Argentina Flashcards
What are the grapes that dominated Argentina’s vineyards until recently but are still important for domestic consumption?
Cereza
Criolla Grande
Criolla Chica
Pedro Giménez
What effects of high elevation in Argentina make grape growing possible?
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)
What are rainfall levels like in most of Argentina? What are the viticultural options to combat this?
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)
What are soils like in Argentina?
Higher altitudes closer to Andes: alluvial with large stones, calcareous deposits
Middle: gravel, sand, silt
Lower: deep loamy clays
Chile and Argentina have few problems with phylloxera, but still graft. Why?
Nematodes in soil; some rootstocks provide tolerance to drought (Argentina)
Discuss the evolution of Malbec after it came to Argentina from France.
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
What is Argentina’s second most planted black variety?
Bonarda, mainly in San Juan and warmer areas of Mendoza; generally consumed domestically
What is the most planted white grape in Argentina?
Pedro Giménez
Neutral, simple grape made into wine mainly for local consumption
What precautions must be taken with growing Torrontés in Argentina?
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
What are the three tiers of Argentina’s system of geographical indicators?
IP - large geographical areas
IG - higher quality; specific geographical area
DOC - legislated criteria for wines from a specific geographical area
What are Argentina’s DOCs?
Luján de Cuyo
San Rafael
Both are in Mendoza
What does Reserva and Gran Reserva mean for Argentinian wine labels?
Reserva - 12 months of aging
Gran Reserva - 24 months
What large regional GI do the Mendoza, San Juan, and La Rioja provinces form?
Cuyo
Mendoza accounts for ___% of total Argentinian vyd area, and ___ of total production.
75%
2/3 of total production
What are the 5 divisions of Mendoza?
Northern, Eastern, Central, Uco Valley, and Southern