Argentina

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Cereza
Criolla Grande
Criolla Chica
Pedro Giménez

Question 2

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

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

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

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

What are soils like in Argentina?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

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

Answer 5

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

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is Argentina’s second most planted black variety?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is the most planted white grape in Argentina?

Answer 8

Pedro Giménez

Neutral, simple grape made into wine mainly for local consumption

Question 9

What precautions must be taken with growing Torrontés in Argentina?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

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

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What are Argentina’s DOCs?

Answer 11

Luján de Cuyo
San Rafael

Both are in Mendoza

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Reserva - 12 months of aging

Gran Reserva - 24 months

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Cuyo

Question 14

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

Answer 14

75%

2/3 of total production

Question 15

What are the 5 divisions of Mendoza?

Answer 15

Northern, Eastern, Central, Uco Valley, and Southern

Question 16

What is the common blending method in Mendoza for Malbec?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What kind of wine does Northern and Eastern Mendoza make?

Answer 17

Lower areas, so large volumes of inexpensive wines

Question 18

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

Answer 18

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

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

Question 20

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

Answer 20

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

Question 21

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

Answer 21

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

Question 22

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

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Where is the San Juan province located in Argentina?

Answer 23

north of Mendoza

Question 24

How is San Juan compared to Mendoza?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What distinguishes the vineyards in Salta more than anything else?

Answer 25

elevation: vyds situated between 1500-3000m

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

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Zonda; results in thicker skins, lower yields

Question 27

How would you characterize the climate in Patagonia?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Where will you find the Río Negro and Neuquén provinces?

Answer 28

Patagonia

Question 29

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

Answer 29

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

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Domestic market; exports account for under 20% of production