Argentina Flashcards
1
Q
Positives of flood irrigation in Argentina
A
- Cheap to operate/ no expensive equipment to install
- Water available from Andes glaciers/ snow melt
- Many of the soils are free draining
- so lets water get deep into the soils
- water logging not an issue
2
Q
negatives of flood irrigation in Argentina
A
- not an efficient or sustainable use of water
- less snowfall/ glaciers in Andes
- it is not targeted like drip irrigation
- vineyard needs to be levelled for this type of irrigation
- expensive (often more than drip irrigation)
- not always possible depending on topography
3
Q
climate of Patagonia
A
- continental
- altitude of vineyards lower than rest of country (200- 400m v 500-1500m in Mendoza)
- but cooling influence is higher latitude (38° to 39°S)
- temperatures are relatively low, sunlight is less intense, the growing season is longer
- Rainfall v low (under 200 mm, lower than Mendoza)
- strong, drying winds esp in Neuquen province mean trees planted as protection
- low rainfall, winds and high diurnal = little disease
4
Q
Argentina’s wine history before 1900
A
- 1550 first recorded vineyard (Spanish settlers)
- despite high altitude, arid climate, soon grew
- 1816 independence from Spain, attracted immigrants and vines from Spain, Italy, France
- 1851 viticultural research centre & school - many important European grapes (incl Malbec) pre phylloxera
- this encouraged significant European immigration of those who lost livelihoods to it in late 1800s
5
Q
Argentina was isolated from the world for much of the 20thC, so what kept its wine business going?
A
- very high domestic consumption (because of European immigrants wine drinking culture - 60L pp in 1870s)
- Dropped in economic crisis of 1929, but Peron measures supported wine so rose to 90L pp by 1970
- high volume, inexpensive wines from high yielding
- pink criollas Cereza, Crilla Grande, Criolla Chica
- white Pedro Giménez
- stayed high until 1970s when democracy, beer and soft drinks came in
6
Q
what is Criolla?
A
- collective name for grape varieties commonly grown in South America since arrival of conquistadores
- but Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica (Pais in Chile) are also names of individual grape varieties
7
Q
Argentinian wine history from 1970s to date
A
- 1970s democracy, beer, soft drinks, massive decline in domestic consumption - no longer captive consumer
- druing 70s and 80s Argentina switched 75% red to 75% white, 80% reduction in Malbec!
- Nicolas Catena looked to export markets, modernisation, quality, not quantity
- consultants Paul Hobbs, Michel Rolland, Alberto Antonini
- weak peso in ealry 2000s meant Argentine wine cheap
- 2017 11.8m hL of wine (6th largest in world) but still 80% domestic market
8
Q
Latitude and altitude effects in Argentina
A
- The 1500km of Argentina’s vineyards have low latitudes (24° to 38°S) - need altitude or too hot for viticulture
- Salta in the north at 24° plants from 1500-3000m
- gives intense sunlight/ultraviolet radiation, huge diurnal up to 20oC, cool nights extend season by slowing sugar accumulation - fully ripe grapes, high ripe tannins & anthocyanins (deep colour) but retain acid and freshness
- Patagonia at 38°S the highest plantings only 400m, but the higher latitude means lower temperatures, sunlight less intense and growing season is longer
9
Q
climate of Argentina
A
- continental (tiny coastal plantings), rain as low as 200mm
- most of vineyards at altitude (in rainshadow of) Andes in irrigated oases in what is otherwise desert.
- 1500km north 24oS (Salta) highest vineyards up to 3300m to south 38oS (Patagonia) lowest 200m
- irrigation essential, but v dry reduces risk of disease; lots of organically grown grapes
- strong, dry winds (like zonda) blow down from mountains
- occasional spring frosts, summer hail in Mendoza
- El Nino affects volume
10
Q
what is the zonda and its effect?
A
- strong, hot, dry wind blows along valleys in Argentina in late spring/ early summer
- can lower humidity, induce water stress
- can affect flowering, fruit set, or damage grapes
- can reduce yields
- may grow trees as windbreaks (eg poplars in Patagonia)
11
Q
8 most planted grapes in Argentina
A
- Malbec (20% total vineyards)
- Pink Criolla varieties
- Bonarda (2nd red, under half Malbec)
- Cabernet-Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Pedro Ximenez (white, neutral, cheap, but improving)
- Torrontes (usually Riojano, best)
- Chardonnay
12
Q
one slide on Malbec in Argentina
A
- flagship grape, 20% plantings (+250% since 2000)
- some pre-phylloxera cuttings from France, honed by clonal research and massale selection. Smaller berries/bunches than France and soter tannins
- vigorous, mid-ripening; in warm & sunny deep coloured, full-bodied, high soft tannins, high alcohol, ripe blackberry and black plums - hugely successful export
- range of styles and price points, sometimes blended with Bordeaux varieties, Bonarda, even Syrah
- regional styles according to altitude/latitude/ microclimate
13
Q
vineyard management in Argentina
A
- historically heat meant pergola (parral) system to lift grapes above hot ground and gave canopy shade
- parral still used for Torrontes (needs shade for acid etc)
- but shift to VSP for modern canopy and drip irrigation
- dry (little fungal) - irrigation essential: flood v drip
- spring frost occasionally, esp low, flat sites
- summer hail esp in Mendoza
- expensive netting (only best sites)
- different plots to spread risk (hail is localised), also adavntages in blending
14
Q
one slide on Bonarda
A
- Argentina’s second most planted black grape
- late ripening, high yields, 85% inexpensive for domestic
- mainly grown in San Juan and Mendoza
- typically deep colour, red & black fruits, medium (+) acid, medium tannins and alcohol
- it’s fruit and colour - popular blend with Malbec/ Cab Sav, but oak tends to overwhelm it
- at lower yielding vineyards/ old vines in Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo more complex, riper black fruits & spice, still mid-priced, a few premium
15
Q
compare the flavour profile of a high altitude, latitude Malbec with a lower altitude latitude Malbec in Argentina
A
- high altitude/latitude will have
- lower alcohol
- medium(+) firm versus medium tannins soft
- fresh black and red fruit flavours v riper fruits
- floral, herbal aromas (not found in lower sites)
- producers will often blend from different sites
- high quality, single vineyard wines are becoming more common
16
Q
Argentina’s Geographical Indicator system
A
- 3 tier
- IP (large geograpical area, but not whole country)
- IG (or GI) wines of certain quality from specific area considered capable of producing quality wine
-
DOC wines from specific geographical area with legislated criteria
- so far only two, both in Mendoza
- Luján de Cuyo
- San Rafael
- so far only two, both in Mendoza
17
Q
Do GIs in Argentina correspond to political divisions or terroir characteristics?
A
- most to date have been political, but some more recently are based on soil and climate eg Paraje Atlamira in San Carlos
