Argentina-Regions,Climate,Soil,Grapes....

Question 1

Who and when bring the first grapes to Argentina?

Answer 1

Viticulture was brought to South America with Spanish missionaries at the beginning of the 16th, one early example was the cultivation of the Canary Islands grape Listán Prieto, referred to as:
1. País in Chile
2. Criolla Chica in Argentina
3. Mission in California.

Question 2

Why did South America suffer in the 17th century?

Answer 2

A prohibitive Spanish law that restricted wine production in the new world in favor of Iberian producers

Question 3

Who and when bring Malbec to Argentina?

Answer 3

Malbec was brought in 1853 by Michel Pouget on the instruction of provincial governor of Mendoza Domingo Faustino Sarmiento

Question 4

Where are Argentina Vineyards located?

Answer 4

The Argentina vineyards are mainly located in western side of the country, in the plains and foothills near the Andes.

Question 5

What is the name of Argentina wine Gowerning body?

Answer 5

Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV) is the Government’s controlling body.

Question 6

Argentina also have IG’s and DOC’s explain and how many of them?

Answer 6

1. Geographic Indication (Indicaciones Geográficas) or IG, There around 90 IG’s
2. Argentina has a small number of DOCs (Denominación de Origen Controlada) that specifiy grape varieties, viticultural practices, and aging requirements in the style of European appellations, and they are Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael – only used by a few producers

Question 7

For Premium White wines what is ageing for Reserva?

Answer 7

Min 6 Months

Question 8

For Premium White wines what is ageing for Grand Reserva?

Answer 8

Min 1 Year / 12 Months

Question 9

For Premium Red wines what is ageing for Reserva?

Answer 9

Min 1 Year / 12 Months

Question 10

For Premium Red wines what is ageing for
Grand Reserva?

Answer 10

Min 2 Years / 24 Monthas

Question 11

When was this Reserva and Grand Reserva tearms introduced?

Answer 11

It was introduced at 2008 and also added a limit to max yields.

Question 12

Name the Argentina Large Economic Regions?

Answer 12

1. North Region
2. Cuyo Region
3. Patagonia Region
4. Center Region
5. Atlantic Region

Question 13

Explain Argentina Climate conditions?

Answer 13

Climate is Continental becose of Vineyards location in western part close to Andes, Argentina’s wine producing regions are very dry and this is coused by Zonda Winds.

Question 14

What are the Zonda Winds?

Answer 14

Zonda Winds are fierce, dusty, hot afternoon winds that blows down from the mountains in the late spring and early summer, sometimes adversely affecting flowering.

Question 15

Is there a Rain Shadow efect in Argentina?

Answer 15

Rain Shadow efect is coused by Andes Mountains, so the whole estern side of Andes will be dry with very little rainfall…

Question 16

Dose Argentina need Irigation?

Answer 16

Definitly, Argentina relies on irigation from Snow melting and running down the Andes.

Question 17

What was the traditional solution for Irigation?

Answer 17

Traditionaly Vineyards and Irigation channels were sited in a way so wines were routinely flooded with meltwater from Andes. (Flood irigation )

Question 18

What is new common way of Irigation?

Answer 18

Drip Irigation System becose of less snow and lack of melted snow after winter.

Question 19

What wine regions can relie on enough watter from nearby rivers?

Answer 19

1. Jujuy
2. Rio Negro

Question 20

Is there any regions or vineyards that recive enough rain?

Answer 20

1. Vineyards in southern part of Partagonia
2. New Vineyards in Buenos Aires

Question 21

Any examples of Dry-Farming?

Answer 21

In High Uco Valley:
1. Los Arboles
2. San Pablo
3. La Carrera

Question 22

Is there any Hail danger?

Answer 22

We have dangerous spring and summer hail, they can be as big as mans fist, as well hails are very localised so they dont hit all the vineyards, so its very common to see special hail nets as protection in vineyards, nets are very expencive as well so its also common to have spred strategic vineyards so if one of vineyards is hit you can relie on others.

Question 23

Name the Red grapes in Argentina?

Answer 23

1. Malbec ( Argentina Flagship Red grape)
   2.Bonarda ( Second most planted red )
2. Cabernet Sauvignon
3. Syrah
4. Merlot
5. Tempranillo
6. Pinot Noir
7. Cabernet Franc
8. Nebbiolo
9. Garnacha
10. Corvina
11. Petit Verdot
12. Ancellota
13. Barbera
14. Touriga Nacional
15. Mourvedre
16. Trousseau
17. Cordisco ( Montepulciano )
18. Aglianico

Question 24

What is the difference between Malbec in Argentina and Malbec in Cahors?

Question 25

What is Origine of Bonarda in Argentina?

Answer 25

This Bonarda is different from Northern Italian Bonarda.
Recent DNA study indentified it as:
-Savoie’s Corbeau aka Charbono in U.S.

Question 26

What is Bonards confusingly called in San Juan?

Answer 26

Barbera Bonarda

Question 27

Name the Argentina white grapes?

Answer 27

1. Pedro Gimenez ( Most planted white )
2. Torontes ( Second most planted white )
3. Chardonnay
4. Chenin Blanc

Question 28

Name the Argentina pink-sking grapes?

Answer 28

1. They occupy around 30% of wines planted in Argentina.
2. Cereza
3. Criolla Grande
4. Criolla Chica

Question 29

Pedro Gimenez is it same as Ximenez and what is a use of this grape?

Answer 29

Pedro Gimenez is unrelated to Spain Pedro Ximenez.
From this grape is mainly produced Bulk wines and Grape Concentrate.

Question 30

Mendoza Chardonnay Clone where is developed and about popularity and proning?

Answer 30

It was developed at Davis University at North California.
It become popoulat even thou it’s prone at milerandage so the result is grapes have grater skin-juice ratio.

Question 31

Name Torontes is applied to 3 diferent grape varietals?

Answer 31

1. Torrontés Riojano
2. Torrontes Sanjuanino
3. Torrontes Mendocino

Question 32

What are the parent grapes of Torrontés Riojano?

Answer 32

Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria

Question 33

Torrontes Riojano and Torrontes Sanjuanino are crossings of what grapes? Which is higher quality?

Answer 33

Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria
Higher quality is Torrontes Riojano

Question 34

What is Argentina Avarage National Elevation?

Answer 34

Vineyards are located at foothills so its around 900m above sea level.