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Argentina > Key Regions (5) > Flashcards

Key Regions (5) Flashcards

1
Q

5 Regions N-S

  1. S Prov (1,900ha) Cafain Calch V
  2. La R (Fam in EU)
  3. SJ
  4. M
    1. N M
    2. U M river reg
      1. LdC - 1st Arg DOC 92
    3. U V Tup
    4. E M
    5. San R (Valentin Biachi)
  5. Neuq + Rio N (Black R)
A

5 regions all along the Andes (from North to South):
1. Salta province (1,900ha) – mainly around Cafayate in Calchaquies valley

  1. La Rioja (Famatina in the EU)
  2. San Juan
  3. Mendoza

Areas:

I. North Mendoza:

II. Upper Mendoza river region:

Luján de Cuyo: 1st Argentinean DOC (92)

III. Uco Valley region (Tupungato)

IV. East Mendoza

V. San Rafael (Valentín Bianchi’s home)

  1. Neuquen & Río Negro (‘black river’)
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2
Q
  1. S Prov (1,900ha) around Cafain in Calch V
  2. Climate + S Sim to Men, ie, All w/clay sub, Top: hi alt 2,000-2,400 hi Diu range
  3. Grapes: T Riojano, Tann, CS

Style: Arom FB dry whites

A
  1. Salta province (1,900ha) – mainly around Cafayate in Calchaquies valley
  2. Climate & soil: similar to Mendoza i.e. alluvial soil with clay substructure Topo: Hi altitude (2,000-2,400m) w large diurnal changes
  3. G. Varieties: Torrontes Riojano; Tannat; Cabernet Sauvignon

Styles: aromatic, full bodied dryish whites

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3
Q

La R (Famatina in EU)

  1. Oldest Reg, Torr Riojano + MdAlex, lack of water, Prod dominated by Co-Op
A

La Rioja (Famatina in the EU)

  1. Oldest wine region; home to Torrontes Riojano and Moscatel de Alexandria; lack of water for irrigation makes wine making marginal. Production dominated by 1 group of co-operative cellars.
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4
Q

SJ

  1. 2nd Largest (47,000ha) = 20% Prod. N of Mend
  2. Hot vs M
  3. Home to Cereza, since 90s more Bon + Syr - now in decline
  4. Known for cheap W from Undef Gr but Penaflor + Santiago Gr = good robust R
  5. Large Prod of sherry-syle, Verm + light wines
A

San Juan

  1. 2nd largest after Mendoza (47,000ha – 20% of all wine production), north of Mendoza.
  2. Climate: hotter vs. Mendoza
  3. Traditional home to Cereza. Since late 1990s, more Bonarda & Syrah; now in decline.
  4. Best known for cheap wine from undefined grapes but wineries like Penaflor & Santiago Graffigna produce good robust reds.
  5. Large producer of sherry style wines, Vermouth as well as light wines
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5
Q

M

  1. 70% 140,000ha
  2. Top: 600-1,100m nr M.Acon / loose, sandy, All soil w/clay subs + trees to protect f/sun. Water f/Andes glaciers
  3. Climate: C + 4 seasons + no extreme temp vari, rainfall 200-300mm/yr in summer
  4. La P (early summer Hail) + La Z (hot dry wine from N/E) = key risks
    1. N M
      1. 600-700m Lavalle+ Las Heras + Guaymallén + San Martín + part of Maípu
    2. U M river region
      1. 700-1,100 LdC + Perdriel + Agrelo + Ugarteche + most of Maípu.
      2. LdC 1st DOC (92) 800-1,000m, low rain + 15C mean annual temp. Best Old V Mal v/y with Perdriel
    3. UV region (Tup)
      1. 900-1,250 cooler c w/hi diu range - good for Aro White + PNoir
    4. E M - Big Volume
    5. SR (Val Bia’s home)
A

Mendoza

  1. 70% of country’s wine production w 140,000ha
  2. Topography: 600-1,100m near Mt Aconcagua / Loose, sandy, alluvial soil w clay substructures + trees to protect from summer temp Water in plenty from Andes’ glaciers
  3. Climate: Continental w 4 seasons + no extreme temp variations Rainfall of 200-300mm/yr in summer.
  4. La Piedra (early summer hail) + La Zonda (hot dry wind from N-E) = key risks

Areas:

I. North Mendoza:

  • 600-700m; Lavalle+ Las Heras + Guaymallén + San Martín + part of Maípu

II. Upper Mendoza river region:

  1. 700-1,100m; Lujan de Cuyo + Perdriel + Agrelo + Ugarteche + most of Maípu.
  2. Luján de Cuyo: 1st Argentinean DOC (92) situated; 800-1,000m, low rainfall + 15C mean annual temp. Best old vine Malbec vineyards in here along with Perdriel
  3. Catena, Trapiche and Norton’s home.

III. Uco Valley region (Tupungato)

  • 900-1,250m; cooler climate w hi diurnal change -> great for aromatic whites & Pinot Noirs.

IV. East Mendoza

  • Big volume producing area; Junin + Rivadavia + San Martín + Santa Rosa. Best wines from La Agricola in SR

V. _San Rafae_l (Valentín Bianchi’s home)

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6
Q

Neu + R N (black river)

3,800ha

  1. Dry H, lack of rain, cooler c w/long warm ripen season + chalky soil = ideal for whites
  2. Soils: Allu, S + Gr. Irr pioneered by Brits in 20C
  3. Grapes - Torr Rio, Sém, Ch, PN, Mal
  4. Humberto Canale 1st for Bdx vines for commercial, now many follow (Fabre Montmayou)
A

Neuquen & Río Negro (‘black river’)

3,800ha but not at full potential.

  1. Dry heat, lack of rainfall. Cooler climate w long warm ripening season + chalky soil -> ideal for whites
  2. Soils: Alluvial sands & gravel. Irrigation system pioneered by the British in 20th.
  3. Gr. Varieties: Torrontés Riojano, Sémillon, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir, Malbec.
  4. Humberto Canale 1st to plant Bdx vines for commercial purposes. A lot have followed since (e.g. Fabre Montmayou)
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7
Q

Viti possible due to cool effect of Alt

  1. Semi-desert w/rain 250mm in summer
  2. Hi Diu range 10-40C. Dry unpoluted but hurricane force Z in early summer
  3. Hi prop of sand
  4. Maipú + R Negro more Gr soil
A

Viticulture possible due to cooling effect of altitude.

  1. Semi-desert w rainfall <250mm/yr, mainly in the summer (hail risk)
  2. High diurnal temperature range: from 10C at night to 40C in the day.• Dry unpolluted air but hot, dry hurricane-force Zonda in early summer
  3. High proportion of sand
  4. Maipú + Río Negro: more gravelly soils
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8
Q

Historic pink grape (30%)

A. C (cherry in SP)

  1. Large Berry, paler vs Criolla, by Sp settlers
  2. Mainly E Mend + SJ - basic Rosé

B. C Grande:

  1. Pink-sk grape, low Q, most planted in Mend
  2. white or pink wine, cheap

C. C Ch (Pais in Chile)

  1. Impo by Sp Conquest in 16C, Less common vs C/CG, paler + better Q
A

Historic pink grape varieties (still 30% of all vines planted)

A. Cereza (‘cherry’ in Spanish):

  1. Large berries; juice paler vs. Criolla; brought in by Spanish settlers
  2. Mainly in eastern Mendoza + San Juan => Rosé of mediocre quality for local consumption or grape concentrate

B. Criolla Grande:

  1. Pink-skinned grapes; low quality vinifera variety; amongst 1st vines cultivated in the Americas - Most planted variety in Mendoza (>Malbec)
  2. Can make white or pink wine. Cheap and sold in litre bottles or cartons.

C. Criolla Chica (// País in Chile)

  1. Imported by Spanish conquistadores in 16th. Less common vs. Cereza & Grand. Paler & slightly better quality
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9
Q

Red

  1. Malbec 34%
  2. Intro to Mend 19C f/Bdx, pot via Chile
  3. Smaller, tighter bunches vs Bdx M
  4. Best at Alt
  5. Arg’s USP - benefit from O Ageing
  6. Bonarda 18%
  7. More in Arg vs IT
  8. Linked to Savoie Charbono or Corbeau
  9. Cab Sauv 17%
  10. plantings x 3 since ‘90
  11. Often bl w/Merlot or Syr
  12. Sy 13%
  13. M 11%
  14. Temp 10%

Light/fr reds via C/Mac

  1. Sang 6%
  2. Barb 2%
A

Reds (47% of plantings)

  1. Malbec (34% of plantings)
  2. Introduced to Mendoza in 19th century from Bordeaux, potentially via Chile
  3. Smaller, tighter bunches vs. Bdx Malbec
  4. Best grown at slightly higher altitude
  5. Argentina’s USP; can benefit from oak ageing
  6. Bonarda (18%)
  7. More Bonarda in Argentina vs. Italy
  8. Actually linked to Savoie’s Charbono or ‘Corbeau
  9. Cabernet Sauvignon (17%)
  10. Plantings nearly x3 since ‘90
  11. Often blended w Merlot or Syrah
  12. Syrah (13%)
  13. Merlot (11%)
  14. Tempranillo (10%)

For light fruity reds via carbonic maceration

  1. Sangiovese (6%)
  2. Barbera (2%)
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10
Q

White 20%

  1. Pedro Gimé 28.2%
  2. Light Sk
  3. Alc FB wine for bl or grape conc (exp to Jap)
  4. T 24.2%
  5. Arg’s only native grape
  6. Rioj (best) SJ (bigger berries, less aro) or Mendo (Rio N, lacks Musc arom)
  7. maybe Xing of Muscat of A + Crio Ch
  8. Hi Ac, arom
  9. Adapts well to hi S soil of Cafayate
  10. Chard 15%
  11. Specific M Clone dev’d in US
  12. Success in Tup 1,200m
  13. Sauv B 5.3%
    * can be flabby
  14. Viognier 1% incr
A

Whites (20% of plantings)

  1. Pedro Giménez (28.2%)
  2. Light skinned
  3. Alcoholic full bodied wine for blending or grape concentrate (for export to Japan)
  4. Torrontes (24.2%)
  5. Argentine’s only native grape
  6. Riojano (best) SanJuanino (bigger berries, less aromatic) or Mendocino (Rio Negro, lacks Muscat aromatics)
  7. First 2 believed to be a crossing between Muscat of Alexandria Criolla chica
  8. Produces hi acidity, aromatic
  9. Adapts well to hi sandy soils of Cafayate
  10. Chardonnay (15%)
  11. Specific Mendoza clone developed in the US
  12. Successful in Tupungato (1,200m)
  13. Sauvignon Blanc (5.3%)
    * tends to be flabby
  14. Viognier (1%) – increasing
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11
Q
A
  1. High pergolas to raise grapes away from heat. Newer plantings on cordon training systems.
  2. Irrigation with mountain water drawn via complex man-made systems.
  3. Still 90% of vineyards flood irrigated (-> hi yields) but also furrow irrigations or drip irrigation since late 90s.
  4. Use of netting vs. hail.
  5. Dry sunny conditions => Remarkably low incidence of vine disease + high yields of healthy ripe grapes
  6. Harvesting mainly manual due to low cost.
  7. Wine-making techniques based on historic grapes for hi volumes but modernisation since 90s.
  8. Hygienic, temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel most common.
  9. Ageing in large oak casks for reds although some use 225l barriques.
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12
Q

M = Deep C, Robust + Fr Red, best/bal R-wine from Arg

5th Biggest Prod in World 15.5m hl/yr, 5% of world Prod

A

Malbecs: deep coloured, robust & fruity red; best & most balanced red wine from Argentina

• 5th biggest producer in the world with 15.5m hl/2.2bn btls/year (in ‘10). Just under 5% of world production.

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13
Q

Consumption Hi 30L/pp/yr - 1/3 of 70s level

  • Relative large spec g-growing concerns
  • use of foreign con + flying w/makers to help exp

Key producers (brands)

  1. Grupo Penaflor: largest exporter
  2. Norton: founded 19C by English Engineer, now Swarovski ‘89 - good V wines
  3. DLJ (Trap): 27M btls/yr, standard to ultra premium(Medella)
  4. Nicolás Catena (Cat Al, Alamos, Gascon): 425ha modern JV w/Ch. Lafite Roth
  5. Moet & C (Terrazas) Hi Alt v/y in best Mend location. JV w/Ch Blanc (Cheval de los A) 3.6M bottles
  6. Familia Zuccardi: One of largest f-owned 600ha, modern w/new grape varieties

More recent investors

Hervé Joyaux f/Bdx (Fabre Montmayou) since /93. Malbec f/old v/y + bdx blend

Sogrape from Port (Finca Filchman)

Pernod Ricard (Etchart)

Allied Domecq (Balbi)

A

Consumption: 30l/pers/yr – a 1/3 of 1970s consumption level
• Predominance of relatively large specialist grape-growing concerns.
• Widespread use of foreign consultants & flying winemakers to help exports.

Key producers (brands):

  1. Grupo Penaflor: largest wine exporter by far
  2. Norton: founded 1895 by English engineer; now Swarovski since ’89. 680ha for good value quality wines.
  3. DLJ (Trapiche): 27m btls/year. Standard to ultra premium range (Medalla)
  4. Nicolás Catena (Catena Alta, Alamos, Gascon): 425ha + buying as much; architect of modern wine industry; joint venture w Ch. Lafite Rothschild.
  5. Moet & Chandon (Terrazas): high altitude vineyards in best Mendoza locations. Joint venture w Cheval Blanc (Cheval de los Andes). 3.6m btls/year
  6. Familia Zuccardi: one of the largest family-owned w 600ha; modern and innovative approach w new grape var

• Other more recent investors:

  • Hervé’s Joyaux from Bordeaux (Fabre Montmayou) since 93. Fine Malbec from old vineyards + Bdx blends - Sogrape from Portugal (Finca Flichman)
  • Pernod Ricard (Etchart)
  • Allied Domecq (Balbi)
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14
Q

INV = government’s control body

S - Dynamic / growing / exports / strong, sust USP w/M + T + int’l varieties

W: modernising

O - Int’l investment

T - cost of living increase

A

Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV) is the Government’s controlling body.

S: dynamic / growing / turned to exports / strong, sustainable USP w Malbec & Torrontes + international varieties

W: modernising
O: international investment a plenty / untapped potential in some regions e.g.
T: cost of living increasing

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Argentina (2 decks)

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