Argentina Copied & Amended Flashcards
Neuquen province
Neuquen province:
- New wine producing region
- Vineyards situated close to where the River Neuquen meets the Rio Negro
- Lack of water main issue – cannot grow as a region
- Warmer, more arid than Rio Negro: riper styles
- Main varieties are: Malbec; Pinot Noir, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc
Argentina has a number of factors that affect the wine region’s climate - dot point them and expand on them if you can
- Wine-producing regions
- 1500 kms apart, from Salta in the North to Rio Negro in South
- 24- 38°S in latitude degrees
- Altitude:
- 500-1000mRL
- Many over 1,000mRL
- highest is around 3300mRL!!
- Gives a wide diurnal temperature range – over 20 degrees in some places
- The cooler night-time temperatures help to extend the growing season and allow the grapes to retain acidity and aromas
- At low latitudes, the influence of cooling altitude essential to make the climate cool enough for viticulture
- Combined effect of low latitude and high altitude also results in intense sunlight and high levels of ultraviolet radiation - leads to higher levels of tannins and anthocyanins
- Most regions are in the foothills of the Andes – and in the rain shadow of the Andes
- Rainfall levels are very low – some places less than 200mm per annum
- In desert like conditions irrigation is essential
- Even at highest altitude, most are planted on flat or gentle sloping sites
- Majority of regions have Continental climate
- Dry air reduces risk of fungal disease; strong winds from mountains
- Zonda:
- hot dry powerful wind occurring in late spring, early summer
- lowers humidity; can induce water stress in the vines
- can affect flowering; fruit set; or damage grapes
- trees planted (poplars) as windbreaks
Patagonia is only 200~250 metres altitude so what provides cooling?
It’s Southerly latitude
Argentina’s vineyards are cut off from ocean cooling by the Andes so where does cooling come from?
Cooling must come from altitude with the best vineyards 1,000m + above sea level
Climate of Mendoza?
-
Climate:
- Continental w 4 seasons + no extreme temp variations
- Rainfall of 200-300mm/yr in summer.
- La Piedra (early summer hail)
- La Zonda (hot dry wind from N-E)
what is the altitude range of the Uco Valley
altitude of 850-1500
Where is Torrontes most successful?
Cafayate and high altitude Uco Valley - retains its acidity and doesn’t get overripe
How many DOCs are in Argentina?
What are they?
What are the principal grapes for each?
2
Lujan de Cuyo / Malbec
San Rafael / Chenin Blanc
What is Mendoza in terms of Argentinian wine production?
75% of vineyard area and 2/3rds of total production
Northern and Eastern Mendoza?
North & Eastern Mendoza:
- On plains of the Mendoza River valley
- Altitude: 500-700m; relatively low-level areas
- Irrigation: R Mendoza; (for N Mendoza); R Tunuyan (Eastern Mendoza)
- Warmer conditions and easy availability of water means these areas produce larger volumes of inexpensive wine
- Some higher quality wines from Tempranillo & Bonarda
When is the grape harvest time in Argentina?
March/April
Viticulture of San Juan
-
Viticulture
- Production of Inexpensive wines from high-yielding pink varieties
- Traditional home of Cereza
- Vineyard area is decreasing unlike other regions in Argentina
-
Syrah:
- Most widely planted grape alongside Bonarda & Malbec
- Highest quality produced from high Altitudes on foothills of Andes
-
GI of Pedernal valley (1250-1500m)
- Higher diurnal range
- Higher acid levels and fresher fruit flavours
How does Malbec differ in style by climate?
- Cooler sites
- Higher altitudes or relatively high latitudes
- Lower Alcohol; Medium (+) Acidity; Medium (+) Tannins; fresh fruit flavours, Red & Black fruit, Herbal & Floral
- Warmer sites
- Full Body; Riper fruit, Lower Acidity and Softer Tannins
Southern Mendoza?
Southern Mendoza
- South of Mendoza; in dept of San Rafael
- 200 kms south of city of Mendoza
- Altitude: 450–850mRL
-
Climate
- Southerly location = summers are cooler/longer
- slower sugar accumulation; good Acid retention
- Particularly prone to Summer hailstorms
-
Wines
- Reds: Medium body, show more red fruit
- Malbec, Cab Sav, Syrah, Bonarda most imp reds
- Chenin Blanc: signature white grape; fruity, well balanced
- San Rafael DOC:
- Only other DOC in Argentina and which covers whole dept
- But most producers use the San Rafael GI instead
- The GI doesn’t have any winemaking stipulations
In which province is Cafayate located?
Salta
Rio Negro province
Rio Negro Province: (Black river)
- the main growing province of Patagonia
- been producing wines for 100 years
- Significant stocks of old vines (Semillon, Pinot Noir, Malbec)
- Viticulture at the upper end of valley where elevations are from 180-270mRL
- Produces elegant, well balanced:
- Pinot Noir
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Sav Blanc & Riesling
- 350mm rainfall, big diurnal shift
- Cooler climate w long warm ripening season + chalky soil -> ideal for whites
3 tier system of Geographical Indications is used in Argentina
3 Tier system of Geographical Indications:
-
IP: (Indicacion de Procedencia)
- cover large geographical areas
- though not the country as a whole
-
IG: (or GI, Indicacion Geografica)
- wines that meet a certain quality,
- from a specific geographical area
- that is considered capable of producing quality wines
-
DOC
- from a specific geographical area
- with legislated winemaking criteria
- so far only 2 created
- both in Mendoza, only a small number of producers use this category
- Lujan de Cuyo
- San Rafael
Two key regions of Patagonia?
Rio Negro and Neuquen
What best describes a wine made from the Torrontés grape?
- Medium body/ Medium acidity
- Intense fruity, floral perfume
- Stone fruit and melon flavors
Chardonnay in Argentina?
Chardonnay
- widely planted as it is a versatile varietal
- Premium wines
- from cool sites in Uco Valley
- Medium (+)-High Acidity, Ripe Stone & Tropical fruit
- Subtle spice notes from Oak maturation
- some using small proportion of new oak or entirely old Oak
Where are most grapes grown in La Rioja Province? What grape is grown there as a speciality?
What other 3 black grapes are grown?
On the irrigated valley floors of Famatina Valley.
Torrontes is a speciality Cab Sav, Syrah and Bonarda grown there too
Exports are what % of production?
20%
How would you describe a young Torrontés (aromatics / acidity / alcohol)?
Highly aromatic, elevated acidity, elevated alcohol
Phylloxera present?
Yes - but sandy soils, dry climate seem to keep it at bay
Main hazards of Agentinian wine regions?
Hazards
- Hail
- netting used to protect with hail; many producers in Mendoza own vineyards in many different parts of the province to minimize risk of hail
- can do damage to their entire crop.
- Summer Hail (« piedra ») main threat, up to 30% crop lost every year
- Frost
- in Mendoza; usually in flat or bottom of slopes
- El Nino
- Occurs every 2-10 years; brings much higher than avg rainfall; more hailstorms
- in 2016 reduction in yield of 25% across the country, 40% in Mendoza
San Carlos
- San Carlos
- Most southerly of the 3 depts
- Recognised for its old vine plantings & quality of Malbec, Cab Sav, and in lower warmer areas, Syrah
-
GI of Parage Altamira:
- Based on Alluvial fan, includes a variety of Soils, though high presence of Calcium Carbonate & Stony topsoil are hallmarks of the GI
- 1000 -1200mRL
- Lower Altitude than Gualtallary
- More intense and fuller bodied than Gualtallary, with acidity & tannin structure to age
Where generally and specifically do the best Mendoza wines come from, at what altitude and which grape specifically?
Central Mendoza, specifically the departments of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipú.
Specifically Foothills of Andes at between 900~1,100 metres Renowned for producing very fine Malbec
What is the geographic area marked with an X below?
San Juan
What are the better wines, from Maipu department, made with?
Syrah and Cab Sav
What is the climate and viticulture of Uco Valley?
-
Climate
- high altitude & high latitude means cooler temps
- and a wider diurnal range
-
Viticulture
- Grapes accumulate less sugar, retain Acidity, fresh fruit flavours
- Intense sunshine give grapes deep colour & ripe tannins
- Because of potential for quality; huge investment from leading winemakers
- Vineyard area has almost doubled this century!
- Black grapes dominate and with Malbec the largest
Main export markets?
- Main export markets by volume
- USA – over 25%
- UK – 15%
- Canada, Brazil, Paraguay
- Other South American countries remain important
What are the flagship black and white grapes of Argentina?
What is the 2nd most planted black grape?
Black = Malbec
White = Torrontes
Bonarda
Bonarda?
Bonarda
- 2nd most planted black variety
- Called Bonarda Argentina to distinguish it from Italian variety
- Mainly planted in San Juan & warmer areas in Mendoza
-
Characteristics
- Late ripening varietal
- High Yielding;
- Deep colour; Medium (+) Acidity; Medium Tannins; Medium Alcohol
- Red & Black fruit flavours;
- Fruity in nature - oak can overwhelm it - If oak used then large or old vessels
- produces large volumes of mid-priced wines
- 85% is consumed domestically
- Popular blending partner to Malbec & Cab Sav
- Some producers are now making:
- more complex, riper black fruit, spicy
- from lower yielding, old vines in Maipu; Lujan de Cuyo; East of Mendoza
what altitude is Lujan de Cuyo?
900-1100mRL
Tupungato department - where is it and what is grown there
Describe its most recognised district
- Tupungato:
- Most Northerly & highest of departments
- At the foot of Mt Tupungato volcano
- Fresh, full bodied wines from Malbec, Cab Sav, Cab Franc, PN
- Crisp Elegant whites from Chardonnay & Sav Blanc
-
Gualtallary
- most recognized district
- Narrow strip of vineyards between 1100-1600mRL
- Increasingly recognized as High Quality, complex Whites & Reds
- Distinct Limestone soils; process of being recognized as a GI
- Malbec grown in Gualtallary, (higher altitudes) lighter bodied, Higher Acidity, Red & Black fruit, more Herbal than rest in Argentina
- Blends of Malbec and Cab Franc are common
Which white grape grown extensively in Argentina has floral, muscat-like aromas and a spicy note?
Where is this varietal’s most famous sub region and what is it called?
Torrontés
What are the 5 regions of Mendoza?
Northern
Eastern
Central (Upper)
UCO Valley (Western)
Southern
What is the most famous region of Salta Province,
how high are some vineyards planted
and what is the main grape grown there?
What are the main 2 black grapes grown?
Cafayate region
High elevation, vineyards at 1700mRL
Torrontes is dominant Malbec and Cab Sav also grown
Irrigation water in Argentina? is essential? how is it sourced and distributed?
-
Irrigation:
- Low rainfall, Irrigation essential
- Mendoza river & tributaries, deliver meltwater from winter snow/glaciers of Andes
- this collected by dams & irrigation channels (most date back to 16th C)
- Many irrigated by flood irrigation!
- water released when needed, via complex man-made systems
- amt equivalent to heavy rainstorm
- most widely used irrigation system - 70% of vineyards
- Drip irrigation since 90’s
- Cheaper & easier than leveling land for flood irrigation; water for drip irrigation from bore holes instead
- Also, if there is no sufficient sources of water then drip irrigation is more efficient and targeted
- Recent water shortages in Mendoza, La Rioja and San Juan
- For flood & drip irrigation:
- the traditional timing of water application is to give larger amts in winter, then low in growing season
Climate of San Juan
-
Characteristics
- Altitude: 600-1500mRL
- Lower altitude sites, hotter than Mendoza with a lower Diurnal range
What is the red grape variety that Argentina is most famous for?
Malbec
Where will you find the highest vineyards in Mendoza, what grapes is it renowned for producing?
UCO Valley with vineyards between 900~1,500 metres
Cool nights retain acidity and fresh fruit flavours Chardonnay, Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc
Malbec, Cab Sav, Merlot, and Tempranillo Some sites cool enough for Pinot Noir
3 most important sub-regions of Mendoza?
- Luján de Cuyo
- Maipú
- Uco Valley (Valle de Uco)
Wines labeled as GI in Argentina must met what laws?
- Wines labeled as GI:
- Must be exclusively from grapes grown in that area
- If vintage declaration: 85% from that vintage
- Single varietal: 85% of that variety
- Where 2 or 3 varieties mentioned: must together make up 85% of the blend
- Reserva: aged for 12 mths for Reds; 6 mths for White /Roses;
- Gran Reserva must be twice as long:
- 24 months for Reds
- 12 months for Whites/Roses
The climate of Salta?
-
Climate
- Along the valley of Calchaqui River; providing water in desert like conditions
- Lying between 24-26°S; Closest to equator
- 200 mm rainfall
- Low latitudes offset by Altitude
- 1500-3000m: extreme wine growing conditions
- Low Latitude but High Altitude
- Intense Sunlight; Leading to grapes with high levels of Anthocyanins & Tannins
- Mountains provide shade; shortening exposure to intense Sunlight
- Strong Zonda wind; Vines forced to protect themselves; thick skins & lower yields
- Wide diurnal range; producing full bodied, fragrant, fresh wines
Argentina’s wine growing regions are generally located in areas with which climate type?
Continental
Where is Maipu? vineyards? and what wines is it known for?
- Maipu:
- North East of Lujan de Cuyo & East and south of city of Mendoza
- Altitude: 900m on border of Lujan de Cuyo down to 600m East
- Tends to have warmer sites
- Large population of old vines
- Malbec
- Intensely fruity, Full body,
- High Alcohol, Softer Tannins
- Lowest warmer sites produce large volumes of inexpensive wines;
- Warmer sites are also a source of higher quality Cab Sav; Tempranillo and Old vine Bonarda
the Lujan de Cuyo DOC - what are the rules?
-
DOC Lujan de Cuyo
- 1st DOC created in Argentina
- Must be aged min 24 mths, with min 12 mths in Oak
- used by small no of producers, typically for Malbec
Pinot Noir in Argentina?
Pinot Noir
- Plantings increasing but not in top ten
- Successful in Patagonia, plus some high elevation vineyards in Uco Valley
- Produces concentrated fruity wines
Where is La Rioja, what does it produce?
- North of San Juan
- 3rd largest wine producing region in Argentina
-
Production
- High volume, inexpensive wines, grown in Famatima valley
- Wine principally made from Torrontes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah
- Production dominated by La Riojana Co-operative
- single largest Fairtrade certified wines
- Wine exported are labeled as ‘La Rioja Argentina’
what is the Central Mendoza sub region called?
Primera zone
Which Argentine province produces a majority of the country’s wine?
Mendoza
Training systems used in the Argentinian vineyards?
- Training Systems
- High Pergolas
- Traditionally trained on high Pergola system known as Parral;
- to raise grapes away from heat on the ground & provide shade for the fruit
- Common for high yielding, high vigour varieties like Criolla Grande & Chica; Pedro Gimenez
- Newer plantings on VSP cordon training systems; enable use of modern canopy management techniques & drip irrigation
- High Pergolas
what wines are produced in Patagonia?
-
Wine Production
- Reputation for High quality: Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Merlot, Semillon, Chardonnay, Riesling
- Malbec most planted variety (floral character)
how much of total vineyard area is Malbec in Argentina?
20%
What is the name for Argentina’s traditional vine training system?
Describe it:
How are vines trained now?
Parral, a pergola system to keep the grapes away from the hot ground and leaves arranged to provide shade. Torrontes is still grown this way but, increasingly, black grapes are trained on vertical trellises with canopies arranged to give shade
Criolla Grande and Cereza are both ___-skinned grapes, used mainly for what?
Pink-skinned
Bulk wine / grape concentration production
Describe a typical Argentinian malbec
-
Wines
- Deep coloured, Full bodied
- High levels of Soft Tannins
- High Alcohol
- Ripe Blackberry and black plums
- Can be made in different styles
- Inexpensive/Mid-priced: Light fruity wines, early drinking,
- Premium: structured, age worthy with premium & super premium
What is predominantly produced in Northern and Eastern Mendoza?
Bulk wines, nothing special
Varietal characteristics of Torrontes
-
Characteristics
- Natural cross of Muscat of Alexandria & Criolla Chica in 18th C
- Often have a strong floral aroma of Muscat
- Vigorous and high yielding
- Widely planted in Mendoza; San Juan; La Rioja
- As an early ripening grape, heat meant it became over ripe and overly alcoholic, lacked acidity with a bitter finish
Tunuyan department of Uco Valley?
- Tunuyan
- South of Tupungato
- Wider range of Altitudes than Tupungato
- At lower/warmer end it produces
- Fuller body; Structured, Fruity Red wines
- Higher sites
- Suitable for Premium white & Pinot Noir
problems in the Argentinian wine industry?
- Problems in the Industry
- Exports have fallen since the boom
- inflationary rises leading to increase production costs making it hard to sustain price points in the market
- Low yields in 2016 (heavy rains as part of El Nino); Spring frosts in 2017 have also contributed to problems
- At the same time govt imposed restrictions on Foreign ownership of land (slowing rate of foreign investments); Those laws changed since 2016
Pedro Gimenez?
Pedro Gimenez
- most planted white variety
- neutral grape used simple, inexpensive wines for domestic consumption
Mendoza province
how much does it represent of Argentinian vineyards
how much of the total Argentinian wine production does it produce
where is the province positioned topographically
what altitude range is at?
Mendoza Province
- 75% of the vineyard plantings
- 2/3rds of wine produced
- By far largest province in Argentina
- Main vineyards at the base of the Andes, valley of the R Mendoza
- River Mendoza supplying essential water for irrigation
- Altitude: 500 to 1,500mRL in the upper parts of Uco valley
Soils of Mendoza are generally?
Loose, sandy, alluvial soil with clay substructures
What is the average elevation range for vineyards in Argentina?
500-1,500m above sea level
The Climate of Patagonia
Patagonia Region:
-
Climate
- Due to higher latitude, Temps are relatively low, sunlight less intense
- growing season longer
- Rainfall 200mm so irrigation essential
- CONSTANT WINDS;(esp in Neuquen), blow across arid Patagonian plateau from Andes; can be strong enough to disrupt flowering& damage vines
- Barriers needed to protect vines; vineyards protected by rows of Poplar trees
What latitude is Patagonia
38-39 degrees south
What are the 2 provinces of Patagonia?
Rio Negro Province
Neuquen Province
What dominated Argentinian grapegrowing until recently?
- Was once dominated by high-yielding pink criolla varieties
- The notable ones: Cereza, Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica (Pais in Chile)
- Pink skins when fully ripe
- Produce wines that are lightly coloured
- Used to make inexpensive wines for the domestic market
- Still 25% of plantings!!
- Cereza is still comfortably 2nd most planted variety
Viticulture of Salta?
-
Viticulture
- Malbec
- dominant black grape
- full body, Medium (+) Acidity, High Alcohol
- Ripe Black fruit, herbal or floral characteristics
- Other black grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Syrah, Tannat
- Torrontes:
- Successful in GI Cafayate (district south of the province; vineyards 1700 m)
- Produces aromatic, unoaked wines
- Malbec
What wines is Patagonia known for?
-
Wine Production
- Reputation for High quality: Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Merlot, Semillon, Chardonnay, Riesling
- Malbec most planted variety (floral character)
Syrah in Argentina?
Syrah
- Hotter sites in Mendoza;
- San Juan – more planted here than Malbec
- Wines:
- Warmer sites: Full body, high alcohol, ripe black fruit
- Cooler sites: elegant, firmer tannins, Fresher fruit
How do the primary soil types vary in Argentinian wine regions?
- Different soils at different altitudes:
- Higher altitudes
- Larger stones with calcareous deposits dominate the higher altitudes,
- closer to the Andes;
- found in Gualtallary; Paraje Altamira in Uco valley; Pedernal valley in San Juan – now seen as sources of high-quality wines
- Middle altitudes
- dominated by Gravel, Sands & Silts;
- Maipú + Río Negro
- Lower altitudes
- Deep loamy Clay soils, richer in nutrients
- Higher altitudes
Which of the following is/are important natural factors in Mendoza?
- Hail
- Altitude
- Ocean Breezes
1 and 2
Gualtallary district - where is it located?
within the Tupungato department of the Uco Valley sub region
Describe the Gualtallary district’s soil
distinct limestone soil
What is the key varietal of Gualtallary and what is the style of wine made from it?
what is the other black varietal grown of note?
Malbec - lighter bodied than usual, with higher acidity, red and black fruit with more herbal notes than usually seen in Argentina
Cabernet Franc
