Argentina General

Question 1

Bodega Catena Zapata

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Bodega Chacra

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Bodega Chacra Ownership History

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

What are the main soil types of Argentina

Answer 4

Alluvial, Sandy Loam, Clay

Question 5

What soil type dominates Mendoza, Uco Valley, and the High Desert?

Answer 5

Alluvial

Question 6

What soil type dominates Cafayete Valley?

Answer 6

Sandy Loam

Question 7

What soil type dominates San Juan?

Answer 7

Clay (also Sand Gravel and Limestone)

Question 8

Climate of Argentina

Answer 8

Argentina’s wine regions have a semi-arid, continental climate with high temperatures, low rainfall, and lots of sunshine

Question 9

Red Grapes of Argentina (in order of popularity)

Answer 9

Malbec, Bonarda, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Tempranillo, Merlot

Question 10

White Grapes of Argentina

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What are Torrentes Riojana’s siblings?

Answer 11

two sister varieties: Torrontés Sanjuanino (which isn’t aromatic at all) and Torrontés Mendocino (which is moderately aromatic)

Question 12

What is the style of wine in Argentina?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Geographic Features of Argentina

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Elevation of Argentinian Wineries

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Style of Vineyard in Argentina

Answer 15

Drip Irrigated with a long tradition of organic and sustainable farming. Many wineries moving towards bio dynamic farming

Question 16

What is the wind that dries Argentinian Vineyards?

Answer 16

The Zonda

Question 17

What are the three appellations in the Northern Region of Argentina?

Answer 17

Salta, Tucuman, Catamarca

Question 18

What are the three appellations in the Cuyo Region of Argentina?

Answer 18

La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza

Question 19

What are the three appellations in the Patagonia Region of Argentina?

Answer 19

La Pampa, Rio Negro, Neuquen

Question 20

Best Vintages for Argentina (past 15)

Answer 20

‘11, ‘13, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘20, ‘21

Question 21

Worst Vintages for Argentina (past 15)

Answer 21

‘15, ‘16 (not terrible but not great)

Question 22

What is the aging standard for Reserva wines in Argentina?

Answer 22

Reds=12 months, White and Rosé=6 months

Question 23

What is the aging standard fro Gran Reserva wines in Argentina?

Answer 23

Reds=18 months, White and Rosé=12 months

Question 24

Aging Potential of Argentinian Wine

Answer 24

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)