Ch 17: South America - Argentina Flashcards
Mountain range which also forms the border with Chile, creates a formidable barrier to the prevailing westerly winds and results in a significant rain shadow that keeps western Argentina very dry
Andes mountains
The climate in the Argentine wine regions is?
Continental
The light red/pink-skinned grapes of Argentina
Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica, and Cereza
Original vines as known as
País or Mission grapes
Argentina is best known for which two key grape varieties
Malbec and Torrontés
Torrontés has recently been determined to be at least three distinct varieties:
Torrontés Mendocino, Torrontés Riojano, and Torrontés Sanjuanino
By far the most widely grown Torrontés variety
Torrontés Riojano
Aside from Malbec, what are the three leading red grapes
Bonarda Argentina (recently proven to be genetically identical to the grape known as Douce Noire in France and Charbono in California), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah
Aside from Torrontés, what are the five leading white grapes
Chardonnay, Moscatel de Alejandria, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Viognier
The three-level appellations
Denominación de origen controlada (DOC), the highest level
Indicación geográfica (IG), for quality wines below the DOC level
Indicación de procedencia (IP), for table wines and regional wines
What are the only two DOC regions of Argentina
Luján de Cuyo and San Rafael
The wine industry regulated by what regulating body?
Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV)
Vino finos account for about what percentage of all wine produced in Argentina
20%
Reserva wines must have been aged a minimum of how many months for white wines and how many months for reds
6 months for white wines; 1 year for red wines
The Gran Reserva designation requires a minimum aging period of how many years for whites wines and how many years for red wines
1 year for white wines; 2 years for reds
Wine region where Moya Vineyard (recently named the highest vineyard in Argentina) is located
Jujuy
Subregion in Salta home to majority of the region’s vineyards
Cafayate
Cafayate is known for what grapes?
Torrontés Riojano in addition to Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon
Altura Máxima vineyard is found in what subregion of Salta?
Molinos of Salta
This wine area’s vines are located primarily in Calchaquí Valley
Tucumán
This region is tucked in the Andes mountains and contains some of the highest-elevation vineyards in the world
Jujuy
Region known for its high-elevation vineyards, which range from 5,000 to 10,200 feet (1,530 to 3,110 m) above sea level
Salta
Region where Torrontés Riojano is the leading export variety
Catamarca
Region where majority of the vineyards are planted in the Famatina Valleys, located to either side of the Famatina mountain range
La RIoja
This subregion contains the eastern-most vineyards in the country, some of which are planted just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean
Chapadmalal GI (in Buenos Aires region)
The southernmost wine-producing province in Argentina
Chubut
Region with some of the lowest elevation vineyards in Argentina
Río Negro
Region located in center of the country
La Pampa
Red grape varieties of Neuquén
Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Pinot Noir
White grape varieties of Neuquén
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Region with a long history of viticulture and wine production
Córdoba
Leading grapes of Córdoba
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Malbec
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Region with typically windy and dry climate
Neuquén
Both of Argentina’s Denominación de Origen Controlada (DOC) wines are located in what region?
Mendoza
Second largest grape-producing province in the country (after Mendoza)
San Juan
Mendoza accounts for nearly what percentage of Argentina’s vineyard average
75%
Leading white grapes of Mendoza
Chardonnay
Torrontés Riojano
Sauvignon Blanc
Leading red grapes of Mendoza
Malbec
Bonarda
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Tempranillo
The 5 subregions of Mendoza
Uco Valley
Primera Zona
North Oasis
East Mendoza
South Mendoza
The majority of plantings in Tucumán are these three grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Torrontés Riojano
