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Matt's WSET level 3 > C37 - Argentina > Flashcards

C37 - Argentina Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the general locations of most of Argentina’s vineyards

A

They lie close to the Andes in a series of irrigated oases in what is otherwise desert

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2
Q

Over what range are the vineyards of Argentina spread?

A

More than 1500km

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3
Q

Between where and where are the vineyards of Argentina spread?

A

From Salta in the north to Río Negro and Neuquén in the Patagonia

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4
Q

Describe altitude in Argentina’s vineyards

What are the notable exceptions?

A

Most vineyards lie 600m or above sea level

With the exception of Río Negro and Neuquén

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5
Q

Where is Salta?

A

Close to the town of Cafayate in the far north of Argentina

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6
Q

Where are the highest vineyards in Argentina? How high are they?

A

Salta

They regularly extend to 2000m or more

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7
Q

What is it about Argentina’s high vineyards that makes the country unique?

A

It allows for suitably cool sites to be found close to the equator

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8
Q

How were Argentinian vineyards historically planted? Why?

A

In the Pergola system

Due to the heat

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9
Q

What is the pergola system known as in Argentina?

A

Parral

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10
Q

Why was the pergola system needed in the heat of Argentina?

A

Lifted grapes away from searing heat close to the ground

Provided shade for the grapes as they hung beneath the leaf canopy

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11
Q

For which grape in Argentina is parral still commonly used?

A

Torrontés

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12
Q

How are many black grapes NOW grown in Argentina?

A

Using vertical trellises (though the canopies still need to shade the fruit from the intense fruit)

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13
Q

What is rainfall like in Argentina?

A

Extremely low (in the rain shadow of the Andes)

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14
Q

How is drought commonly treated in the vineyards of Argentina?

A

Traditionally, flood irrigation was widespread, but drip irrigation is more common in newer vineyards now

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15
Q

Where does water for irrigation come from in Argentina?

A

Rivers flowing down from mountains

Subterranean aquifers

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16
Q

Describe and explain irrigation in Argentina

A

Flood irrigation was widespread, but drip irrigation is more common in newer vineyards as it uses scarce water more efficiently

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17
Q

Besides drought, which other seasonal problems are a threat in Argentina?

A

Spring Frosts

Summer hail

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18
Q

Of seasonal problems in Argentina, which is the biggest threat/problem?

A

Summer hail

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19
Q

Where in Argentina is summer hail the biggest problem?

A

Mendoza

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20
Q

How do most producers in Mendoza deal with the threat of summer hail? What is the disadvantage of this?

A

They use netting to protect their vines

The expense

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21
Q

What is the traditional method of risk management for grape-growers in Argentina? Why will this remain in practice?

A

To own vineyards in several different areas

It brings considerable advantages at the blending stage

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22
Q

To which viticultural problems is Argentina generally not susceptible? Why?

A

Rot or mildew

The dry climate

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23
Q

What is Argentina’s role in ethical winemaking?

A

It’s an important producer of organically grown grapes

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24
Q

What is the flagship grape variety of Argentina?

A

Malbec

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25
Q

How significant is Malbec in Argentina?

A

It has the largest plantings of the grape worldwide

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26
Q

Describe the overall style of Malbec in Argentina

A

Full-bodied
Deeply coloured
Black fruit
High levels of smooth tannins

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27
Q

What is the new style of Malbec in Argentina? How is it produced?

A

More elegant

Using gentler methods of extraction

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28
Q

What is the role of oak in Argentinian Malbec?

A

It is used for most high-quality Malbecs in Argentina

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29
Q

What is the effect of oak in Argentina’s premium Malbecs?

A

It lends subtle, spicy flavours

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30
Q

Where is Malbec grown in Argentina? What is the result on the flavour?

A

It has been grown in every wine-producing area of Argentina

Regional differences can be noticed in the wines

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31
Q

Describe the differences which can be noticed in Malbec based on where it’s grown in Argentina

A

When made at lower altitude, they’re fuller bodied with richer black fruit
When made at higher altitude, they tend to be more elegant, displaying fresher more floral aromas

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32
Q

How may Malbec be used in blended wines?

A

It can play a leading role in some premium blends

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33
Q

With which varieties is Malbec most commonly blended?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc and/or Petit Verdot

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34
Q

What is the second most planted variety in Argentina?

A

Bonarda

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35
Q

Describe Bonarda’s general characteristics

A

Late ripening
Deeply coloured
High acidity
High tannins

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36
Q

Describe the two major styles of Bonarda in Argentina

A

At high yields: Easy drinking wines, medium to deep colour and fruity raspberry and blackberry aromas
Controlled yields and proper ripening: Greater concentration and structure

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37
Q

Where is Bonarda mainly grown?

A

Argentina, in Mendoza and San Juan

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38
Q

Besides Malbec and Bonarda, which other black varieties are widely planted?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot

Smaller volumes of Tempranillo and Pinot Noir

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39
Q

What traits do premium reds of Argentina tend to share in common?

A

Concentrated ripe fruit flavours, usually with toasty notes from oak

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40
Q

What is often seen as Argentina’s signature white variety?

A

Torrontés

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41
Q

Where is Torrontés widely planted?

A

In Argentina, in Salta, La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza

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42
Q

Where do many of the best examples of Torrontés come from in Argentina?

A

High-altitude vineyards in the Cafayate region of Salta Province

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43
Q

Describe the profile of Torrontés in Argentina?

A

Medium body
Medium acidity
Intense, fruity, floral perfume
Flavours of stone fruits and melon

44
Q

How is Torrontés vinified? Why?

A

Vines are usually fermented in inert, temperature-controlled vessels and released from the winery in the year of harvest
To realise its full potential as an aromatic grape variety

45
Q

Besides Torrontés, which other grape variety is widely planted?

A

Chardonnay

46
Q

What style is Chardonnay made into in Argentina?

A

A range of styles

Premium wines are matured in oak, a portion of which is often new

47
Q

Besides Torrontés and Chardonnay, which other white varieties are also grown in Argentina?

A

Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier

48
Q

What is the white variety with the greatest plantings

A

Pedro Gimenez

49
Q

Describe wines made from Pedro Gimenez in Argentina

A

Traditional and low-quality
Used in cheap wines for the domestic market
Now in decline

50
Q

Describe wines made from Pedro Gimenez in Argentina

A

Traditional and low-quality
Used in cheap wines for the domestic market
Now in decline

51
Q

Which is the only of Argentina’s three broad wine regions which is widely seen on labels?

A

Patagonia

52
Q

What are the smaller subdivisions of Argentina, in decreasing size order?

A

Provinces

Departments

53
Q

Where is Salta Province?

A

Close to the border of Bolivia

Most northerly of vineyard areas in Argentina

54
Q

What is the most notable feature of vineyards in Salta province?

A

It’s home to some of the highest vineyards in the world

Some are over 3000m asl

55
Q

What is the result of Salta’s extreme climate on wines?

A

Produces wines of great purity and concentration

56
Q

What is the dominant grape of Salta Province in Argentina?

A

Torrontés

57
Q

What is Torrontés wine like in Salta Province?

A

Highly aromatic

58
Q

Where are Torrontés wines especially aromatic in Salta Province?

A

Cafayate region

59
Q

Explain the business of wine in Cafayate

A

There has been investment in the region from many of the large wineries based in Mendoza and some major European wine companies for its superior quality of Torrontés

60
Q

What are the dominant black varieties planted in Cafayate?

A

Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon

61
Q

What is the key statistic related to La Rioja and its role in Argentinian winemaking?

A

It has the third largest area of production in Argentina

62
Q

What is the name of the main vineyard area in La Rioja?

A

Famatina Valley

63
Q

Describe Famatina Valley

A

Large volumes of grapes can be grown here on the irrigated valley floors

64
Q

What is a speciality of the Famatina Valley?

A

Torrontés

65
Q

What are the most planted black varieties of Famatina Valley, La Rioja?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Bonarda

66
Q

How are the exported wines of Famatina generally labelled? Why?

A

Famatina

To avoid confusion with Rioja in Spain, ‘La Rioja’ is avoided on the label

67
Q

What is Argentina’s second most important wine region?

A

San Juan

68
Q

Describe the vineyards of San Juan Province

A

They are located at approximately 450 to 1400 metres above sea level (similar altitude range to Mendoza)

69
Q

What is the province of San Juan particularly noted for?

A

The quality of its Syrah

70
Q

Other than Syrah, which other grapes flourish in San Juan?

A

Red: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda
White: Chardonnay and Viognier

71
Q

Which province dominates winemaking in Argentina?

A

Mendoza

72
Q

Describe the vineyards of Mendoza

A

They are planted in desert conditions

Protected from rain by Andes to the west and the Argentine Pampas to the east

73
Q

How can Mendoza be further sub-divided?

A 
Into five divisions:
Northern
Eastern
Central
Uco Valley
Southern
74
Q

How are the wines from Mendoza’s different divisions generally used?

A

They are often blended to take advantage of fruit from different climates

75
Q

Where in Mendoza is the focus on high-volume, inexpensive wine?

A

Northern and Eastern Mendoza

76
Q

Why are Northern and Eastern Mendoza suited to high-volume, inexpensive wines?

A

The Mendoza River flows through these areas, providing irrigation water, making growing large quantities of grapes possible

77
Q

Which area of Mendoza has the longest history of creating high quality wines?

A

Central Mendoza

78
Q

Where are many of the most famous producers based in Argentina?

A

Central Mendoza

79
Q

Which department in particular in Central Mendoza has a high reputation? What for?

A

Luján de Cuyo

Very fine Malbec

80
Q

Describe the positioning of Luján de Cuyo

A

At around 900 to 1100 metres in altitude
Foothills of the Andes
South-west of Mendoza City

81
Q

Besides altitude, what else particularly contributes to the very fine quality of Malbec in Luján de Cuyo?

A

Very old vines

82
Q

What do the old vines and grapes of Luján de Cuyo contribute to blends?

A

Much of the soft, round and sweet spice

83
Q

Which department lies to the east of Luján de Cuyo?

A

The Maipú department

84
Q

Describe how the vineyards of Maipú differ from those of Luján de Cuyo

A

They are at lower altitudes

85
Q

Which grapes perform particularly well in Maipú?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah

86
Q

Describe what’s produced in the eastern, lower part of Maipú?

A

Much of the area’s high volume, inexpensive wine for domestic and export markets

87
Q

Besides high-volume, inexpensive wine, what else does the lower, eastern part of Maipú create?

A

It’s a valuable source of old-vine Bonarda and Tempranillo

88
Q

Which region lies to the south-west of Mendoza?

A

The Uco Valley

89
Q

What is the Uco Valley a good source of?

A

High quality fruit

90
Q

Describe the vineyards of Uco Valley

A

They lie at 900 to 1500 metres

91
Q

Where are the highest vineyards in Mendoza?

A

Uco Valley

92
Q

What is the effect of climate on the grapes of Uco Valley?

A

Cool nights help to retain fresh fruit flavours and acidity

The wines sometimes also display floral notes as a result

93
Q

Which grapes flourish in Uco Valley?

A

Red: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo
White: Torrontés, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

94
Q

Which ‘other’ grape can flourish in Uco Valley? Why?

A

Pinot Noir

Some sites are cool enough

95
Q

Where is Tupungato? Describe it. What is it known for?

A

Uco Valley
A high altitude area to the west of the region
The quality of its wines

96
Q

What is notable about Southern Mendoza?

A

It’s home to the San Rafael department

97
Q

Describe the San Rafael department of Southern Mendoza

A

Compared with much of Mendoza it has a low altitude

Southerly location makes it one of the coolest areas in Mendoza

98
Q

What is the reputation of San Rafael department in Southern Mendoza?

A

It has the country’s most significant plantings of Chenin Blanc

99
Q

What is the most southerly region of Argentina? What is the result?

A

Patagonia Region

It’s Argentina’s coolest region due to latitude

100
Q

Which notable provinces are found in Patagonia?

A

Río Negro Province

Neuquén Province

101
Q

What is the role of altitude in Patagonia Region?

A

Vineyards here are relatively low, at 200 to 250 metres

102
Q

What is the notable challenge for grape-growers in Patagonia?

A

Strong desert winds

103
Q

Why do vines benefit from a low incidence of disease in Patagonia?

A

Low rainfall

Wide diurnal range

104
Q

What are the growing conditions like in Patagonia and what effect does this have on wines?

A

Long daylight hours and cool nights

Provides wines with concentrated, but fresh fruit flavours and medium to high acidity

105
Q

Which grapes are capable of making premium wines in Río Negro?

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Malbec and Merlot

106
Q

What kind of wine is Neuquén best for?

A

Its full potential is still being explored

Matt's WSET level 3 (44 decks)

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