Argentina

Question 1

Account for the cooling influence on the climate of Argentina.

Answer 1

Cooling mainly altitude. Best vineyards 1,000m + above sea level.
Patagonia Region’s climate cool mainly due to latitude.

Question 2

What is the name for Argentina’s traditional vine training system.
How are vines trained now?

Answer 2

Parral, a pergola system to keep the grapes away from the hot ground with eaves arranged to provide shade.
Torrontes is still grown this way but, increasingly, black grapes are trained on vertical trellises with canopies arranged to give shade.

Question 3

What are the flagship black and white grapes of Argentina?
What is the 2nd most planted black grape?

Answer 3

Black = Malbec
White = Torrontes
Bonarda 2nd most planted

Question 4

What is a regular weather risk in Argentina and how is it managed?

Answer 4

Summer hail is a regular occurrence
- Netting covers the vines
- As much vineyard location diversity as possible

Question 5

From north to south list the 6 syllabus Provinces of Argentina?

Answer 5

Salta Province
La Rioja Province
San Juan Province
Mendoza Province
Rio Negro Province (Patagonia Region)
Neuquen Province (Patagonia Region)

Question 6

What is the most famous department of Salta Province?
How high are some vineyards planted here?
What is the main grape grown?
What are the main 2 black grapes grown?

Answer 6

Cafayette region.
Some vineyards over 3,000 metres.
Torrontes is dominant.
Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon also grown.

Question 7

Where are most grapes grown in La Rioja Province?
What grape is grown there as a speciality?
What other 3 black grapes are grown?

Answer 7

On the irrigated valley floors of Famatina Valley.
Torrontes is a speciality
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Bonarda.

Question 8

San Juan Province is known for high quality red wine from what grape?
What are the main white grapes?
What are the main red grapes?

Answer 8

Very good Syrah.
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bonarda.
Chardonnay and Torrontes.

Question 9

What are the 5 regions of Mendoza?

Answer 9

Northern,
Eastern
Central
Uco Valley
Southern

Question 10

What level of quality are associated with the wines of Northern and Eastern Mendoza?

Answer 10

Bulk wines, simple wines

Question 11

What parts of Mondoza are most associated with high quality wine?

Answer 11

Central Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo specifically
Uco Valley - in foothills of Andes at between 900~1,100 metres
Renowned for producing very fine Malbec

Question 12

Where are the highest vineyards in Mendoza.
What grapes flourish here?
3 whites
4 reds

Answer 12

Uco Valley with vineyards between 900~1,500 metres
Cool nights retain acidity and fresh fruit flavours.

Chardonnay, Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Tempranillo,

Question 13

What is one the biggest natural hazards of growing grapes in the Patagonia Region?

Answer 13

Strong desert winds

Question 14

Patagonia is only 200~250 metres altitude so what provides cooling?

Answer 14

It’s southerly latitude

Question 15

What are the two provinces of Patagonia?

What grapes are grown here in significant quantities?
2 whites
4 reds

Answer 15

Rio Negro Province
Neuquen Province

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc.

Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir.

Question 16

Within the Argentinian regions, which GI (Geographical Indication) is the largest?
Province, or Department.

What percentage of grapes must come from a stated GI?

Answer 16

Province is largest.
Within which are Departments.

For a wine labelled with a GI, 100% of the grapes must have come from within the geographical limits of the GI.