South America - Argentina Flashcards
Is Argentina a significant wine producing country?
Yes - world’s fifth largest producer
What is the general climate of Argentina’s wine regions?
Continental, in the rain shadow of the Andes
Very dry - the Zonda wind
What is the Zonda?
A hot dry afternoon wind that blows down from the Andes in Spring and Summer, can affect flowering
What are some of the threats in Argentinian vineyards?
Hail - regular through spring and summer
Zonda wind - can affect flowering
Lack of rainfall - irrigates with snowmelt, but difficult if there isn’t much snow
Heat - high temperatures during the growing season
Where are the world’s highest vines located?
3000 m asl
Salta
Colomé estate owned by Donald Hess
Is Argentina’s Bonarda the same as the Italian grape of the same name?
No
But it’s the same as California’s Charbono
Most planted red grape in Argentina?
Second most planted?
Malbec
Bonarda (Charbono)
Most planted white grape in Argentina?
Second most planted?
Pedro Gimenez (not related to Pedro Ximenez) Torrontés
What are the three pink skinned grapes that occupy 30% of Argentina’s plantings?
Criolla Grande
Criolla Chica
Cereza
What are the three regions of Argentina?
Northern Provinces
Cuyo
Patagonia
Describe Argentina’s wine classification system
IG - Indicaciones Geográficas - use political boundaries
Plus -
A small number of DOCs - Demominacion de Origen Controlada - that specify grape varieties, viticultural practices and aging requirements
What are the five IGs of North Region?
Catamarca IG Jujuy IG Salta IG Tucumán IG Valles Calchaquíes IG
What is the main subregion of Salta IG?
Cafayate
Where is Cafayate?
Argentina
North Region
Salta IG
Cafayate sub region
What is the elevation of Salta IG?
1,200m - 3,100m asl
Which grape varieties are planted in Salta IG?
65% red grapes - Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Merlot
33% white grapes - Torrontés Riojano
2% pink grapes
What are the three IGs of Cuyo IG?
La Rioja Argentina IG
Mendoza IG
San Juan IG
What are the 5 sub regions of Mendoza IG?
Valle de Uco IG - the only area that is an IG, the others are provinces Northern Mendoza Eastern Mendoza Central Mendoza Southern Mendoza
Name a significant Torrontés from Cafayate
Susana Balbo ‘Crios’
What are the two main varieties grown in La Rioja Argentina IG?
Torrontés
Malbec
What is Argentina’s second largest wine producing area?
San Juan IG
What are the sub regions of Central Mendoza IG?
Lujan de Cuyo DOC > NOTE DOC
Godoy Cruz IG
Maipú IG
What are the two DOC of Argentina?
Lujan de Cuyo DOC (Central Mendoza)
San Rafael DOC (Southern Mendoza)
What are the major varieties of Mendoza IG?
Malbec
Bonarda
Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the soil type of Mendoza IG?
Alluvial sand over clay
Describe the irrigation requirements and techniques of Mendoza IG
Irrigation is essential
Can be channel/furrow irrigation utilising snow melt or drip irrigation
Name three important producers of Mendoza Malbec
Archaval Ferrer
Cantena Zapata
Terrazas de los Andes (producer of Cheval des Andes)
Dominio del Plata (Susana Balbo)
What is the name of the collaboration Pierre Lurton is involved in in Mendoza?
Cheval des Andes
In partnership with Terrazas de los Andes
What is Archeval Ferrer known for?
High profile producer of single vineyard old vine Malbec from Mendoza
Best known for ‘Altamira’ - over 80yo vines in Uco Valley`
What are the three sub regions of Patagonia IG?
La Pampa IG
Neuquén IG
Rïo Negro IG
A super premium Pinot Noir from Patagonia was produced in the mid-2000s - tell me more
Made by Bodegas Chacra, (owned by grandson of Sassicaia creator)
BD and organic
Only focus on Pinot Noir
Top wine is ‘Treinta y Dos’
