinian producer is well known for their Torrontés from Cafayate in Salta?

Answer 16

Susana Balbo, “Crios”

Question 17

Name two other prominent producers in Cafayate

Answer 17

1. Susana Balbo
2. Etchart (the winery that brought Michel Rolland to Argentina)
3. Yacochuya (Arnaldo Etchart’s new project)

Question 18

Name the winegrowing regions of Argentina (4)

Answer 18

1. Center Region
2. Cuyo IG
3. North Region
4. Patagonia IG

Question 19

What is the only IG in the Center Region?

Answer 19

Córdoba Argentina IG

Question 20

What are the 3 IG’s within Cuyo IG?

Answer 20

1. La Rioja Argentina IG
2. Mendoza IG
3. San Juan IG

Question 21

In which Argentinian wine region is Mendoza located?

Answer 21

Cuyo

Question 22

Name the 5 IG’s of the North Region.

Answer 22

1. Catamarca IG
2. Jujuy IG
3. Salta IG
4. Tucumán IG
5. Valles Calchaqués IG

Question 23

Catamarca and Salta are both located in which Argentinian winegrowing region?

Answer 23

North Region

Question 24

Name the 3 subregions of Patagonia IG.

Answer 24

1. La Pampa
2. Neuquén IG
3. Río Negro IG

Question 25

Where is the Famatina Valley? What are its most cultivated white and red grapes?

Answer 25

Subregion of La Rioja in Cuyo Torrontés, Malbec

Question 26

Name the 5 valleys of San Juan IG

Answer 26

1. Tulum Valley 2. Zonda Valley 3. Ullum Valley 4. Jáchal Valley 5. Fertil Valley

Question 27

Styles of wine produced in San Juan IG?

Answer 27

Pink-skinned varieties, grapes destined for brandy and vermouth

Question 28

Mendoza is divided into which regions?

Answer 28

Northern, Central (Upper), Southern, Eastern, Uco Valley (western subregion)

Question 29

Uco Valley is a subregion of which Argentinian wine region?

Answer 29

Mendoza

Question 30

Where are the highest elevation vineyards in Mendoza located?

Answer 30

Uco Valley

Question 31

Soils of Mendoza?

Answer 31

Loose, alluvial sand over clay

Question 32

Climate of Mendoza?

Answer 32

Dry and desert-like with irrigation absolutely necessary

Question 33

What is furrow irrigation?

Answer 33

A technique developed by the Incas, in which the rivers' water, swelled by snowmelt, is directed through the vineyard in channels

Question 34

What is the most-planted grape in Mendoza?

Answer 34

Malbec

Question 35

What makes Achával Ferrer Malbecs unique?

Answer 35

100% new oak

Question 36

Where is Achával Ferrer located? What grape do they produce?

Answer 36

Mendoza in Malbec

Question 37

Name some key producers in Mendoza

Answer 37

1. Achaval Ferrer 2. Catena Zapata 3. Cheval des Andes 4. Dominio del Plata (Susana Balbo) 5. Bressia

Question 38

What grapes are in a bottle of Cheval des Andes?

Answer 38

Malbec-dominant Bordeaux blend

Question 39

Where are Luján de Cuyo and Maipú located?

Answer 39

In Mendoza

Question 40

Grape of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipú

Answer 40

Malbec

Question 41

Other important grapes in Mendoza?

Answer 41

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sémillon

Question 42

What is the principal grape of San Rafael (Mendoza)?

Answer 42

Chenin Blanc

Question 43

Name Argentina's 2 DOC's

Answer 43

1. Luján de Cuyo 2. San Rafael

Question 44

Name the IG's in Patagonia.

Answer 44

1. Río Negro IG 2. Neuquén IG

Question 45

Most important grapes in Patagonia?

Answer 45

Torrontés and Sémillon

Question 46

Which winemaking family spearheaded Bodegas Chacra? Which wine did they become famous for?

Answer 46

The family behind Tuscany's Sassicaia; super premium Río Negro Pinot Noir

Question 47

Where is La Pampa?

Answer 47

Patagonia

Question 48

Where is Bodega Noemía de Patagonia? What grape are they most well known for?

Answer 48

Patagonia; Malbec

Question 49

What are the major geographical features of Mendoza?

Answer 49

Andes Mountains Mendoza River Diamante River Tunuyán River Atuel River