Week 2 - Argentina Flashcards
What is Argentina most known for?
Malbec
How much Malbec does Argentina produce?
75% of the world’s total production
Does Argentina have extreme landscapes?
Yes. Altitude plays a huge role.
What countries does Argentina emulate in regards to wine production?
Spain and Italy
When did Argentina start exporting wine?
Little to no exports before 1990’s
When did investment start? What did this do?
Rapid investment in the early 2000’s
Shift from bulk to quality
Describe the geography of Argentina.
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
Is there a lot of disease pressure in Argentina?
Few problems with disease and pests
Biodynamic and organic no issues
What is the major climatic risk in Argentina?
Hail
Describe the soil of Argentina.
High proportion of sand
Maipú & Rio Negro: more gravel
What is the appellation system in Argentina?
DOC
GI
IPO
What does DOC mean in Argentina?
Part of the appellation system.
DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin)
Specifies geographical limits and production methods (similar to an Italian appellation)
Describe a GI in Argentina.
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.
What does “Reserva” mean on a bottle in Argentina?
Red wines: 1 year ageing in oak
White wines: 6 months ageing oak
Describe an IPO in Argentina.
Part of the appellation system.
IPO (Indication of Provenance)
Wider regional designation for table wines
80% min. from the stated origin
What are red varietals in Argentina?
Malbec– 26%
Bonarda – 21%
Cab Sauv– 20%
Syrah – 13%
Merlot – 9%
Tempranillo – 7%
Pinot Noir – 1%
What are white varietals in Argentina?
Torrontes – 39%
Chardonnay – 23%
Chenin Blanc – 15%
Ugni Blanc – 13%
Sauvignon Blanc – 6%
Semillon – 5%
Check out this map of Argentina.
What are the 3 core regions of Argentinian wine production?
North
Central
South
Check out this map of Argentina.
Name 2 very good vintages in Argentina.
2018
2019
What are the primary flavours of Torrontés?
Floral: rose petals, geranium
Citrus: lemon zest, Meyer lemon
Stone fruit: peach
Where is Torrontès grown?
Cafayete
La Rioja
Describe the structure of Torrontès.
Sweetness: dry
Acid: medium plus
Tannin: na
Alcohol: na
Body: medium plus
Fruit: medium plus
List some facts about Torrontés.
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
- Torrontés Riojano - most delicious
- Torrontés Sanjuanino
- Torrontés Mendocino.
What is Torrontés a cross of?
Mission grapes (País) and Muscat of Alexandria
What is another name for Muscat of Alexandria?
Zibbibo
What region in Argentina is known for Malbec?
Mendoza
Where does Malbec originate?
Cahors
What are the primary flavours of Malbec?
Floral: Violets
Red fruit: red plum
Black fruit: blackberry
Oak: vanilla, sweet tobacco, cocoa
Describe Malbec’s structure.
Sweet: Dry
Acid: Medium
Tannin: Medium plus
Alcohol: medium plus to high
Body: medium plus
Describe Malbec.
Years in shadow of Bordeaux blends, now coming into its own.
Fruit-forward
Floral
Purple pigmentation
What are three GI’s in the north of Argentina?
GI Salta
GI Tucuman
GI Catamarca
Describe the Northern Region in Argentina.
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.
Describe the GI of Salta.
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
Describe GI Cafayete
Most important valley in Salta
Main producer in this region
60% of vineyards are in the Calchaqui Valley
What are the main varieties grown in Cafayete?
Malbec
Torrontés Riojano
CS
Tannat
Merlot
List the three main GI’s in the Central Valley.
- GI La Rioja
- GI San Juan
- GI Mendoza
Describe the San Juan GI in the Central Valley in Argentina.
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
Describe La Rioja Region.
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.
Name 5 sub-regions of Mendoza.
- GI Lujan de Cuyo
- GI Maipu
- GI Uco Valley
- East
- South
How important is Mendoza?
Most important wine province in Argentina
List some facts about Mendoza.
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
Describe Mendoza’s climate.
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
Describe Lujan de Cuyo
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
Describe the Uco Valley.
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.
What are the key GI’s in Patagonia?
- GI Rio Negro
- GI Neuquen
- GI La Pampa
- GI Chubut
