Argentina Flashcards
When does Malbec arrive
1852
Who else brought vines
European settlers in 19th c
1943-1955
General Perón, general prosperity
1950-80s
Political unrest, economic instability, high consumption of low quality table wines 90 L/pp annually
5 region N to S
Salta Province, La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza, Neuquen and Río Negro
Salta climate
Continental, high altitude
Salta soils
alluvial with clay substructure
Salta grapes
Torrontes, Tannat, CS
La Rioja
Oldest wine region. Dominated by 1 co-op
La Rioja grapes
Torrontes, Moscatel de Alexandria
San Juan climate
Continental, hotter. 2nd Largest region
San Juan grapes
Traditional home of Cereza. Bonarda, Syrah. Also cheap wines from undefined red grapes
San Juan notable producers
Penaflor, Santiago Graffingna
San Juan other styles
Large producer of sherry style wines and Vermouth
Mendoza
70% of country’s wine production, 140,000 ha
Mendoza soils
Loose, sandy, alluvial soil w/ clay substructures
Mendoza topography
600-1,100 m. Mt Aconcagua. Tress to protect from summer temps
Early summer hail
Piedra. 6% of vines netted against hail
Mendoza blends?
Customary to own vineyards in different areas of Mendoza to mitigated hail and frost damage. Many varietal wines from different parts of the province. Some single-vineyard/terroir driven wines
Wind
Zonda. Hot, dry, strong, blows from W mainly in late spring and early summer
Chaptalization allowed?
No
Mendoza appellation system
Only area with a formal system. 5 regions, numerous dept and subregions
Mendoza subregions
Upper Mendoza River Region, Uco Valley, San Rafael and Luján de Cuyo
Upper Mendoza River Region
Best for red wine production
Uco Valley
Rising star.Cooler, good quality whites and PN, Malbec, Chard, CF
North Oasis/East Oasis
Low elevation, warm weather, big volume, entry level wines. Some quality wines with Tempranillo and Bonarda
Luján de Cuyo
“1st Zone”, most traditional high-quality region. 1st controlled appellation for Malbec
Luján de Cuyo main districts
Las Compuertas, Vistalba (2 highest), Agrelo, Perdriel, Ugarteche, Chacras de Coria, Mayor Drummond
Maipú
E of Luján, also “1st zone”. Slightly lower and warmer
Maipú districts
Cruz de Piedra, Barrancas, Russell, Coquimbito, Lunlunta, Fray Luis Beltrán, Maipú
Uco Valley departments
Tupungato, Tunyán, San Carlos. Poor soils, good drainage
Río Negro
Patagonia, much cooler. Apples, pears, grapes.
Río Negro Malbec
Higher acid, firmer tannins, more elegant. Smoky, tobacco notes with bottle age
País
Chilean name for Criolla Chica, Mission, Listán Prieto
Criolla Chica
Argentine name for Listán Preto of Spain. 423 ha. Pink skinned, paler but slightly better quality than Criolla Grande/Cereza
Criolla Grande
4th most planted vine. Coarse, pink skinned. 17,000 ha, most in Mendoza. Deep white or pale pink sold cheaply in liter bottles or cardboard cartons
Cereza
2nd most planted. 28,189 ha. X of Criolla Chica and Muscat of Alexandria. Whites and rosé of mediocre quality. Typically sold in cardboard packs or used as grape concentrate
Most planted grapes
1) Malbec 2) Cereza 3) Bonarda 4) Criolla Grande
Viti
Traditionally pergola to raise grapes from heat near ground. Modern cordon training systems
What % of vineyards are flood irrigated
90% (2010). Drip irrigation increasing
