Ch. 29 – Argentina Flashcards

1
Q

Argentina history

A

1550 Spanish settlers

1816 independence from Spain - Attracting European immigrants, bringing winemaking traditions

1851 - Viticulture research centre and school established

New wave of immigrants from Europe after Phylloxera early 1900

20th isolation from the rest of world. High domestic consumption sustained the industry.
- planting high yielding varieties - Cereza, Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica, Pedro Gimenez

Nicolas Catena - started to export and raise quality with help of foreign investment

Wine consultants - Michel Rolland, Alberto Antonini, Paul Hobbs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Climate in Argentina

A

24-38’S

Influence of altitude and latitude

  • most vineyards in foothills of Andes (lowest at 500m)
  • most vineyards are planted on flat or gently sloping sites

Wide diurnal range (sometimes 20°)

  • cooler nights extend growing season
  • allow retain acidity
  • intense sunlight at low latitude (higher tannins and colour)

Continental climate mainly

Rain shadow of Andes

  • irrigation is essential
  • low disease pressure

Often strong wind

  • such as Zonda - hot, dry, powerful
  • increased water stress and lower disease pressure
  • trees planted as wind break

Hail is constant threat
- vineyards in different areas to spread the risk

Frost is significant in Mendoza

El Nino influence
- brings hailstorms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Soils

A

Mostly alluvial soils, larger stones with calcareous deposits (higher altitudes)

Middle slopes - gravel sand silt

Lower areas - richer loamy-clay

Poor soils in higher altitudes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Vineyard management

A

Vine pull scheme was introduced in 1980s

30% of vineyards are 40years old or more

Irrigation is essential

Rivers deliver melt water from Andes - collected by dams and irrigation channels

Flood irrigation is common (cheap to operate, local growers believe it to be optimal for free-draining soils)
- drip irrigation is incresing on slopes
(as water shortages can be problem)
- leveling irrigation - larger amounts of water in winter, smaller in summer (roots grow deep, vine focuses on fruit)

Training in high pergola traditionally (localy Parral)

  • providing shade and raising from hot soil
  • still widely used (VSP is becoming common)

Phylloxera is present but not causing significant problems - vines are usually ungrafted
- choice of rootstock is becoming common for its benefits

Little need for spraying against fungus (ideal for organic)

Mechanical harvest is becoming more common now

Modernization

  • canopy management
  • clonal selection
  • picking at different ripeness
  • soil types
  • single vineyard wines
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Type of irrigation

A

Flood irrigation is common (cheap to operate, local growers believe it to be optimal for free-draining soils)

  • drip irrigation is incresing on slopes
    (as water shortages can be problem)
  • leveling irrigation - larger amounts of water in winter, smaller in summer (roots grow deep, vine focuses on fruit)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Traditional training method

A

Training in high pergola traditionally (localy Parral)

  • providing shade and raising from hot soil
  • still widely used (VSP is becoming common)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Modernization in vineyards

A

By Nicolas Catena and Aldo Biondolillo

  • canopy management
  • clonal selection
  • picking at different ripeness
  • soil types
  • single vineyard wines
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Traditional local grape varieties (pink skinned)

A

Cereza

Criolla Grande

Criolla Chica (Pais in Chile)

now about 25% of production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Key black grape varieties

A
Malbec
Bonarda
Cabernet Sauvgnon
Syrah
Tempranillo
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot
Tannat
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Key white grape varieties

A
Pedro Gimenez (not the same as Ximenez)
Torrontes
Chardonnay
Semillon
Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Malbec

A

20% of all plantings

vigorous, mid-ripening grape

Deep coloured, full-body, high levels of soft tannins, high alcohol, ripe flavours of blackberry and black plum

Can produce wide range of wine styles

Also used in blends - Bordeaux varieties, Bonarda, Syrah

Incrasing understanding of microclimates

Rose also produced

Cuttings of Malbec from France (further developed by clonal and massale selection)

  • Argentinian malbec has smaller berries and bunches
  • softer tannins
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Bonarda

A

late-ripening

Mainly planted in San Juan and warmer areas of Mendoza

High-yielding, inexpensive wines for domestic market

Deep colour, red and black fruit, med+ acidity, med tannin and alcohol
Oak can overwhelm it

blending partner for fruit and colour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon

A

Careful site selection is important

susceptible to fungal diseases

Typically blended with Malbec

Usually does not have herbaceous character
High ripe tannins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Syrah

A

successful in hotter areas of Mendoza and San Juan

Full bodied, high alcohol, ripe black fruit

elegant fresher wines in cooler areas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Red winemaking

A

Influenced by Spanish, French and Italian immigrants

Traditionally fermented and aged in large oak barrels sometimes with hint of oxidation

Modernization

  • later harvesting
  • temperature control
  • maturation in new oak (typically French)

New wave

  • less oak
  • earlier harvest
  • experimenting with natural ferment
  • whole berry ferment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Producers:

A

Catena Zapata

Vina Cobos

Achaval Ferrer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Pedro Gimenez

A

neutral variety

mainly for domestic consumption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Torrontes

A

Torrontes Riojano

Cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica

Strong floral aroma reminiscent of Muscat

Vigorous high-yielding, early ripening
(if over-ripes lacks acidity and has high alcohol with bitter finish)

Successful in Cafayate (Salta) and Uco Valley

Intended to be drunk young

Some producers use some oak, usually single varietal

Late harvest also produced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Chardonnay

A

full range of styles

Premium from Uco Valley - med+ (high) acidity, ripe stone fruit and tropical. Spice from oak ageing

20
Q

Wine law

Geographical indications

A

three-tier system

IP (indicacion de Procedecia) - large areas

IG (or GI - Indicacion Geografica) - meet certain quality from specific areas (mostly political divisions)

DOC - from specific areas with legislated winemaking criteria
- only two - Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael (both Mendoza)

Region - Province - Sub-region - Department - District - GI inside district

21
Q

Wine regulations - labelling terms

A

Label with GI or DOC must be exclusively from grapes from that area

If vintage is mentioned min 85% comes from that vintage

Single variety - min 85% of that variety

2 or more varieties - together min 85%

Reserva

  • min 12 months of ageing for reds
  • min 6 months of agein for white and rose

Gran Reserva twice as much

22
Q

Reserva and Gran Reserva

A

Reserva

  • min 12 months of ageing for reds
  • min 6 months of agein for white and rose

Gran Reserva twice as much

23
Q

Divisions in Mendoza Province

A

Northern Mendoza

Eastern Mendoza

Central Mendoza ‘Primera Zona’

  • Luyan de Cuyo (department)
  • Maipu (department)

Uco Valley

  • Tupungato
    • – district Gualtallary
  • Tunuyan
  • San Carlos
    - – GI Paraje Altamira

Southern Mendoza
- San Rafael (department)

24
Q

Mendoza province general

A

Largest producing province of Argentina - 75%

in the valley of river Mendoza at the base of Andes (and extenting up)
500-1500m

Dominated by Malbec (1/3 of plantings)

Both of Argentina’s DOC are here

25
Northern and Eastern Mendoza
on plains of Mendoza river valley Relatively low 500-700m Water from Mendoza and Tunuyan River - large volumes of inexpensive win Some quality wines from old Bonarda and Tempranillo
26
Central Mendoza
'Prima Zona' - high quality wine - leading producers Between 600 and 1.100m Possibility to ripen large variety of grapes. Malbec dominant, then Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo most prestigious departments: Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu
27
Lujan de Cuyo
Department of Central Mendoza between 900-1100m famous for old Malbec wines DOC Lujan de Cuyo - must be aged for 24 months with at least 12 months in oak - typically only for Malbec District level GI within GI Lujan de Cuyo - Las Compuertas - highest vineyards, fruity full bodied Malbec or Bordeaux varieties, med+ acidity, firm tannins, great potential for ageing (also premium Chardonnay and SB) - Agrelo - lower clay soils - riper reds, structural for ageing (fruity full bodied whites - Semillon)
28
Prestigious districts in Lujan de Cuyo
Las Compuertas - highest vineyards, fruity full bodied Malbec or Bordeaux varieties, med+ acidity, firm tannins, great potential for ageing (also premium Chardonnay and SB) Agrelo - lower clay soils - riper reds, structural for ageing (fruity full bodied whites - Semillon)
29
Maipu
Department of Central Mendoza vineyards are lower (around 600-900m) warmer sites, many old vines Intense, fruity, full bodied, high alcohol, softer tannins (lowest warmest sites produce inexpensive wine) High quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Tempranillo, Syrah
30
Uco Valley
Highest vineyards in Mendoza 850-1500m Cooler temperatures and higher diurnal range - slower sugar accumulation, retention of acidity and fresh fruit, deep colour, ripe tannins Dominated by Malbec (also claim for high quality whites) GI Valle de Uco has 3 deparments (all GIs) - Tupungato - Tunuyan - San Carlos
31
Tupungato
Department of Uco Valley (Mendoza Province) Highest of the 3 departments (at foot of Tupungato volcano) Fresh full bodied Malbecs, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir Crisp elegant Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc Gualtallary (district) - 1100-1600m narrow strip - limestone - High quality Malbec (ligher body, higher acidity, herbal) - also blends of Malbec and Cabernet Franc
32
Tunuyan
Department of Uco Valley (Mendoza Province) wider range of altitudes. Higher sites for Pinot Noir and white wines Lower for fruity, structured reds
33
San Carlos
Department of Uco Valley (Mendoza Province) Recognised for old vines - Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Gi Paraje Altamira - on alluvial fan - intense full bodied Malbec with acidity and structure to age
34
Recognised district in Tupungato for Malbec
Gualtallary - 1100-1600m narrow strip - limestone - High quality Malbec (ligher body, higher acidity, herbal)
35
Southern Mendoza
Vineyards mainly in San Rafael GI (department) (smaller area is also DOC) 450-850m More south - summers are cooler and longer - slower sugar accumulation and good acidity Prone to summer hailstorms Does not have the same raputation (used in blends) Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Bonarda Signature grape - Chenin Blanc
36
San Juan Province
600-1500m lower sites, lower diurnal range (inexpensive wines - pink varieties) Developing better quality wines from Malbec, Bondarda and Syrah GI Pedernal Valley (higher diurnal range - fresher)
37
La Rioja Province
mainly high volume wine Torrontes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah La Riojana co-op labelled 'La Rioja Argentina'
38
Important co-op in La Rioja
La Riojana
39
Salta Province
Attracting foreign investment along Calchaqui River (irrigation source for dessert like conditions) 24-26'S (low latitude, high altitude 1.500-3.000m) ``` Intense sunlight (high levels of anthocyanins and tannin) Mountains provide some shade during the day ``` Strong Zonda winds blow down from mountains - thicker skins, lower yields wide diurnal range - highly concentrated, full-bodied wines with extreme fragrance and freshness Dominant grape - Malbec (distinctive herbal and floral lift) Other: Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tannat White: Torrontes (GI Cafayate) aromatic, unoaked
40
GI for Torrontes in Salta
Cafayate aromatic, unoaked style
41
Patagonia Region
38-39'S highest only 400m Relatively low temperatures due to higher latitude - less intense sunlight, longer growing season - low rain fall (200mm) irrigation essential High quality wines from Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Semillon, Chardonnay, Riesling Malbec still dominant - floral character Constant winds from Andes (wind breakers) 2 main provinces - Rio Negro (old vines - Semillon, Pinot Noir, Malbec, elegant well balanced) - Neuquen (warmer - riper styles - Malbec, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc)
42
Provinces of Patagonia region
Rio Negro Neuquen
43
Wine business
6th largest producing country Vintage variations (El Nino) Export markets: USA, UK, Canada, Brazil, Netherlands MERCOSUR latin american free trade agreement Boom in 2000 (weak peso) - inexpensive but good quality Rise of inflation - higher production costs Government restrictions on foreign ownership of land - slowing down foreign investment (lifted in 2016) 60% Malbec exports Malbec World Day (organised by Wines of Argentina) COVIAR organisation 'stragegy 2020' to promote Argentinian wine Export is only 20%, domestic consumption is very strong Average winery size is relatively small Bodega Catena Zapata, Familia Zuccardi FeCoViTa, Grupo Penaflor
44
Name of Latin American free trade agreement
MERCOSUR
45
Argentinian collective of co-operatives
FeCoViTA