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
