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
What is the common blending method in Mendoza for Malbec?
Blending across all 5 divisions to take advantage of distinct characteristics from each area
What kind of wine does Northern and Eastern Mendoza make?
Lower areas, so large volumes of inexpensive wines
Which region is known as the ‘Primera Zona’ in Mendoza?
Central Mendoza; has the longest history of producing high quality wine
Where will you find Maipú? What kind of wines does it produce?
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
What kind of wine must be produced in the DOC Luján de Cuyo?
Typically only Malbec, but must be aged for a min 24 mos/12 mos in oak
Where will you find the highest vineyards in Mendoza? What kind of wine does this result in?
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
Where will you find the Gualtallary district, and what kind of wines does it make?
Tupungato department in the Uco Valley GI in Mendoza, Argentina; limestone soils and high altitudes
light-bodied, high-acid, herbal characteristics
Where is the San Juan province located in Argentina?
north of Mendoza
How is San Juan compared to Mendoza?
San Juan is generally hotter and with a lower diurnal range; tends to produce inexpensive wines, especially from the Criolla varieties
What distinguishes the vineyards in Salta more than anything else?
elevation: vyds situated between 1500-3000m
low latitudes; some of closes vyds to Equator anywhere in world
What is the strong wind that blows down the valleys from the mountains in Argentina? How does it affect the grapes/vines?
Zonda; results in thicker skins, lower yields
How would you characterize the climate in Patagonia?
much lower altitude but higher latitude, so temps are lower, sunlight less intense, growing season longer; rainfall levels low; constant winds blow
Where will you find the Río Negro and Neuquén provinces?
Patagonia
When was the export boom in Argentina? How far has it continued?
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
What’s more important in Argentina–export or domestic market?
Domestic market; exports account for under 20% of production
