Argentina - GuildSomm - Advanced Flashcards
Argentina’s three most important red and white grapes
r) Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon
w) Pedro Gimenez (bulk), Torrontes, Chardonnay.
Donald Hess’ Colomé Estate has some of the worlds highest vines located in ______.
Salta
Argentina’s pink-skinned varieties occupying 30% of vineyards
Criolla Chica, Criolla Grande, Cereza.
Synonym for Bonarda
Charbono/Corbeau
Three overall regions of Argentina
North Region, Cuyo, Patagonia
What provinces are found in the North Region
Salta and Catamarca.
Salta’s subregion known for fine torrontes and red wines
Cafayete, high elevations keep Torrents light and fragrant. Malbec and Cab Sauv do well in high altitude too.
Prominent producers based in Salta’s subregion Cafayete
Susan Balbo “Crios”
Etchart Winery
Yacochuya (Etchart)
Cuyo is comprised of what wine provinces
La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza (north to south)
La Rioja’s famous subregion and major grapes
Famatina Valley. Torrontes, Malbec.
Argentina’s second largest wine region. First largest.
2nd: San Juan
1st: Mendoza
Tulum, Zonda, Ullum, Jáchal, Fertil Valley are subregions of what province?
San Juan < Cuyo
dominate grapes and style of San Juan
pink-skinned varities destined for brandy and vermouth, sherry.
Syrah and Bonarda in still wine.
Where are Mendoza’s highest vineyards
Uco Valley
Climate and Soil Types of Mendoza.
consequence to soils and water?
alluvial sand over clay - sand + dry zonda wind = no phylloxera. majority of vines on own rootstock.
Dry and desert like, irrigation necessary. mix of Furrow irrigation (flood) or normal drip irrigation.
Major subregions of Mendoza for quality
Uco Valley, Luján de Cuyo (DOC for Malbec), Maipú .
San Rafael is Chenin Blanc but single estate, General Alvear is bulk wine
Argentina has only 2 DOCs. What are they and what grapes
Luján de Cuyo (Malbec) San Rafael (Chenin Blanc but only used in Valentin Bianchi's base quality wines).
Two wine producing regions of Patagonia
Río Negro and Neuquén. White grapes and cool climate reds.
la pampa is an emerging region but still minor
Major red and white grapes of Patagonia
Torrontes, Semillon
Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir
Two producers from Patagonia
Bodega Noemia de Patagonia Bodegas Chacra (family behind Sassicaia) - Pinot Noir!
What is Argentina’s most planted grape?
Cereza is Argentina’s most planted grape
What is Cheval des Andes
A Malbec/Bdx blend between Chateau Cheval Blanc and Terrazzes de los Andes in Lujan de Cuyo DOC, Mendoza
What is Torrontés Riojano?
a unique, highly aromatic crossing of Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria - arg is hoping to have success with it?
What are 2 other grapes that produce low quality wines, but may be labeled as Torrontes?
Two other varieties, Torrontés Mendocino and Torrontés Sanjuanino, may be labeled as “Torrontés” but they tend to produce lower quality wines.
What two grape are a Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria crossing?
Torrontés Sanjuanino & Torrontes Riojano
Overall climate and influencing factors of viticulture in Argentina
Continental climate. Microclimates influenced by elevation (some of highest in the world), very dry and desert like (ZONDA winds), need of irrigation, precipitation comes in form of hail in spring and summer.
