Argentina General Flashcards
Bodega Catena Zapata
A pioneer in Malbec revival, this producer is known for its high-altitude vineyards and innovative viticulture practices. Their flagship wine, Nicolás Catena Zapata, is considered a benchmark for quality.
Bodega Chacra
Bodega Chacra is located in the Rio Negro Valley of northern Patagonia. The property’s location in the arid central Argentine desert is tempered by the confluence of the Neuquen and Limay Rivers, both of which flow from the Andes and converge in the Rio Negro, which in turn flows into the Atlantic.
Bodega Chacra Ownership History
In 2003 bought by Incisa (The Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta family is a historic Italian winemaking family with origins dating back to before the 11th century, Sassicaia)
What are the main soil types of Argentina
Alluvial, Sandy Loam, Clay
What soil type dominates Mendoza, Uco Valley, and the High Desert?
Alluvial
What soil type dominates Cafayete Valley?
Sandy Loam
What soil type dominates San Juan?
Clay (also Sand Gravel and Limestone)
Climate of Argentina
Argentina’s wine regions have a semi-arid, continental climate with high temperatures, low rainfall, and lots of sunshine
Red Grapes of Argentina (in order of popularity)
Malbec, Bonarda, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Tempranillo, Merlot
White Grapes of Argentina
Pedro Gimenez, not Ximenez.Table Wine (a naturally occurring cross between Listán Prieto and Muscat of Alexandria), Torrentes Riojano, more artful (another cross between Listán Prieto and Muscat of Alexandria), Chardonnay, Muscat of Alexandria, Sauv Blanc, Chenin Blanc
What are Torrentes Riojana’s siblings?
two sister varieties: Torrontés Sanjuanino (which isn’t aromatic at all) and Torrontés Mendocino (which is moderately aromatic)
What is the style of wine in Argentina?
Argentina is renowned for its bold, fruit-forward red wines, particularly Malbec, which has become the country’s signature grape. Pedro Gimenez for table wine and Torrontés the white wine is unique to the country.
Geographic Features of Argentina
Andes Mountains and Chile to the West, going east flat grasslands known as the Pampas and the Atlantic ocean. Bolivia North, Paraguay, Rio Grande Do Sul , and Uruguay moving Northeast
Elevation of Argentinian Wineries
Between 600 and 1,520 meters (2,000 to 5,000 feet) above sea level. Some acclaimed Malbec producers found at higher elevations 2,800+ feet
Style of Vineyard in Argentina
Drip Irrigated with a long tradition of organic and sustainable farming. Many wineries moving towards bio dynamic farming
What is the wind that dries Argentinian Vineyards?
The Zonda
What are the three appellations in the Northern Region of Argentina?
Salta, Tucuman, Catamarca
What are the three appellations in the Cuyo Region of Argentina?
La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza
What are the three appellations in the Patagonia Region of Argentina?
La Pampa, Rio Negro, Neuquen
Best Vintages for Argentina (past 15)
‘11, ‘13, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘20, ‘21
Worst Vintages for Argentina (past 15)
‘15, ‘16 (not terrible but not great)
What is the aging standard for Reserva wines in Argentina?
Reds=12 months, White and Rosé=6 months
What is the aging standard fro Gran Reserva wines in Argentina?
Reds=18 months, White and Rosé=12 months
Aging Potential of Argentinian Wine
Malbecs can age for upwards of 10-15 years while whites of the region are closer to 5-10 (note these are high quality bottlings)
Important elevations of Argentina?
-Salta is 1500-2000 meters / 5,000-6,000 feet in elevation, the highest in Argentina.
-Mendoza is 600-1200 meters / 2,000-4,000 feet in elevation.
