C37 - Argentina - completed Flashcards
Describe the general locations of most of Argentina’s vineyards
They lie close to the Andes in a series of irrigated oases in what is otherwise desert
Over what range are the vineyards of Argentina spread?
More than 1500km
Between where and where are the vineyards of Argentina spread?
From Salta in the north to Río Negro and Neuquén in the Patagonia
Describe altitude in Argentina’s vineyards
What are the notable exceptions?
- Most vineyards lie 600m or above sea level
- With the exception of Río Negro and Neuquén
Where is Salta?
Close to the town of Cafayate in the far north of Argentina
Where are the highest vineyards in Argentina? How high are they?
- Salta
- They regularly extend to 2000m or more
What is it about Argentina’s high vineyards that makes the country unique?
It allows for suitably cool sites to be found close to the Equator
How were Argentinian vineyards historically planted? Why?
- In the Pergola system
- Due to the heat
What is the pergola system known as in Argentina?
Parral
Why was the pergola system needed in the heat of Argentina?
- Lifted grapes away from searing heat close to the ground
- Provided shade for the grapes as they hung beneath the leaf canopy
For which grape in Argentina is parral still commonly used?
Torrontés
How are many black grapes NOW grown in Argentina?
- Using vertical trellises (though the canopies still need to shade the fruit from the intense fruit)
What is rainfall like in Argentina?
Extremely low (in the rain shadow of the Andes)
How is drought commonly treated in the vineyards of Argentina?
Traditionally, flood irrigation was widespread, but drip irrigation is more common in newer vineyards now
Where does water for irrigation come from in Argentina?
- Rivers flowing down from mountains
- Subterranean aquifers
Describe and explain irrigation in Argentina
Flood irrigation was widespread, but drip irrigation is more common in newer vineyards as it uses scarce water more efficiently
Besides drought, which other seasonal problems are a threat in Argentina?
- Spring Frosts
- Summer hail
Of seasonal problems in Argentina, which is the biggest threat/problem?
Summer hail
Where in Argentina is summer hail the biggest problem?
Mendoza
How do most producers in Mendoza deal with the threat of summer hail? What is the disadvantage of this?
- They use netting to protect their vines
- Expensive
What is the traditional method of risk management for grape-growers in Argentina? Why will this remain in practice?
- To own vineyards in several different areas
- It brings considerable advantages at the blending stage
To which viticultural problems is Argentina generally not susceptible? Why?
- Rot or mildew
- The dry climate
What is Argentina’s role in ethical winemaking?
It’s an important producer of organically grown grapes
What is the flagship grape variety of Argentina?
Malbec
How significant is Malbec in Argentina?
It has the largest plantings of the grape worldwide
Describe the overall style of Malbec in Argentina
- Full-bodied
- Deeply coloured
- Black fruit
- High levels of smooth tannins
What is the new style of Malbec in Argentina? How is it produced?
- More elegant
- Using gentler methods of extraction
What is the role of oak in Argentinian Malbec?
It is used for most high-quality Malbec in Argentina
What is the effect of oak in Argentina’s premium Malbecs?
It lends subtle, spicy flavours
Where is Malbec grown in Argentina? What is the result on the flavour?
- It has been grown in every wine-producing area of Argentina
- Regional differences can be noticed in the wines
Describe the differences which can be noticed in Malbec based on where it’s grown in Argentina
- 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
How may Malbec be used in blended wines?
It can play a leading role in some premium blends
With which varieties is Malbec most commonly blended?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc and/or Petit Verdot
What is the second most planted variety in Argentina?
Bonarda
Describe Bonarda’s general characteristics
- Late ripening
- Deeply coloured
- High acidity
- High tannins
Describe the two major styles of Bonarda in Argentina
- 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
Where is Bonarda mainly grown?
Argentina, in Mendoza and San Juan
Besides Malbec and Bonarda, which other black varieties are widely planted?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Merlot
- Smaller volumes of Tempranillo and Pinot Noir
What traits do premium reds of Argentina tend to share in common?
Concentrated ripe fruit flavours, usually with toasty notes from oak
What is often seen as Argentina’s signature white variety?
Torrontés
Where is Torrontés widely planted?
Argentina:
- Salta
- La Rioja
- San Juan
- Mendoza
Where do many of the best examples of Torrontés come from in Argentina?
High-altitude vineyards in the Cafayate region of Salta Province
Describe the profile of Torrontés in Argentina?
- Medium body
- Medium acidity
- Intense, fruity, floral perfume
- Flavours of stone fruits and melon
How is Torrontés vinified? Why?
- 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
Besides Torrontés, which other grape variety is widely planted?
Chardonnay
What style is Chardonnay made into in Argentina?
- A range of styles
- Premium wines are matured in oak, a portion of which is often new
Besides Torrontés and Chardonnay, which other white varieties are also grown in Argentina?
Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier
What is the white variety with the greatest plantings
Pedro Gimenez
Describe wines made from Pedro Gimenez in Argentina
- Traditional and low-quality
- Used in cheap wines for the domestic market
- Now in decline
Which is the only of Argentina’s three broad wine regions which is widely seen on labels?
Patagonia
What are the smaller subdivisions of Argentina, in decreasing size order?
Provinces
Departments
Where is Salta Province?
- Close to the border of Bolivia
- Most northerly of vineyard areas in Argentina
What is the most notable feature of vineyards in Salta province?
It’s home to some of the highest vineyards in the world
Some are over 3000m asl
What is the result of Salta’s extreme climate on wines?
Produces wines of great purity and concentration
What is the dominant grape of Salta Province in Argentina?
Torrontés
What is Torrontés wine like in Salta Province?
Highly aromatic
Where are Torrontés wines especially aromatic in Salta Province?
Cafayate region
Explain the business of wine in Cafayate
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
What are the dominant black varieties planted in Cafayate?
Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the key statistic related to La Rioja and its role in Argentinian winemaking?
It has the third largest area of production in Argentina
What is the name of the main vineyard area in La Rioja?
Famatina Valley
Describe Famatina Valley
Large volumes of grapes can be grown here on the irrigated valley floors
What is a speciality of the Famatina Valley?
Torrontés
What are the most planted black varieties of Famatina Valley, La Rioja?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Bonarda
How are the exported wines of Famatina generally labelled? Why?
- Famatina
- To avoid confusion with Rioja in Spain, ‘La Rioja’ is avoided on the label
What is Argentina’s second most important wine region?
San Juan
Describe the vineyards of San Juan Province
They are located at approximately 450 to 1400 metres above sea level (similar altitude range to Mendoza)
What is the province of San Juan particularly noted for?
The quality of its Syrah
Other than Syrah, which other grapes flourish in San Juan?
- Red: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda
- White: Chardonnay and Viognier
Which province dominates winemaking in Argentina?
Mendoza
Describe the vineyards of Mendoza
- They are planted in desert conditions
- Protected from rain by Andes to the west
- and the Argentine Pampas to the east
How can Mendoza be further sub-divided?
Into five divisions:
- Northern
- Eastern
- Central
- Uco Valley
- Southern
How are the wines from Mendoza’s different divisions generally used?
They are often blended to take advantage of fruit from different climates
Where in Mendoza is the focus on high-volume, inexpensive wine?
Northern and Eastern Mendoza
Why are Northern and Eastern Mendoza suited to high-volume, inexpensive wines?
The Mendoza River flows through these areas, providing irrigation water, making growing large quantities of grapes possible
Which area of Mendoza has the longest history of creating high quality wines?
Central Mendoza
Where are many of the most famous producers based in Argentina?
Central Mendoza
Which department in particular in Central Mendoza has a high reputation? What for?
- Luján de Cuyo
- Very fine Malbec
Describe the positioning of Luján de Cuyo
- At around 900 to 1100 metres in altitude
- Foothills of the Andes
- South-west of Mendoza City
Besides altitude, what else particularly contributes to the very fine quality of Malbec in Luján de Cuyo?
Very old vines
What do the old vines and grapes of Luján de Cuyo contribute to blends?
Much of the soft, round and sweet spice
Which department lies to the east of Luján de Cuyo?
The Maipú department
Describe how the vineyards of Maipú differ from those of Luján de Cuyo
They are at lower altitudes
Which grapes perform particularly well in Maipú?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
Describe what’s produced in the eastern, lower part of Maipú?
Much of the area’s high volume, inexpensive wine for domestic and export markets
Besides high-volume, inexpensive wine, what else does the lower, eastern part of Maipú create?
It’s a valuable source of old-vine Bonarda and Tempranillo
Which region lies to the south-west of Mendoza?
The Uco Valley
What is the Uco Valley a good source of?
High quality fruit
Describe the vineyards of Uco Valley
They lie at 900 to 1500 metres
Where are the highest vineyards in Mendoza?
Uco Valley
What is the effect of climate on the grapes of Uco Valley?
- Cool nights help to retain fresh fruit flavours and acidity
- The wines sometimes also display floral notes as a result
Which grapes flourish in Uco Valley?
Red:
- Malbec
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Tempranillo
White:
- Torrontés
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Which ‘other’ grape can flourish in Uco Valley? Why?
- Pinot Noir
- Some sites are cool enough
Where is Tupungato? Describe it. What is it known for?
- Uco Valley
- A high altitude area to the west of the region
- The quality of its wines
What is notable about Southern Mendoza?
It’s home to the San Rafael department
Describe the San Rafael department of Southern Mendoza
- Compared with much of Mendoza it has a low altitude
- Southerly location makes it one of the coolest areas in Mendoza
What is the reputation of San Rafael department in Southern Mendoza?
It has the country’s most significant plantings of Chenin Blanc
What is the most southerly region of Argentina? What is the result?
- Patagonia Region
- It’s Argentina’s coolest region due to latitude
Which notable provinces are found in Patagonia?
- Río Negro Province
- Neuquén Province
What is the role of altitude in Patagonia Region?
Vineyards here are relatively low, at 200 to 250 metres
What is the notable challenge for grape-growers in Patagonia?
Strong desert winds
Why do vines benefit from a low incidence of disease in Patagonia?
- Low rainfall
- Wide diurnal range
What are the growing conditions like in Patagonia and what effect does this have on wines?
- Long daylight hours and cool nights
- Provides wines with concentrated, but fresh fruit flavours and medium to high acidity
Which grapes are capable of making premium wines in Río Negro?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Noir
- Malbec
- Merlot
What kind of wine is Neuquén best for?
Its full potential is still being explored
