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My WSET LEVET 3 > Argentina > Flashcards

Argentina Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the effects of the Pacific influences in Argentina

A

it’s cut off by the Andes

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2
Q

what is argentina’s wine regions defined by

A

Altitude

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3
Q

where do many of Argentina’s best vineyards lie?

A

over 1000 m above sea level

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4
Q

what two varieties have become to be recognized as producing Argentina’s signature wines?

A

black - Malbec

white - Torrontes

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5
Q

Where do most of Argentina’s vineyards lie?

A

close to the Andes in a series of irrigated oases in what is otherwise deserts. they are spread over 1500 km from the province of Salta in the north to Rio Negro and Neuquén in Patagonia

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6
Q

With the exception of Negro and Neuquén where do the majority of vineyards lie in terms of seas level?

A

600 m or more above sea level

in Salta close to the town of Cafayte, it is closer to 2000m or more which allows cool sites to be near the equator

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7
Q

How were most vineyards planted in Argentina historically due to the heat?

A

planted in the Pergola system, know locally as parral - which lifts the grapes away from the searing heat close to the ground and with grapes hanging down below the leaf canopy also provides shade from the intense sunshine. still used for Torrontes grapes

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8
Q

How are black varietals planted in Argentina?

A

vertical trellises with the canopies still situated to provide shade from the intense sun

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9
Q

Describe water in Argentina

A

there is a rain shadow in the Andes rainfall is extremely low, but water is drawn down from rivers flowing down from the mountains or subterranean aquifers

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10
Q

What type of irrigation is used in Argentina?

A

flood irrigation was widespread but drip irrigation is more common for newer vineyards (uses scare water more efficiently)

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11
Q

What type of weather is a problem particularly in Mendoza

A

spring frosts (occasional problem) and summer hail (regular problem)

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12
Q

What do producers use to protect their vines from hail

A

netting despite the cost

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13
Q

What type of problems are typically avoided due to dry climate

A

rot and mildew

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14
Q

What is Argentina’s flagship variety?

A

Malbec - has the largest planting of this grape worldwide.

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15
Q

Describe a Malbec from Argentina

A

full bodied notes of black fruit and often high levels of smooth tannins. However some producers are now making more elegant styles

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16
Q

How are most high quality Malbec’s from Argentina aged?

A

in new oak giving it subtle spicy flavors

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17
Q

Describe differences in Malbec based on regions in Argentina

A

those made in lower altitudes are fuller bodied with richer black fruit.
those made in higher altitudes tend to be more elegant displaying fresher floral aromas.

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18
Q

Describe how Malbec is mostly produced

A

as a single varietal but can also be the backbone of a blend generally with Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab franc, and Petit Verdot

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19
Q

What is the second most planted varietal in Argentina?

A

Bonarda

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20
Q

Describe Bonarda in Argentina

A

late ripening helps to produce deeply colored grapes with high acidity and tannin levels.

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21
Q

Describe Bonarda in Argentina when grown in high yields.

A

easy drinking, with med to deep color and fruity raspberry and blackberry aromas.

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22
Q

Describe Bonarda in Argentina when yields are controlled and allowed to fully ripen

A

can produce wines of greater concentration and structure - mainly in Mendoza and San Juan

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23
Q

Besides Malbec and Bonarda what other varietals are widely planted in Argentina

A

Cab Sauv, Syrah, and Merlot. also smaller volumes of Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir

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24
Q

What is seen as Argentina’s white signature varietal?

A

Torrontes

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25
Q

Where is Torrontes planted?

A

Salta, La Rioja, San Juan, and Mendoza

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26
Q

Where do the best examples of Torrontes come from in Argentina

A

high altitude vineyards in the Cafayate region on Salta Province

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27
Q

Describe a premium Torrontes from Cafayate region

A

intense fruity floral perfume with med body and acidity and flavors of stone fruits and melon. typically fermented in inert temp-controlled vessels and releases from the winery in the year of harvest

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28
Q

What are other widely planted white grapes in Argentina

A

Chardonnay - found in a range of styles

Chenin Blanc, Sauv Blanc, Semillon, and Voigner

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29
Q

Describe a Chardonnay from Argentina

A

premium ones typically aged in oak barrels with a proportion that is new.

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30
Q

What is a traditional low quality white grape that is used for cheap wines for the domestic market

A

Pedro Gimenez (not Ximenez from Spain)

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31
Q

What kind of system does Argentina use to classify wines?

A

GI system in common with most new world countries - broken down into regions and then Provinces and finally into more specific departments

32
Q

How many broad regions is Argentina split into for GI purposes?

A

3 - however Patagonia is the only one widely seen on wine labels

33
Q

Where is Salta Province located in Argentina?

A

it is the northerly most vineyard region in Argentina located close to the border of Bolivia.

34
Q

How high do some of the vineyards get in Salta Province?

A

over 3000 m above sea level

35
Q

What kind of wines is produced from the extreme climates in Salta Province

A

great purity and concentration

36
Q

what is the dominate grape in Salta Province and describe the characteristics

A

Torrontes - high aromatic wines

37
Q

In what region of Salta Province is Torrontes specifically dominate

A

Cafayate

38
Q

What are the major black varieties in Cafayate?

A

Malbec, and Cab Sauv

39
Q

Which province has the 3rd largest area of production in Argentina?

A

La Rioja Province

40
Q

What is the main vineyard area in la Rioja Province?

A

Famatina Valley - large volume of grapes can be grown on irrigated valley floors

41
Q

What is the specialty of La Rioja Province?

A

Torrontes

42
Q

Besides Torrontes what are other varietals grown in La Rioja Province

A

Cab Sav, Syrah, and Bonarda (most planted black varieties

43
Q

How are wines from La Rioja Province typically labeled?

A

Famatina in order to avoid confusion with Rioja Spain

44
Q

What is Argentina’s second most important wine area?

A

San Juan Province

45
Q

Where are vineyards located in San Juan Province?

A

about 450-1400 m above sea level, similar altitude as those in Mendoza to the south.

46
Q

What is San Juan Province particularly known for?

A

Syrah, but other grapes that flourish are Malbec, Cab Sauv, and Bonarda

47
Q

What are the most planted white varietals in San Juan Province

A

Chardonnay, Viognier

48
Q

What province dominates wine making and accounts for the vast majority of wine produced in Argentina?

A

Mendoza Province

49
Q

Describe climate of vineyards in Mendoza Province

A

desert like conditions, protected from rain in the west by the huge Andes Mountains and from the east by the vastness of the Argentine Pampas

50
Q

What are the 5 sub divisions that Mendoza is split into?

A

Northern, Eastern, Central, Uco Valley, and Southern

51
Q

What often occurs with wines from the 5 subdivisions of Mendoza?

A

they are often blended to take advantage of fruit from different climates

52
Q

Where in Mendoza is the focus on high volume inexpensive wines?

A

Northern and eastern Mendoza

53
Q

What makes growing large volumes of grapes possible in Northern and eastern Mendoza

A

the Mendoza River flows through this area providing irrigation water

54
Q

What Mendoza region has the longest history of producing high quality wines and has the most famous producers?

A

Central Mendoza

55
Q

What department in Central Mendoza has a reputation for producing very fine Malbec?

A

Lujan de Cuyo

56
Q

Where does Lujan de Cuyo lie

A

900-1100 m in altitude in the foothills of the Andes southwest of Mendoza City.

57
Q

Describe Malbec wines from lujan de Cuyo

A

made from old vines typically soft round and sweet spice Malbec blends

58
Q

Where does the Maipu department lie in Central Mendoza

A

to the east of Lujan de Cuyo with vineyards at lower altitudes

59
Q

What varietals perform well in Maipu?

A

Cab Sauv and Syrah

60
Q

Which department provides much high volume inexpensive wines for both domestic and exports in Central Mendoza

A

Maipu

61
Q

Where is the Uco Valley in Mendoza

A

lies to the south west of Mendoza, 900-1500 m making them the highest vineyards in Mendoza

62
Q

What quality fruit does Uco Valley produce

A

high quality

63
Q

Describe wines from Uco Valley

A

cool nights help to retain acidity and fresh fruit flavors, and sometimes they display floral aromas.

64
Q

What varietals flourish in uco Valley?

A

Chardonnay, Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Cab Sauv, Merlot and Tempranillo. Pinot Noir can do well in some of the cooler sites

65
Q

What department can be found in Uco Valley

A

Tupungato - to the west with high altitude

66
Q

What department is found in southern Mendoza?

A

San Rafael

67
Q

Describe San Rafael climate

A

low altitude, but its southernly location makes it one of the coolest areas in Mendoza province

68
Q

What varietal does San Rafael have the countries most significant plantings of?

A

Chenin Blanc

69
Q

What two provinces are found in Patagonia Region?

A

Rio Negro Province and relatively new Neuquén Province

70
Q

What is the cooling influence in the Patagonia Region?

A

the latitude not the altitude as vineyards are situated at 200-250 m

71
Q

what is a challenge for growers in the Patagonia region

A

strong desert blowing winds

72
Q

What do vines benefit from in the Patagonia region

A

the low amount of rainfall and wide diurnal range helps vine benefit from low incidence of disease

73
Q

Describe wines from Patagonia Region

A

long daylight hours and cool nights provide wines with concentrated but fresh fruit flavors and med-high acidity.

74
Q

What wines are able to make premium wines in Rio Negro

A

Sauv Blanc, Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Merlot.

75
Q

What wines are able to make premium wines in Neuquen

A

still undetermined

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