D4.C19. Argentina

Question 1

When did sparkling wine production start in Argentina?

Answer 1

In 1959 from Moët & Chandon’s decision to base its first overseas subsidiary in Mendoza

Question 2

How did the trend for sparkling wine production change in recent years

Answer 2

Overall production of sparkling wine in the country remained limited until recent years, since when there has been a rapid increase in production as other producers have entered the field

Question 3

Which methods are used to produce sparkling wines in Argentina?

Answer 3

• Tank (mostly)
• Carbonation
• Traditional

Question 4

What is the approximate number of wineries that are producing sparkling wines in Argentina?

Answer 4

160 wineries

Question 5

Where are most of the wineries that are producing sparkling wines in Argentina located?

Answer 5

Majority in Mendoza and a few in Neuquén, Rio Negro and San Juan

Question 6

Tasting notes for a tank method sparkling wine from Argentina?

Answer 6

Fruity and off-dry to medium-dry

Question 7

What is the quality range for tank method sparkling wines of Argentina?

Answer 7

Acceptable to good quality

Question 8

Which grape varieties are used for the traditional method sparkling wines in Argentina?

Answer 8

• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir

Question 9

Tasting notes for a traditional method sparkling wine from Argentina?

Answer 9

• Ripe apple and lemon fruit
• Light autolytic notes
• Made in a Brut style

Question 10

What is the quality/price range for traditional method sparkling wines of Argentina?

Answer 10

• Good to very good in quality
• Mostly inexpensive, but some wines are mid- to premium-priced

Question 11

Where are the grapes sourced for
a. Inexpensive carbonated or tank method
b. Higher quality
sparkling wines in Argentina?

Answer 11

a. Warm parts of Mendoza
b. Sub-regions such as Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley

Question 12

Which properties of the regions make them ideal for the production of sparkling wines in Argentina?

Answer 12

• Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley: High altitude
• Neuquén and Rio Negro in Patagonia: Southerly latitude and high diurnal range (due to continentality)

Question 13

Why is blending wines from different vineyard sites with slight differences in climate is often necessary for producing sparkling wines in Argentina?

Answer 13

To achieve a suitable base wine for sparkling wines

Question 14

Do most of the wineries producing sparkling wines in Argentina produce or outsource the grapes?

Answer 14

Some wineries have their own vineyards, but many also rely on independent grape growers that sell their grapes

Question 15

Which grape varieties are used to produce sparkling wines in Argentina?

Answer 15

• Pedro Giménes (predominant but decline over 10 years)
• Chardonnay (increase more than 30% in this century)
• Pinot Noir (increase nearly 80% in this century)

Question 16

What are the main viticultural hazards in Argentina?

Answer 16

• Hail
• Spring frost
• Nematodes

Question 17

Why is relatively little spraying is required against fungal diseases in Argentina?

Answer 17

Due to the dry climate

Question 18

What are the properties of sparkling wines that are made with carbonation in Argentina?

Answer 18

• Inexpensive
• Made from Pedro Gimenés, Chenin Blanc and Semillion
• Carbonation is also used to produce sparkling wines with additional fruit flavourings, typically strawberry

Question 19

What are the properties of sparkling wines that are made with tank method in Argentina?

Answer 19

• It is used for mid-priced products
• Made with a wide range of varieties, including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Question 20

What are the properties of sparkling wines that are made with traditional method in Argentina?

Answer 20

• Mid-priced to premium wines
• Made from grapes sourced from the best sites
• Typically planted with Chardonnay and/or
  Pinot Noir
• Can be vintage or non-vintage
• Vast majority spend at least 12 months on the lees

Question 21

Tasting notes for a traditional method sparkling wine from Argentina

Answer 21

• Ripe apple and lemon fruit
• Autolytic aromas
• Medium to medium (+) acidity
• Medium to medium (+) body
• Medium alcohol
• Great majority are white

Question 22

How are the super-premium sparkling wines are produced in Argentina?

Answer 22

• Made with the selection of the best fruit
• Made with slightly longer time on lees than
  other traditional method wines (e.g. 18 months)

Question 23

What is the reason for the big boost for sparkling wine sector in the decade after 2005 in Argentina?

Answer 23

Removal of a domestic tax of 12% on sales in return for investment in sparkling wine by the industry by the national wine trade body

Question 24

What is the percentage of domestic consumption for Argentinean sparkling wine?

Answer 24

The domestic market consumes virtually all Argentinian sparkling wine

Question 25

What is the most popular style of sparkling wine in Argentina?

Answer 25

Most popular style is Seco (64 per cent), which in Argentina means less than 11g/L (equivalent to the upper end of Brut in the EU)

Question 26

What are the leading companies producing sparkling wines?

Answer 26

• Moët Hennessy (includes Chandon and ‘Baron B’ brands)
• Llorente
• Mumm (part of Pernod Richard)
• Norton

Question 27

What are the large European companies that have invested in Argentina to produce still and sparkling wines for the South
American market?

Answer 27

• Freixenet
• Sogrape (Finca Flichman)