Argentina Flashcards
Describe the effects of the Pacific influences in Argentina
it’s cut off by the Andes
what is argentina’s wine regions defined by
Altitude
where do many of Argentina’s best vineyards lie?
over 1000 m above sea level
what two varieties have become to be recognized as producing Argentina’s signature wines?
black - Malbec
white - Torrontes
Where do most of Argentina’s vineyards lie?
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
With the exception of Negro and Neuquén where do the majority of vineyards lie in terms of seas level?
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
How were most vineyards planted in Argentina historically due to the heat?
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
How are black varietals planted in Argentina?
vertical trellises with the canopies still situated to provide shade from the intense sun
Describe water in Argentina
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
What type of irrigation is used in Argentina?
flood irrigation was widespread but drip irrigation is more common for newer vineyards (uses scare water more efficiently)
What type of weather is a problem particularly in Mendoza
spring frosts (occasional problem) and summer hail (regular problem)
What do producers use to protect their vines from hail
netting despite the cost
What type of problems are typically avoided due to dry climate
rot and mildew
What is Argentina’s flagship variety?
Malbec - has the largest planting of this grape worldwide.
Describe a Malbec from Argentina
full bodied notes of black fruit and often high levels of smooth tannins. However some producers are now making more elegant styles
How are most high quality Malbec’s from Argentina aged?
in new oak giving it subtle spicy flavors
Describe differences in Malbec based on regions in Argentina
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.
Describe how Malbec is mostly produced
as a single varietal but can also be the backbone of a blend generally with Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab franc, and Petit Verdot
What is the second most planted varietal in Argentina?
Bonarda
Describe Bonarda in Argentina
late ripening helps to produce deeply colored grapes with high acidity and tannin levels.
Describe Bonarda in Argentina when grown in high yields.
easy drinking, with med to deep color and fruity raspberry and blackberry aromas.
Describe Bonarda in Argentina when yields are controlled and allowed to fully ripen
can produce wines of greater concentration and structure - mainly in Mendoza and San Juan
Besides Malbec and Bonarda what other varietals are widely planted in Argentina
Cab Sauv, Syrah, and Merlot. also smaller volumes of Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir
What is seen as Argentina’s white signature varietal?
Torrontes
Where is Torrontes planted?
Salta, La Rioja, San Juan, and Mendoza
Where do the best examples of Torrontes come from in Argentina
high altitude vineyards in the Cafayate region on Salta Province
Describe a premium Torrontes from Cafayate region
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
What are other widely planted white grapes in Argentina
Chardonnay - found in a range of styles
Chenin Blanc, Sauv Blanc, Semillon, and Voigner
Describe a Chardonnay from Argentina
premium ones typically aged in oak barrels with a proportion that is new.
What is a traditional low quality white grape that is used for cheap wines for the domestic market
Pedro Gimenez (not Ximenez from Spain)
What kind of system does Argentina use to classify wines?
GI system in common with most new world countries - broken down into regions and then Provinces and finally into more specific departments
How many broad regions is Argentina split into for GI purposes?
3 - however Patagonia is the only one widely seen on wine labels
Where is Salta Province located in Argentina?
it is the northerly most vineyard region in Argentina located close to the border of Bolivia.
How high do some of the vineyards get in Salta Province?
over 3000 m above sea level
What kind of wines is produced from the extreme climates in Salta Province
great purity and concentration
what is the dominate grape in Salta Province and describe the characteristics
Torrontes - high aromatic wines
In what region of Salta Province is Torrontes specifically dominate
Cafayate
What are the major black varieties in Cafayate?
Malbec, and Cab Sauv
Which province has the 3rd largest area of production in Argentina?
La Rioja Province
What is the main vineyard area in la Rioja Province?
Famatina Valley - large volume of grapes can be grown on irrigated valley floors
What is the specialty of La Rioja Province?
Torrontes
Besides Torrontes what are other varietals grown in La Rioja Province
Cab Sav, Syrah, and Bonarda (most planted black varieties
How are wines from La Rioja Province typically labeled?
Famatina in order to avoid confusion with Rioja Spain
What is Argentina’s second most important wine area?
San Juan Province
Where are vineyards located in San Juan Province?
about 450-1400 m above sea level, similar altitude as those in Mendoza to the south.
What is San Juan Province particularly known for?
Syrah, but other grapes that flourish are Malbec, Cab Sauv, and Bonarda
What are the most planted white varietals in San Juan Province
Chardonnay, Viognier
What province dominates wine making and accounts for the vast majority of wine produced in Argentina?
Mendoza Province
Describe climate of vineyards in Mendoza Province
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
What are the 5 sub divisions that Mendoza is split into?
Northern, Eastern, Central, Uco Valley, and Southern
What often occurs with wines from the 5 subdivisions of Mendoza?
they are often blended to take advantage of fruit from different climates
Where in Mendoza is the focus on high volume inexpensive wines?
Northern and eastern Mendoza
What makes growing large volumes of grapes possible in Northern and eastern Mendoza
the Mendoza River flows through this area providing irrigation water
What Mendoza region has the longest history of producing high quality wines and has the most famous producers?
Central Mendoza
What department in Central Mendoza has a reputation for producing very fine Malbec?
Lujan de Cuyo
Where does Lujan de Cuyo lie
900-1100 m in altitude in the foothills of the Andes southwest of Mendoza City.
Describe Malbec wines from lujan de Cuyo
made from old vines typically soft round and sweet spice Malbec blends
Where does the Maipu department lie in Central Mendoza
to the east of Lujan de Cuyo with vineyards at lower altitudes
What varietals perform well in Maipu?
Cab Sauv and Syrah
Which department provides much high volume inexpensive wines for both domestic and exports in Central Mendoza
Maipu
Where is the Uco Valley in Mendoza
lies to the south west of Mendoza, 900-1500 m making them the highest vineyards in Mendoza
What quality fruit does Uco Valley produce
high quality
Describe wines from Uco Valley
cool nights help to retain acidity and fresh fruit flavors, and sometimes they display floral aromas.
What varietals flourish in uco Valley?
Chardonnay, Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Cab Sauv, Merlot and Tempranillo. Pinot Noir can do well in some of the cooler sites
What department can be found in Uco Valley
Tupungato - to the west with high altitude
What department is found in southern Mendoza?
San Rafael
Describe San Rafael climate
low altitude, but its southernly location makes it one of the coolest areas in Mendoza province
What varietal does San Rafael have the countries most significant plantings of?
Chenin Blanc
What two provinces are found in Patagonia Region?
Rio Negro Province and relatively new Neuquén Province
What is the cooling influence in the Patagonia Region?
the latitude not the altitude as vineyards are situated at 200-250 m
what is a challenge for growers in the Patagonia region
strong desert blowing winds
What do vines benefit from in the Patagonia region
the low amount of rainfall and wide diurnal range helps vine benefit from low incidence of disease
Describe wines from Patagonia Region
long daylight hours and cool nights provide wines with concentrated but fresh fruit flavors and med-high acidity.
What wines are able to make premium wines in Rio Negro
Sauv Blanc, Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Merlot.
What wines are able to make premium wines in Neuquen
still undetermined
