Argentina and Chile Flashcards
What defines Argentina’s wine geography and climate?
The Andes Mountains shape Argentina’s regions; high-altitude desert climates predominate, with irrigation from Andean snowmelt. The Zonda wind reduces disease pressure, and large diurnal shifts aid phenolic development.
Which grapes dominate Argentina’s plantings?
Malbec (red) is the hallmark, with Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah also significant. Key whites are Torrontés, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.
Describe Argentina’s wine law designations.
IPO (Indicación de Procedencia) for large areas; IG (Indicación Geográfica) for terroir-driven regions; DOC (Denominación de Origen Controlada) for stricter rules, such as Luján de Cuyo and San Rafael (both Malbec).
What are the basic aging requirements for “Reserva” and “Gran Reserva” in Argentina?
Reserva: 6 months (whites), 1 year (reds). Gran Reserva: 1 year (whites), 2 years (reds).
How did Argentina’s wine industry evolve historically?
1556: First vines in Mendoza. 1885: Railway connects Mendoza to Buenos Aires. 1960s-70s saw mass production, then 1980s-90s foreign investment improved quality. GI and IPO systems established in 1999.
Name four major northern IGs in Argentina.
Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, and Tucumán IGs, known for Torrontés and high-altitude Malbec.
Which varieties and styles characterize Catamarca IG?
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrontés, Chardonnay. Dry, fruit-forward reds; aromatic whites. Some sparkling and fortified wines.
What is notable about Catamarca’s climate and terroir?
High-altitude semi-arid climate, Andean foothills, volcanic soils. Warm days and cool nights enhance acidity and flavor concentration.
Where are the key wine villages in Catamarca?
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, plus smaller zones like Belén and El Alto, focusing on altitude-driven minerality.
Which grapes dominate Jujuy IG, and what style do they produce?
Torrontés, Chenin Blanc, Malbec, Syrah. Crisp floral whites, structured reds, often dry in style.
Describe Jujuy’s climate and terroir.
Steep Andean slopes, very high altitude, volcanic soils. Intense sun with cool nights, preserving acidity and supporting slow ripening.
Why is Salta IG renowned for Torrontés and Malbec?
Salta has extreme altitude vineyards (2,000m–3,000m+), volcanic/alluvial soils, strong diurnal shifts creating aromatic whites and concentrated reds.
What are Salta’s main wine towns?
Cafayate and Cachi produce premium Torrontés (high aromatics) and structured Malbec with mineral notes.
In Tucumán IG, which grapes stand out?
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Torrontés, Chenin Blanc. Balanced reds and aromatic whites.
What is the signature style of La Rioja IG?
Bold reds from Bonarda, Syrah, some Cabernet; white Torrontés and Chardonnay. High-altitude, mineral-laden wines.
Explain Mendoza IG’s significance in Argentina.
It’s the largest and most famous region, producing top Malbec, Cabernet, Syrah, Torrontés, and others. Sub-regions include Luján de Cuyo DOC, Maipú, Uco Valley, San Rafael DOC.
Name two DOCs in Mendoza focusing on Malbec.
Luján de Cuyo DOC and San Rafael DOC each have strict terroir and production rules, known for premium, age-worthy Malbec.
What soils dominate in Mendoza?
Alluvial soils with volcanic influence near the Andes. Mixtures of sand, clay, and gravel, providing good drainage and mineral complexity.
Which historical factors propelled Mendoza’s wine industry?
19th-century European immigration introduced advanced viticulture. 20th-century expansion served domestic markets. 1990s saw international recognition for premium Malbec.
How is Maipú IG different from Luján de Cuyo?
Maipú is generally lower altitude and warmer, yielding fruit-forward reds. Luján de Cuyo DOC has higher altitude sites for structured, age-worthy Malbec.
What characterizes San Rafael DOC?
Strictly Malbec-based, with cooler conditions in southern Mendoza. Wines show deep color, dark fruit, and spicy-mineral complexity.
Describe the Uco Valley GI’s terroir.
Extremely high-altitude (over 1,000m), mineral-rich alluvial/volcanic soils, big diurnal range. Produces elegant, structured reds and crisp whites.
Name the subregions of Uco Valley GI.
Tupungato, Tunuyán, San Carlos—each GI features distinct microclimates for Malbec, Cabernet, Syrah, Chardonnay.
Which grapes thrive in Córdoba Argentina IG?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot for reds, plus smaller Chardonnay/Torrontés plantings. Medium-bodied, fruit-forward wines.
What defines Patagonia IG’s climate vs. Mendoza?
Patagonia is cooler, with a more southerly latitude, often showing fresh acidity and elegance in reds, plus crisp whites and sparkling potential.
In La Pampa IG, which varieties are growing in popularity?
Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, plus Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for crisp whites. Also sparkling experiments.
Why is Neuquén IG considered a cool-climate region?
Proximity to the Andes, moderate latitude, volcanic/alluvial soils, and strong day-night temperature swings preserve acidity and nuance in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot.
Which grapes excel in Río Negro IG?
Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling. Fresh and precise reds with delicate fruit, plus floral whites and increasing sparkling wines.
What defines Chile’s wine geography?
A long, narrow country with ocean to the west, Andes to the east. Arid north, Mediterranean center, cooler southern latitudes. Major rivers shape valleys (Elqui, Aconcagua, Maipo, Maule, etc.).
Which red and white grapes are key in Chile?
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir. White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, plus Gewürztraminer, Muscat, and “Sauvignon Vert.”
Name Chile’s main DO categories.
Atacama, Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Valle Central, Sur, and Austral. Each DO has sub-DOs like Limarí, Casablanca, Maipo, Colchagua, Itata, etc.
When did modern winemaking begin in Chile?
16th c. Spanish introduced País. 19th c. saw French grape arrivals. 1990s modernization with stainless steel, foreign investment raised global quality.
How does Chile’s wine law define labeling percentages?
75% minimum for DO, varietal, vintage. Many producers adhere to 85% to align with EU standards.
Explain Carménère’s significance in Chile.
Carménère was mistaken for Merlot until the 1990s. It’s now a Chilean specialty, showing deep color, moderate tannins, and herbal “green pepper” notes.
What are Chile’s Reserva and Gran Reserva definitions?
Reserva: 12% ABV min. Reserva Especial: 12% + oak. Reserva Privada: 12.5%. Gran Reserva: 12.5% + oak. Each indicates potential quality steps.
Give an example of a renowned Chilean Cabernet blend.
Almaviva (joint venture of Concha y Toro & Rothschild) or Don Melchor (Concha y Toro) are top-tier Cab-based wines from Maipo.
Which DO in Coquimbo is known for Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc?
Elqui Valley DO in northern Chile. Its high altitude and clear skies produce elegant Syrah and crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
Name a sub-DO in Aconcagua known for cool-climate whites and Pinot Noir.
Casablanca Valley DO or San Antonio DO are recognized for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Which Chilean region is famous for classic Cabernet Sauvignon?
Maipo Valley DO in the Valle Central, near Santiago. Houses well-known “Bordeaux-style” reds.
Describe Rapel Valley DO’s subdivisions.
Cachapoal DO (includes Peumo for Carménère) and Colchagua DO (major Cabernet/Carménère zone, with Santa Cruz at its center).
What older grape thrives in Maule Valley?
País (Mission grape) has historic plantings, plus emerging Cinsault blends in southern areas for fresh red styles.
Which Sur region fosters old bush vines of Carignan and Cinsault?
Itata Valley DO has historically low-intervention vineyards, known for Muscat, País, Carignan, and Cinsault, revitalized by modern producers.
Why are Bío-Bío and Malleco DOs considered emerging?
Farther south, cooler, more rainfall. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc show fresh acidity and lower alcohol. Sparkling potential also recognized.
What is Austral DO?
A newly recognized southern extension of Chilean viticulture. Very cool climate with experimental plantings.
Give examples of Chilean icon wines beyond Cabernet.
Seña (Errázuriz & Mondavi collaboration, Bordeaux blend) and Clos Apalta (Casa Lapostolle, Carménère/Cab blend) both rank highly internationally.
