Week 2 - Argentina Flashcards

1
Q

What is Argentina most known for?

A

Malbec

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2
Q

How much Malbec does Argentina produce?

A

75% of the world’s total production

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3
Q

Does Argentina have extreme landscapes?

A

Yes. Altitude plays a huge role.

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4
Q

What countries does Argentina emulate in regards to wine production?

A

Spain and Italy

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5
Q

When did Argentina start exporting wine?

A

Little to no exports before 1990’s

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6
Q

When did investment start? What did this do?

A

Rapid investment in the early 2000’s

Shift from bulk to quality

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7
Q

Describe the geography of Argentina.

A

Rain shadow – dry and hot, desert conditions

Intense sunlight tempered by altitude

High diurnal temperature range (10˚C/40˚C)

Wide diurnal swings result in very
balanced wines

Irrigation is fully necessary

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8
Q

Is there a lot of disease pressure in Argentina?

A

Few problems with disease and pests
Biodynamic and organic no issues

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9
Q

What is the major climatic risk in Argentina?

A

Hail

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10
Q

Describe the soil of Argentina.

A

High proportion of sand

Maipú & Rio Negro: more gravel

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11
Q

What is the appellation system in Argentina?

A

DOC
GI
IPO

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12
Q

What does DOC mean in Argentina?

A

Part of the appellation system.

DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin)
Specifies geographical limits and production methods (similar to an Italian appellation)

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13
Q

Describe a GI in Argentina.

A

Part of the appellation system.

GI (Geographical Indication, Indicacion Geografico IG in Spanish)

Can be a province, municipality (departamento), district (distrito), or non-political zone

Verifies the origin of the grapes from a delimited region

Single varietal wines must contain 85% or more of the listed
variety.

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14
Q

What does “Reserva” mean on a bottle in Argentina?

A

Red wines: 1 year ageing in oak

White wines: 6 months ageing oak

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15
Q

Describe an IPO in Argentina.

A

Part of the appellation system.

IPO (Indication of Provenance)

Wider regional designation for table wines

80% min. from the stated origin

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16
Q

What are red varietals in Argentina?

A

Malbec– 26%
Bonarda – 21%
Cab Sauv– 20%
Syrah – 13%
Merlot – 9%
Tempranillo – 7%
Pinot Noir – 1%

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17
Q

What are white varietals in Argentina?

A

Torrontes – 39%

Chardonnay – 23%

Chenin Blanc – 15%

Ugni Blanc – 13%

Sauvignon Blanc – 6%

Semillon – 5%

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18
Q

Check out this map of Argentina.

A
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19
Q

What are the 3 core regions of Argentinian wine production?

A

North
Central
South

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20
Q

Check out this map of Argentina.

A
21
Q

Name 2 very good vintages in Argentina.

A

2018
2019

22
Q

What are the primary flavours of Torrontés?

A

Floral: rose petals, geranium
Citrus: lemon zest, Meyer lemon
Stone fruit: peach

23
Q

Where is Torrontès grown?

A

Cafayete
La Rioja

24
Q

Describe the structure of Torrontès.

A

Sweetness: dry
Acid: medium plus
Tannin: na
Alcohol: na
Body: medium plus

Fruit: medium plus

25
Q

List some facts about Torrontés.

A

Similar to other aromatic white wines: Riesling and Muscat Blanc

Commonly made in a dry style

Salty lean taste is in opposition to its sweet perfumed aromas

Three distinct varieties

  1. Torrontés Riojano - most delicious
  2. Torrontés Sanjuanino
  3. Torrontés Mendocino.
26
Q

What is Torrontés a cross of?

A

Mission grapes (País) and Muscat of Alexandria

27
Q

What is another name for Muscat of Alexandria?

A

Zibbibo

28
Q

What region in Argentina is known for Malbec?

A

Mendoza

29
Q

Where does Malbec originate?

A

Cahors

30
Q

What are the primary flavours of Malbec?

A

Floral: Violets
Red fruit: red plum
Black fruit: blackberry
Oak: vanilla, sweet tobacco, cocoa

31
Q

Describe Malbec’s structure.

A

Sweet: Dry
Acid: Medium
Tannin: Medium plus
Alcohol: medium plus to high
Body: medium plus

32
Q

Describe Malbec.

A

Years in shadow of Bordeaux blends, now coming into its own.

Fruit-forward

Floral

Purple pigmentation

33
Q

What are three GI’s in the north of Argentina?

A

GI Salta
GI Tucuman
GI Catamarca

34
Q

Describe the Northern Region in Argentina.

A

High elevations: intense UV rays which affect how wines taste

Altitude creates a cool climate, but sun delivers ripe fruit flavors and meatiness.

Subtle herbal qualities and bold fruit at the same time

Highest vineyard in world: Jujuy (North of Salta): 10,922 feet (3329 m) above sea level – the highest altitude vineyard in the world.

35
Q

Describe the GI of Salta.

A

Climate/soil similar to Mendoza

Local specialty of Torrontes Riojano (crisp, dry, aromatic white)

Main city in the North, most vineyards in the valley

Intense perfumed wines

36
Q

Describe GI Cafayete

A

Most important valley in Salta
Main producer in this region
60% of vineyards are in the Calchaqui Valley

37
Q

What are the main varieties grown in Cafayete?

A

Malbec
Torrontés Riojano
CS
Tannat
Merlot

38
Q

List the three main GI’s in the Central Valley.

A
  1. GI La Rioja
  2. GI San Juan
  3. GI Mendoza
39
Q

Describe the San Juan GI in the Central Valley in Argentina.

A

Second most significant in terms of quantity : 47,000ha or 20% of production

Warmer and better suited to Argentina’s coarse vine specialties: Criolla and Cereza.

Very inexpensive carton-style wines

Whites have medium colour intensity and green hues, strong fruity aromas and moderate
acidity and structure

Reds have violet hues while at higher altitudes you get wines with deeper colours and more intense aromas

40
Q

Describe La Rioja Region.

A

Oldest wine region

Lack of water for irrigation marginalizes wine

Hot climate, mild nights and severe drought

Strong presence of Torrontés Riojano

Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda and Syrah.

41
Q

Name 5 sub-regions of Mendoza.

A
  1. GI Lujan de Cuyo
  2. GI Maipu
  3. GI Uco Valley
  4. East
  5. South
42
Q

How important is Mendoza?

A

Most important wine province in Argentina

43
Q

List some facts about Mendoza.

A

70% of country’s wine production w 148,200ha

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

44
Q

Describe Mendoza’s climate.

A

Continental with four seasons

No extreme temp variations

Rainfall of 200-300mm/yr in summer

Key risks are:
- hail (La Piedra in early summer)
- hot dry wind from NE: La Zonda

45
Q

Describe Lujan de Cuyo

A

1st Argentinean DOC (92)

Situated 800-1,000m above sea level

Low rainfall + 15C mean annual temp

Best old vine Malbec vineyards

Key Producers:
Catena
Trapiche
Norton

46
Q

Describe the Uco Valley.

A

Three main sub regions:
1. Tunuyan
2. Tupungato
3. San Carlos

900-1,250m

Cooler climate w high diurnal change - great for
aromatic whites & Pinot Noir

Rivers, winds and volcanic
eruptions generated sedimentary
plains where vines are planted,
among other crops

New plantations raised the need
to specify the terroir of the Uco
Valley.

47
Q

What are the key GI’s in Patagonia?

A
  1. GI Rio Negro
  2. GI Neuquen
  3. GI La Pampa
  4. GI Chubut
48
Q
A