South America Flashcards
Two “signature” grapes of Argentina
Malbec
Torrontes
Three specific varieties of Torrontes
Torrontes Mendocino
Torrontes Riojano
Torrontes Sanjuanino
Red grape known in France as Douce Noir
Bonarda (known in California as Charbono)
Pink-skinned grape varieties widely grown in Argentina
Criolla
(Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica)
Cereza
Three levels of wine classification used in Argentina
- Denominacion de origen controlada (DOC) – the highest level
- Indicacion geografica (IG) – quality wines below the DOC level
- Indicacion de procedencia (IP) – table wines, regional wines
Two DOCs of Argentina
Lujan de Cuyo
San Rafael
Most prolific wine-producing province of Argentina
Mendoza
Four wine-making provinces of Argentina’s Northern Regions
Jujuy
Salta
Tucuman
Catamarca
Three wine-making provinces of Argentina’s Cuyo (Central) Regions
Mendoza San Juan La Rioja (La Rioja Argentina)
Single wine-making province of Argentina’s “Center”
Cordoba
Four wine-making provinces of Argentina’s Patagonia Region
Chubut
Neuquen
Rio Negro
La Pampa
Province of Argentina considered part of the “Atlantic” viticultural area
Buenos Aires
Four subregions of Salta
Cachi
Cafayate (Valley)
Molinos
San Carlos
Ultra-high-altitude vineyard located in Jujuy
Moya Vineyard
Ultra-high-altitude vineyard located in Molinos
Altura Maxima
Multi-province GI that includes parts of Tucuman, Catamarca, & Salta
Calchaqui Valley (Valles Calchaquies)
Five main sub-regions of Mendoza
Uco Valley Northern Oasis Primera Zona East Mendoza South Mendoza
Two main rivers of the Neuquen Province
Limay and Neuquen
Province located in the middle of Argentina, east of the Andes, known for grassland (plains)
La Pampa
Southernmost wine-producing province of Argentina
Chubut
The easternmost GI of Argentina
Chapadmalal GI
Capitol city of Uruguay
Montevideo
Leading grape variety of Uruguay
Tannat
Alternative name for Tannat (in honor of an early adopter) used in Uruguay
Harriague (in honor of Pascual Harriague)
Red grape widely used in Uruguay for rose (exported to Brazil)
Black Muscat
Chile’s cold ocean current
Humboldt Current
Very dry desert located at the northern end of Chile’s viticultural areas
Atacama Desert
Leading grape variety of Chile
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chilean name(s) for the Friulano grape
Sauvingon Vert, Sauvinonasse
Geographical terms for Chile’s wine regions, as defined west-east
Costa (Coast)
Entre Cordilleras (Between the Mountains)
Andes
Grape variety previously though to be Chilean “Merlot”
Carmenere
Six main viticultural regions of Chile
Atacama Coquimbo Aconcagua Central Valley Del Sur (Southern Regions) Austral
Three subregions of the Coquimbo Region
Elqui Valley
Choapa Valley
Limari Valley
Three subregions of the Aconcagua Region
Aconcagua Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Subregion of the Aconcagua Region best-known for cool-climate white varieties
Casablanca Valley
Zone located within the San Antonio Valley subregion – known for granite soils
Leyda Valley
Wine region surrounding the city of Santiago de Chile
Maipo Valley
Two zones of Chile’s Rapel Valley
Colchagua Valley
Cachapoal Valley
3 subregions of Chile’s “Southern Regions” viticultural area
Itata Valley
Bio-Bio Valley
Malleco Valley
2 subregions of Chile’s “Austral Region” viticultural area
Cautin Valley
Osorno Valley
Brazilian state best-known for wine production
Rio Grande do Sur
Brazil’s only DO
Vale de Vinhedos DO
Brazil’s six main wine-production regions
Serra Gaucha Vale do Sao Francisco Serra do Sudeste Campos de Cima da Serra Planalto Catarinense Campanha
Where does the majority of the South American continent lie?
In the tropics, although the Southern Cone at the bottom of the coninent pushes through the temperate winegrowing latitudes
What are the three major wine-producing countries of South America?
Argentina, Chile, and Brazil
Who are the major wine exporters of South America?
Argentina and Chile; Uruguay’s production is smaller but still does produce wine for export
Which country occupies the largest portion of suitable viticultural land in South America and makes the most wine?
Argentina
Where is the primary market for Argentinian wine?
Buenos Aires, but the country’s wine industry has become increasingly export-oriented
What is one of the keys to understanding Argentina’s wine industry and culture in general?
The bulk of its population is of European origin, and a large percentage originated in Italy and Spain. So wine is an important part of Argentine culture and daily life.
What borders Argentina to the west?
The long chain of the Andes Mountains
What borders Argentina to the east?
Atlantic Ocean
What does the Andean ridgeline do for Argentina?
Forms a 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.
What contributes to Argentina’s western foothills exceptional winegrowing conditions?
Dry air
Plentiful irrigation water from Andean snowmelt
High elevations
Almost unlimited sunshine
What is the climate of Argentina?
Continental; Summers are hot, but the lack of humidity causes nighttime temperatures to drop rapidly, helping to retain acidity in the grapes. Winters are cold but not typically severe.
What are the winds that often shake the vineyards of Argentina?
Zonda winds
What effects do the Zonda winds have on Argentina’s vines?
Can damage leaves and fruit and, when followed by a cold front, bring the risk of frost damage.
What is the greatest threat in Argentina at harvest time?
Hailstorms which can severely damage vineyard crops
What grape varieties were the original focus of Argentina’s wine industry?
Range of grape varieties including Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica, and Cereza descended from the original vines (known as Mission Grapes) brought into South America by European missionaries in the 16th century
What are Mission Grapes?
Range of grape varieties including Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica, and Cereza descended from the original vines brought into South America by European missionaries in the 16th century
Why were Mission Grapes grown historically?
Mainly to be used in inexpensive everyday wines for local consumption or for bulk export.
What did Argentina shift to more recently in terms of grape varieties?
Higher-quality production emphasizing two key grapes: Malbec and Torrontes
Two key grapes of Argentina
Malbec and Torrontes
Red Grapes of Argentina
Malbec Bonarda (Douce Noir) Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Tempranillo Merlot Pinot Noir Tannat Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot
White Grapes of Argentina
Torrontes Riojano Torrontes Mendocino Torrontes Sanjuanino Chardonnay Moscatel de Alejandria Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Viognier Pedro Gimenez
Alternate name for Bonarda
Douce Noir (France) Carbono (California)
Are Cereza, Criolla Grande, and Criolla Chica still widely grown in Argentina?
Yes, although they are not typically approved for use in vinos finos
What is Argentina’s signature red variety?
Malbec
Argentina Malbec profile
Deeply colored, often inky black, and hae corresponding fruit flavors of blackberry and plum
Second most exported grape of Argentina
Torrontes
Argentina Torrontes profile
Light-bodied wine with pronounced floral aromas
3 leading reds besides Malbec in Argentina
Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
What are the three distinct varieties of Torrontes?
Torrontes Mendocino
Torrontes Riojano
Torrontes Sanjuanino
Which variety of Torrontes is the most grown?
Torrontes Riojano
What is the widely grown Pedro Gimenez used for in Argentina?
Fortified wines and Bulk wines
When was Argentina’s appellation system enacted?
1999
How many levels are in Argentina’s appellation system?
3
What are the 3 levels of Argentina’s appellation system from highest to lowest?
Denominacion de origen controlada (DOC)
Indicacion geografica (IG)
Indicacion de procedencia (IP)
What is the IP level used for in Argentina?
Table wines and regional wines
Who enforces Argentina’s DOC laws?
a local consejo, or council
What do the DOC regulations entail?
Geographic boundaries
Permissable grape varieties
Planting densities
Other Requirements
How many DOCs are in Argentina?
2
What are the 2 DOCs in Argentina?
Mendoza subregions of Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael
What can be produced in the Lujan de Cuyo DOC?
Malbec
What can be produced in the San Rafael DOC?
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay
What is the Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura?
INV; Regulating body of wine in Argentina that places strict controls, including pricing requirements, on the best wine of Argentina
What are the best wines of Argentina called?
Vinos finos
How much of total production is vinos finos?
20% of all wine produced
What are the requirements for vinos finos?
Premium grapes (typically excludes wine produced from the Cereza or Criolla grape varieties) Varietal wines must contain 85% of stated variety
What took effect in 2011 in regards to vinos finos?
Defining of terms such as Reserva and Gran Reserva
Reserva requirements for vinos finos
White wines - 6 mos aging
Red wines - 1 yr aging
Gran Reserva requirements for vinos finos
White wines - 1 yr aging
Red wines - 2 yrs aging
Where is the Jujuy region in Argentina?
Located in the extreme northwest of Argentina; tucked deep into the Andes Mountains and as such contains some of the highest elevation vineyards in the world
What is the highest vineyard in Argentina?
Moya Vineyard (10, 922 ft/3,330 m) above sea level
What is the climate of Jujuy?
Very little rain, abundant sunshine, and a wide diurnal temperature swing
What is the total acreage of Jujuy?
A mere 65 acres (26 ha)
What is the acreage of Salta?
Approximately 8,300 acres (3,365 ha)
What is Salta known for?
High-elevation vineyards which range from 5,000 to 10,200 ft above sea level
What region in Salta is home to a majority of the region’s vineyards?
Cafayate
What is Cafayate known for?
High-altitude Torrontes Riojano in addition to Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the ultra-high elevation vineyard found in Molinos within Salta?
Altura Maxima (“Maximum Height”) - 10,206 ft/3,111 m
What is Altura Maxima planted to?
Malbec
What is Tucuman?
Sun-drenched, high-altitude, densely populated region in Argentina that is home to just over 280 acres of vines
Where are most of the vines of Tucuman located?
Calchaqui Valley (Calles Calchaquies)
Where does the Calchaqui Valley extend?
Tucuman and across parts of Catamarca and Salta
What makes up the majority of the plantings in the Calchaqui Valley?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Torrontes Riojano
How many acres of vines does Catamarca have? What is nearly 40% planted to?
6,200 acres (2,500 ha); Native Criolla grape varieties (some of which are used for bulk wine or table grapes), although quality wine production – including unique wines based on Criolla varieties – is rapidly expanding
What is the leading export variety of Catamarca?
Torrontes Riojano followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Syrah
Where are the majority of the Catamarca’s vineyards located?
In a succession of high-elevation river valleys tucked between mountain ridges – where warm days, cool nights, and sunshine are abundant
Where is La Rioja?
South of Catamarca
What is La Rioja’s climate?
Warm days and cool nights, as well as a tendency for drought conditions.
Where are the majority of the vineyards of La Rioja?
Famatina Valleys, located to either side of the Famatina mountain range
What is La Rioja planted to?
51% Red grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Bonarda, and Syrah
32% - Torrontes Riojano is by far the single most widely-planted grape of the region