Argentina Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the grapes that dominated Argentina’s vineyards until recently but are still important for domestic consumption?

A

Cereza
Criolla Grande
Criolla Chica
Pedro Giménez

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2
Q

What effects of high elevation in Argentina make grape growing possible?

A
Cooler temps (below 500m is generally too warm)
Wide diurnal range with cool nighttime temps
Intense sunlight and high ultraviolet radiation (results in higher levels of tannins, anthocyanins)
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3
Q

What are rainfall levels like in most of Argentina? What are the viticultural options to combat this?

A
Very low (in rain shadow of Andes), sometimes less than 200mm/yr
Irrigation: rivers carrying meltwater from Andes (stored in dams, irrigation channels, reservoirs), flood irrigation (70% of vyds), drip irrigation (newer vyds)
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4
Q

What are soils like in Argentina?

A

Higher altitudes closer to Andes: alluvial with large stones, calcareous deposits
Middle: gravel, sand, silt
Lower: deep loamy clays

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5
Q

Chile and Argentina have few problems with phylloxera, but still graft. Why?

A

Nematodes in soil; some rootstocks provide tolerance to drought (Argentina)

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6
Q

Discuss the evolution of Malbec after it came to Argentina from France.

A

High-quality cuttings were taken pre-phylloxera to Argentina
Further honed by clonal research, massale selection
Current clones have smaller berries/bunches, softer tannins than in France

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7
Q

What is Argentina’s second most planted black variety?

A

Bonarda, mainly in San Juan and warmer areas of Mendoza; generally consumed domestically

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8
Q

What is the most planted white grape in Argentina?

A

Pedro Giménez

Neutral, simple grape made into wine mainly for local consumption

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9
Q

What precautions must be taken with growing Torrontés in Argentina?

A

Which variety is planted (Riojano is usually the best of the three available)
Early ripening grape; too much heat will result in overripeness, overly alcoholic with a bitter finish
Needs cool weather, usually found at higher elevation

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10
Q

What are the three tiers of Argentina’s system of geographical indicators?

A

IP - large geographical areas
IG - higher quality; specific geographical area
DOC - legislated criteria for wines from a specific geographical area

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11
Q

What are Argentina’s DOCs?

A

Luján de Cuyo
San Rafael

Both are in Mendoza

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12
Q

What does Reserva and Gran Reserva mean for Argentinian wine labels?

A

Reserva - 12 months of aging

Gran Reserva - 24 months

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13
Q

What large regional GI do the Mendoza, San Juan, and La Rioja provinces form?

A

Cuyo

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14
Q

Mendoza accounts for ___% of total Argentinian vyd area, and ___ of total production.

A

75%

2/3 of total production

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15
Q

What are the 5 divisions of Mendoza?

A

Northern, Eastern, Central, Uco Valley, and Southern

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16
Q

What is the common blending method in Mendoza for Malbec?

A

Blending across all 5 divisions to take advantage of distinct characteristics from each area

17
Q

What kind of wine does Northern and Eastern Mendoza make?

A

Lower areas, so large volumes of inexpensive wines

18
Q

Which region is known as the ‘Primera Zona’ in Mendoza?

A

Central Mendoza; has the longest history of producing high quality wine

19
Q

Where will you find Maipú? What kind of wines does it produce?

A

Central Mendoza in Argentina; has a large population of old vines; intensely fruity and full-bodied wines with higher alcohol and softer tannins than elsewhere in Mendoza

20
Q

What kind of wine must be produced in the DOC Luján de Cuyo?

A

Typically only Malbec, but must be aged for a min 24 mos/12 mos in oak

21
Q

Where will you find the highest vineyards in Mendoza? What kind of wine does this result in?

A

Uco Valley; wider diurnal range means grapes accumulate sugar less quickly and retain acidity and fresh fruit flavors; intensity of sunlight gives deep color, ripe tannins

22
Q

Where will you find the Gualtallary district, and what kind of wines does it make?

A

Tupungato department in the Uco Valley GI in Mendoza, Argentina; limestone soils and high altitudes
light-bodied, high-acid, herbal characteristics

23
Q

Where is the San Juan province located in Argentina?

A

north of Mendoza

24
Q

How is San Juan compared to Mendoza?

A

San Juan is generally hotter and with a lower diurnal range; tends to produce inexpensive wines, especially from the Criolla varieties

25
Q

What distinguishes the vineyards in Salta more than anything else?

A

elevation: vyds situated between 1500-3000m

low latitudes; some of closes vyds to Equator anywhere in world

26
Q

What is the strong wind that blows down the valleys from the mountains in Argentina? How does it affect the grapes/vines?

A

Zonda; results in thicker skins, lower yields

27
Q

How would you characterize the climate in Patagonia?

A

much lower altitude but higher latitude, so temps are lower, sunlight less intense, growing season longer; rainfall levels low; constant winds blow

28
Q

Where will you find the Río Negro and Neuquén provinces?

A

Patagonia

29
Q

When was the export boom in Argentina? How far has it continued?

A

early 2000s; weak exchange rate made for inexpensive but good quality wines being exported to the USA; peaked in 2008-2012, but has fallen due to economic policies and inflation

30
Q

What’s more important in Argentina–export or domestic market?

A

Domestic market; exports account for under 20% of production