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WSET 3 (2nd Edition) > Chap 37: Argentina > Flashcards

Chap 37: Argentina Flashcards

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 the altitude of the majority of Argentina’s vineyards.
What are the notable exceptions?

A

Most vineyards lie 600m or more above sea level

Exceptions are the vineyards in 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 heat)

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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 (which uses scarce water more effectively)

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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

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

A

Spring Frosts = occasional problem
Summer hail = regular hazard

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17
Q

Where in Argentina is summer hail the biggest problem?

A

Mendoza

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18
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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19
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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20
Q

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

A

Rot or mildew, due to the dry climate

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21
Q

What is Argentina’s role in ethical winemaking?

A

It’s an important producer of organically grown grapes

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22
Q

What is the flagship grape variety of Argentina?

A

Malbec

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23
Q

How significant is Malbec in Argentina?

A

It has the largest plantings of the grape worldwide

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24
Q

Describe the overall style of Malbec in Argentina (body, color, flavor, tannin)

A

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

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25
What is the new style of Malbec in Argentina? How is it produced?
More elegant style, produced by using gentler methods of extraction
26
What is the role of oak in Argentinian Malbec?
It is used for most high-quality Malbecs in Argentina
27
What is the effect of oak in Argentina's premium Malbecs?
It lends subtle, spicy flavours
28
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
29
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
30
How may Malbec be used in blended wines?
It can play a leading role in some premium blends
31
With which varieties is Malbec most commonly blended?
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc and/or Petit Verdot
32
What is the second most planted variety in Argentina?
Bonarda
33
Describe Bonarda's general characteristics
Late ripening Deeply coloured High acidity High tannins
34
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
35
Where is Bonarda mainly grown?
Argentina, in Mendoza and San Juan
36
Besides Malbec and Bonarda, which other black varieties are widely planted?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot | Smaller volumes of Tempranillo and Pinot Noir
37
What traits do premium reds of Argentina tend to share in common?
Concentrated ripe fruit flavours, usually with toasty notes from oak
38
What is often seen as Argentina's signature white variety?
Torrontés
39
Where is Torrontés widely planted?
In Argentina, in Salta, La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza
40
Where do many of the best examples of Torrontés come from in Argentina?
High-altitude vineyards in the Cafayate department of Salta Province
41
Describe the profile of Torrontés in Argentina? (body, acidity, aromas & flavors)
Medium body Medium acidity Intense, fruity, floral perfume Flavours of stone fruits and melon
42
How is Torrontés vinified? Why?
Vines are usually fermented in inert, temperature-controlled vessels and released from the winery in the year of harvest This is done to realise its full potential as an aromatic grape variety
43
Besides Torrontés, which other grape variety is widely planted?
Chardonnay
44
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
45
Besides Torrontés and Chardonnay, which other white varieties are also grown in Argentina?
Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier
46
What is the white variety with the greatest plantings
Pedro Gimenez
47
Describe wines made from Pedro Gimenez in Argentina
Traditional and low-quality Used in cheap wines for the domestic market Now in decline
48
How does flood irrigation work in Argentina?
A complex series of channels and sluice gates are used to manage the water used for flood irrigation. Deep furrows are ploughed between rows of vines to channel the flood waters.
49
As part of Argentina's GI system, the vineyard area is split into how many broad regions?
3
50
Which is the only of Argentina's three broad wine regions which is widely seen on labels?
Patagonia
51
How are the regions organized from largest unit to smallest unit in Argentinas GI system?
3 broad **regions** which are then split into a # or **provinces** which in turn contain a number of more specific **departments**. In some cases, some departments may include a # of smaller **districts** and there **may even be smaller GIs inside the district. **
52
What is required for a wine to be labelled with a GI in Argentina?
100% of the grapes must have come from within the geographical limits of the GI.
53
Where is Salta Province?
Close to the border of Bolivia & therefore the most northerly of vineyard areas in Argentina
54
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
55
What is the result of Salta's extreme climate on wines?
Produces wines of great purity and concentration
56
What is the dominant grape of Salta Province in Argentina?
Torrontés
57
What is Torrontés wine like in Salta Province?
Highly aromatic
58
Where are Torrontés wines especially aromatic in Salta Province?
Cafayate region
59
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
60
What are the dominant black varieties planted in Cafayate?
Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon
61
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
62
What is the name of the main vineyard area in La Rioja?
Famatina Valley
63
Describe Famatina Valley
Large volumes of grapes can be grown here on the irrigated valley floors
64
What is a speciality of the Famatina Valley?
Torrontés
65
What are the most planted black varieties of Famatina Valley, La Rioja?
Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Bonarda
66
How are the exported wines of Famatina generally labelled? Why?
La Rioja Argentina to avoid confusion with the Rioja region in Spain
67
What is Argentina's second most important wine region?
San Juan
68
Describe the vineyards of San Juan Province
They are located at approximately 450 to 1400 metres above sea level (similar altitude range to Mendoza)
69
What is the province of San Juan particularly noted for?
The quality of its Syrah
70
Other than Syrah, which other grapes flourish in San Juan?
Red: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda
71
What are the most planted white grapes in San Juan?
Torrontes and Chardonnay
72
Which province dominates winemaking in Argentina?
Mendoza - accounts for vast majority of wine produced
73
Describe the vineyards of Mendoza
They are planted in desert conditions, protected from rain by Andes Mts to the west and the Argentine Pampas to the east
74
How can Mendoza be further sub-divided?
``` Into five divisions: Northern Eastern Central Uco Valley Southern ```
75
How are the wines from Mendoza's different divisions generally used?
They are often blended to take advantage of fruit from different climates
76
Where in Mendoza is the focus on high-volume, inexpensive wine?
Northern and Eastern Mendoza
77
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
78
Which area of Mendoza has the longest history of creating high quality wines?
Central Mendoza
79
Where are many of the most famous producers based in Argentina?
Central Mendoza
80
Which department in particular in Central Mendoza has a high reputation? What for?
Luján de Cuyo - Reputation for very fine Malbec
81
Describe the positioning of Luján de Cuyo
At around 900 to 1100 metres in altitude Foothills of the Andes South-west of Mendoza City
82
Besides altitude, what else particularly contributes to the very fine quality of Malbec in Luján de Cuyo?
Notable for very old malbec vines, which help to produce concentrated, complex wines
83
Which department lies to the east of Luján de Cuyo?
The Maipú department
84
Describe how the vineyards of Maipú differ from those of Luján de Cuyo
They are at lower altitudes
85
Which grapes perform particularly well in Maipú?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
86
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, BUT is also a valuable source of old vine Bonarda and Tempranillo.
87
Which region lies to the south-west of Mendoza?
The Uco Valley
88
What is the Uco Valley a good source of?
High quality fruit
89
Describe the vineyards of Uco Valley
They lie at 900 to 1500 metres, making them the highest vineyards in Mendoza
90
What is the effect of climate on the grapes of Uco Valley? What impact can this have on the resulting wines?
Cool nights help to retain fresh fruit flavours and acidity. The wines sometimes also display floral notes as a result.
91
Which grapes flourish in Uco Valley?
Red: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo White: Torrontés, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
92
Which 'other' grape can flourish in Uco Valley? Why?
Pinot Noir as some sites are cool enough
93
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
94
What is notable about Southern Mendoza?
It's home to the San Rafael department
95
Describe the San Rafael department of Southern Mendoza
Compared with much of Mendoza it has a low altitude, but its southerly location makes it one of the coolest areas in Mendoza
96
What is the most southerly region of Argentina?
Patagonia Region
97
Which notable provinces are found in Patagonia?
Río Negro Province & the relatively new Neuquén Province
98
What are the climatic influences in the Patagonia Region? What is the effect on the resulting wines?
Vineyards here are relatively low, at 200 to 250 metres, therefore cooling influence here is not due to alt., but due to latitude. There is low rainfall here and wide diurnal range which means the vines benefit from a low incidence of disease. Long daylight hours and cool nights provide wines with concentrated but fresh fruit flavors and med - high acidity.
99
What is the notable challenge for grape-growers in Patagonia?
Strong desert winds
100
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
101
Which grapes are there significant plantings of in Patagonia?
Malbec Cab Sauv Merlot Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc

WSET 3 (2nd Edition) (39 decks)

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