Argentina Flashcards
When were the first vineyards planted in Argentina?
1550s
What event happened in 1816 in Argentina and what effect did this have on the country’s viticulture?
Argentina declared independence from Spain.
This attracted European immigrants from France, Italy and Spain, bringing with them winemaking traditions and vines
Many important varieties arrived in Argentina before _____ which encouraged more European immigration in the late 1800s/ early 1900s
Phylloxera
Argentina was isolated for much of the 20th century but high domestic consumption sustained the industry.
What was the focus for production during this period?
What grapes were mainly used?
High volume, inexpensive wines.
Cereza
Criolla Grande
Criolla Chica
Pedro Gimenez
What inspired Argentinean producers to switch their focus from the domestic markets in the late 80s and early 90s to export markets?
- Declining domestic demand
- Return to democracy and the opening up of the economy
What factors helped the modernisation of the Argentinian wine industry? (3)
- Considerable foreign investment
- Arrival of famous wine consultants
- Parity of the dollar and peso (weak peso in the early 2000s made the wines look cheap on the export market)
Argentina’s main wine growing regions stretch from ____ in the north to ____ in the south.
They are found between the latitudes of ___ to ___ degrees south.
From Salta
to Rio Negro
Between 24 to 38 degrees south
Where are most of the vineyards in Argentina planted?
Which growing area is the exception?
Vineyards are in the foothills of the Andes in the west of the country.
Exception is Patagonia in the south of the region
Describe the general topography of Argentinian vineyards
Even at high altitudes, most vineyards are on flat or gently sloping sites
Explain why rainfall is particularly low in Argentinian vineyards.
Most regions are in the rain shadow of the Andes mountains
Explain the key effects of altitude and why it is so important in Argentinian vineyards.
- Low latitudes (24 to 38 degrees south)
- Mountains provide wide diurnal range
- Cooler nights extend the growing season
- Grapes retain acidity while developing riper fruit aromas
Name the hot, dry, powerful wind that occurs mostly in late spring and summer in Argentina.
Explain what affects this has on vines.
What can be done to mitigate the effects?
The Zonda
- Lowers humidity
- Reduces disease pressure
- Can induce water stress
- Can affect flowering and fruit set
- Can damage grapes
- Can reduce yields
Trees can be planted to act as windbreaks
When does rain tend to fall in Argentina?
In summer
What weather hazard poses a constant threat in Argentina?
What can be done to protect vines?
Hail
Netting is used, but many will only cover their most prized sites as it is expensive.
Where might frost be a particular issue in Mendoza?
In flat areas or at the bottom of slopes
Despite protection from the Andes, Argentina is still affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
What weather does this bring?
What effect does this have on crop? (3)
Brings much higher than average rainfall and more hailstorms
- Can damage crops
- Increases disease pressure
- Can reduce harvest
Most Argentinian vineyards are on ____ soils deposited by rivers flowing down the Andes.
Middle areas are dominated by ___, ____ and ____.
Lower areas have deeper ____ ____ soils which are more fertile.
Alluvial soils
Gravel, sands and silts.
Deeper loamy clay soils.
Why are Argentinian vineyards generally optimal for producing low yields of quality grapes? (3)
- Dry climate
- Low organic matter in soils
- Poor soils, particularly at higher altitudes
Almost ___% of vineyards in Argentina are over 40 years old.
30%
Where is irrigation water generally sourced from?
When do these channels and dams date back to?
Where is this water stored until needed?
Melt water from the mountains
Channels and dams date back to the 16th century
Water is stored in reservoirs
Describe what types of irrigation are common in Argentina.
Flood irrigation is widely used (70% of vineyards) as free draining soils allow water to penetrate deeply.
Drip irrigation is gaining popularity, especially on sloped vineyards as this is cheaper than levelling them out.
How do grape growers in Argentina typically time irrigation and why?
Typically larger amounts of water in winter
Lower amounts in summer
Ensures roots grow at a depth to find water
Focuses more on fruit development rather than green growth
What two types of vine training methods are common in Argentina, and what are the benefits of these
PERGOLA AKA PARRAL
- High training system, raises grapes from ground heat
- Provides shading
- Common for high vigour varieties
- Used in warmer areas for Torrontes (needs shading to retain acidity)
VSP
- Increasingly common
- Allows drip irrigation
- Enables modern canopy management techniques
Why are the majority of Argentina’s vines ungrafted?
Why might this be changing?
Phylloxera has not been a big threat in Argentina.
Grafting is becoming important for protecting against nematodes and choosing drought resistant rootstock
Name the three pink Criolla varietals that typically dominated Argentina’s wine production.
Cereza
Criolla Grande
Criolla Chica
What is the second most planted black grape in Argentina?
Where is it commonly found?
Bornada
Mainly found in San Juan and warmer areas of Mendoza
Bornada is ____ ripening and ____ yielding.
Late ripening
High yielding
What does Bornada typically add to blends?
Which grapes would you expect it to be blended with?
Deep colour Red and black fruit flavours Medium (+) acidity Medium tannin Medium alcohol
Adds fruitiness to blends - not v. good with oak
Tends to be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec
What price would you expect from single varietal Bornada wines? Where would these mostly be sold?
Inexpensive reds for domestic consumption
Malbec is a _____ grape and is ____ ripening
Vigorous
Mid ripening
Give a tasting note for a Malbec from warm, sunny conditions.
Deep coloured Ripe blackberry and black plum Medium acidity High levels of soft ripe tannins High alcohol Full bodied
Give a tasting note for a Malbec from cool conditions.
Deep coloured Fresh red and black fruit flavours with floral, herbal aromas Medium (+) acidity Medium (+) tannins Medium to high alcohol Full bodied
Cabernet Sauvignon is more susceptible to ____ ____ and ____ ____ than Malbec, meaning that site selection is very important
Temperature extremes and fungal disease
What aroma profile does Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon typically show?
Is blending with other varietals common?
Ripe blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, spice but no herbal notes.
Typically blended with Malbec in top wines but there is an increasing number of single varietal top wines
Syrah is typically planted in hotter parts of Argentina, such as ____ and ____ ____
Mendoza and San Juan
What fermentation / maturation vessels were typically used in Argentina throughout the 19th and 20th century?
How did this shift in the late 20th century?
What type of red wines were produced in the late 20th
Large oak barrels were used
Shifted to a more modern international style of wine making with more new oak and temperature controlled fermentations. Fruit was harvested later (riper).
Full bodied, ripe, fruity wines with prominent oak flavours
How has winemaking for red varietals changed in the 21st century in Argentina? (6)
- Earlier picking for fresher fruit (higher acidity and lower potential alcohol)
- Some experiments with spontaneous fermentations
- Some wholebunch
- Gentler extraction techniques
- Experimenting with different fermentation vessels
- Blending of differently treated parcels
Name 3 significant premium wine producers in Argentina
Catena Zapata
Vina Cobos
Archaval Ferrer
Which grape is now commonly used to make some good quality rose in Argentina?
Malbec
Rose used to be a bi product but increasingly grapes are being grown specifically for rose production
Describe the type of wines produced using Pedro Gimenez
Simple, neutral, inexpensive wines for domestic consumption
Where would you expect to find high quality examples of Torrentes?
Cafayate
Salta
Some cooler sites in the Uco Valley
Torrentes is a natural cross of which grapes?
Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica
What aromas are typical of Torrentes?
What winemaking techniques can be used to make fresher and fruitier wines with lower alcohol levels?
Pronounced floral aromas (reminiscent of Muscat)
Reducing yields
Earlier harvest
Careful temperature control
Torrentes is ____ yielding and ___ ripening: what is the effect of this?
High yielding: vigour needs to be controlled for better quality fruit
Early ripening: heat means some wines are overly alcoholic, can lack acidity and have a bitter finish
Where would you expect to find cool climate premium Chardonnay growing in Argentina?
Give a typical aromas.
Uco Valley
Ripe stone and tropical fruit with subtle oak spice
In Argentina, what are the following three tiers of wine regulations:
Indicación de Procedencia
Indicación Geográfica
DOC
Indicación de Procedencia : large area
Indicación Geográfica: wines meet a certain quality and are made from a specific area capable of producing quality wines
DOC: specific geographical area with legislated criteria: only Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafeal (Mendoza) currently exist
Which 3 provinces form a large GI called Cuyo?
Mendoza
San Juan
La Rioja
Mendoza province accounts for ___% of total Argentinian vineyard area and ___% of production.
75% of total Argentinian vineyard area and 66% of production.
Where are the highest elevations in Mendoza?
What elevations are vineyards here?
Uco Valley
850 - 1,500m
Name the five distinct areas within Mendoza.
Which is the only GI?
Northern Mendoza Eastern Mendoza Central Mendoza Southern Mendoza Uco Valley (the only GI)
Put the following in order of largest to smallest:
Province Department District Region GI inside distrist Subregion
Region Province Subregion Department District GI inside district
What type of wine production is dominant in Northern and Eastern Mendoza?
What factors make this possible?
Large volumes of inexpensive wines
- Warm conditions
- Good access to irrigation water
What are the names of the rivers that Northern and Eastern Mendoza source irrigation water from?
Northern: Mendoza River
Eastern: Tunyan River
Northern and Eastern Mendoza are situated on ____ in the _____ River Valley at elevations of ____m to ____m.
Plains in the Mendoza River Valley
Elevations of 500m to 700m
Name the two prestigious wine departments in Central Mendoza
Luján de Cuyo
Maipú
Which grape dominates production in Central Mendoza?
What other three varietals do well here?
Malbec dominates
Cab Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo
What wines is Luján de Cuyo known for?
Old vine Malbec
Luján de Cuyo is south-west of _____ _____ where the ____ river emerges from the foothills of the ______.
South west of Mendoza City
Mendoza River
Foothills of the Andes
Vineyards in Luján de Cuyo are at what elevations?
900m-1,100m
What are the ageing requirements for DOC Luján de Cuyo?
Is this commonly used?
Minimum 24 months ageing, 12 in oak
Used only by a small number of wines, typically Malbec
Name two well known district level GIs within GI Luján de Cuyo.
Las Compuertas
Agrelo
Which district level GI in Luján de Cuyo has the highest altitude vineyards?
What styles of wines are made here?
Las Compuertas
Fruity full-bodied wines from Malbec and Bordeaux grapes with medium plus acidity and firm tannins, giving ageing potential
Some elegant Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
What type of soils are found in Agrelo?
What styles of wines are made here?
Clay soils
Riper red wines than Las Compuertas with structure for ageing (v.good - outstanding)
Some fruity full bodied white wines, particularly Semillon
Maipú is east of ___ ___ ____ and south east of _____ ____.
East of Luján de Cuyo
South east of Mendoza City
How does altitude vary across Maipú?
Is the climate here warmer or cooler than in Luján de Cuyo?
900m on the border with Luján de Cuyo, 600m further east
Warmer than Luján de Cuyo
Describe the style of Malbec produced in Maipú in comparison with the other areas of Mendoza.
Large population of old vines.
Malbecs are intensely fruity, full-bodied and with higher tannins than elsewhere in Mendoza
Where might inexpensive, volume wines be sourced from in Maipú?
From lower altitude, warmer sites
Name the three departments included within Uco Valley.
Tupungato
Tunuyán
San Carlos
The Uco Valley straddles the valleys of the ____ ____ in the foothills of the ____
Tunuyán River
Andes
Describe the growing conditions in Uco Valley (4)
How does this affect grape growing? (5)
- Highest altitudes in Mendoza
- Cool temperatures
- Wide diurnal range
- Intense sunlight
- Grapes accumulate sugars slowly
- Retain acidity
- Deep colour
- Ripe tannin
- Fresh fruit flavours
Uco Valley is experiencing high levels of investment due to quality potential.
What variety dominates, and which grapes have potential here?
Malbec dominates
Potential for high quality white wines
Tupungato is found at the foot of which volcano?
Mount Tupungato
Which is the most northerly, highest altitude department in Uco Valley?
What styles of wine are produced here (include varieties)?
Tupungato
Fresh, full-bodied reds from Malbec, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir
Crisp, elegant whites from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
What is the most recognised district in Tupungato?
What altitude are vines found at here?
What soils are found here?
Gualtallary
1,100m to 1,600m
Limestone soils
Describe the style of Malbec produced in Gualtallary
Lighter in body, highrt acidity with herbal notes and red and black fruit
Which two grapes are commonly blended in Gualtallary?
Cabernet Franc and Malbec
Tunuyán is a department within which sub region?
Describe how growing conditions vary in the department and how this affects wine styles produced here.
Uco Valley
Range of altitudes
Lower, warmer end of the valley: full-bodied, ripe structured red wines
Higher site: some of the coolest in Mendoza, with premium whites and Pinot Noir
Which is the most southerly of the Uco Valley departments?
San Carlos
San Carlos produces quality red wines from which grape varieties?
Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
What is the name of the GI within San Carlos?
Paraje Altamira
Describe the soils and elevation in Paraje Altamira
Based on an alluvial fan with varied soils
High amounts of calcium carbonate and stony topsoils
1,000 to 1,200m above sea level
Describe how Malbec wines from Paraje Altamira compare with those from Gualtallary.
More intense with fuller body
Acid and tannin structure for ageing
What altitude are vineyards in Southern Mendoza?
450 to 850m (lower elevations than the rest of Mendoza)
Describe the climatic conditions in Southern Mendoza
- More southerly location
- Cooler
- Longer summers
- Slow ripening
- Prone to summer hail
Are wines from Southern Mendoza highly sought after?
Does not have the same reputation as other areas, but some high quality.
Grapes are often blended.
Red wines from Southern Mendoza are more _____ bodied than in the north with more ____ fruit
Medium bodied
Red fruit
What red grapes dominate in Southern Mendoza?
Which white grape makes well-balanced fruity wines here?
Malbec
Cab Sauvignon
Syrah
Bornada
Chenin Blanc
Which province has seen a fall in area under vine in Argentina and why?
San Juan
Typically a lot of pink skinned Criolla grapes were grown here which are now falling out of fashion
Which black grape in San Juan is the most planted and making good quality wines?
Where are the best vines planted?
Syrah
Best wines are from higher altitude sites in the foothills of the Andes
Name the high quality GI in San Juan producing high quality Syrah with high acidity and fresh fruit flavours
Pedernal Valley
At what altitudes would you find San Juan vineyards?
600 - 1,500m
What type of wines is La Rioja province known for?
Mostly high volume inexpensive wines from Fromatina
What is the largest producer of Fairtrade wines in the world?
La Riojana Co-op
What are the four most planted grapes in La Rioja?
Torrontes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec
Syrah
What is the most northerly wine region in Argentina?
What altitudes are vineyards found at and how does this effect the grapes?
Salta Province
1,500m - 3,000m
Low latitude and high altitude means high tannins and anthocyanin levels in grapes
What factor shortens sun exposure in Salta Province?
Mountains surrounding the valley providing shade
Why are vines in Salta typically lower yielding with thicker skinned grapes?
For protection from winds; the Zonda blows very strong here.
_____ is the dominant white grape in Salta, particularly i Cafayate in the south where vineyards at around ____m produced _____ ______ wines
Torrentes
1,700m
Aromatic, unoaked wines
Patagonia’s vineyards are at a _____ latitude and a _____ altitude than those in Mendoza, at elevations of____m
Higher latitude and lower altitude than Mendoza
400m
Describe the growing conditions in Patagonia in comparison to Mendoza.
- Lower temperatures in Patagonia
- Less intense sunlight
- Longer growing season
What is the most planted grape in the Patagonia region?
What other grapes are gaining reputation?
Malbec is the most planted (floral character)
Pinot Noir Cabernet Franc Merlot Semillon Chardonnay Riesling
Where do the winds blow in from in Patagonia?
What effect do these winds have on the grapes growing there?
What type of trees are often planted to try and limit wind damge?
Blow across the arid Patagonian plateau from the Andes
- Helps lower yields
- Grapes have thick skins
- Reduces disease pressure
- Can disrupt flowering
- Can damage vines
Poplar trees
What are the names of the two main winemaking provinces in Patagonia?
Which is the warmer of the two, producing riper wines?
Nequén Province (warmer and more arid)
Rio Negro Province
What is the annual production by volume in Argentina?
13 million hl
How many hectolitres did Argetina export in 2018?
2.8 million hl
Where is the biggest market for Argentinian wines by volume and value?
What are the next biggest markets?
USA (22% of exports by volume, 31% by value)
UK, Spain, Canada and Brazil
Why are other South American countries important for Argentina’s wine exports?
Due to the Mercosur Free trade agreement
The weak peso in the 2000’s fuelled Argentina’s export boom, but explain why exports recently have fallen again.
- Rise in inflation has increased production costs
- Low yields in 2016 (El Niño)
- Spring frosts killed crop in 2017
- Government imposed restrictions on foreign land ownership, although these were lifted in 2016
What percentage of Argentina’s exports is single variety Malbec?
Explain why this may be problematic
60%
If Malbec fell out of favour, it would be catastrophic for the Argentinian wine industry. Many producers are looking to diversify their bottlings
Name two organisations promoting wine in Argentina and some of their strategies.
WINES OF ARGENTINA
- World Malbec Day (promote and retain interest in an increasingly diverse range of wines)
- Looking to modernise the image of Argentina’s wines
COVIAR
- Brings together local and national governments, growers and producers
- Overseeing strategy 2020 to promote Argentinian wine further
What percentage of vineyards in Argentina are 5ha or less? What type of businesses dominate ownership?
60%
Many vineyards are still family owned (some sell grapes, some make wine)
