Argentina WSET Diploma Still wines

Question 1

Argentina

Answer 1

It has a winemaking history from 450 years ago.

2. It is the 5th largest wine producing country in the world, with a very strong domestic market, combined with a growing international market looking a quality malbec wines.
3. It has a 225.000 hectareas

Question 2

Climate in Argentina

Answer 2

Planting are close to the Andes, extending over 1000 km, from Subtropical North of Salta to the Rio Negro near Patagonia.
2 Most vineyard planted above 500 metres.
Those near Salta lie above 2000 m, to provide a suitably cool climate for winemaking so near the equator.
3.Salta is now home to the highest commercial vineyard in the World. Thanks to new investment of foreign money.
4. Rain fall tends to be low as vines are planted in the rain shadow of the Andes.
5. Spring frost in the South of Argentina are an occasional problem and hail is a threat each summer.

Question 3

Viticulture in Argentina

Answer 3

1. Vines planted on high pergoles to raise grapes away from the heat near the ground. It is called as Parral.
2. Newer plantings usually on cordon training system gives lower yielding.
3. Low rainfall makes irrigation necessary.
4. Water is drawn from mountain run off or natural aquifers.
5. Rain is 150 ml to 220 ml per year. Really low.
6. Flood irrigations is still widespread.
7. Where drip irrigation has been introduced, risk of damage of nematodes.
8. Spring frost are an occasional problem, but summer hail is a regular hazard.
9. Netting is used over summer to minimise damage from hail.
10. Few problems with rot or mildew.
11. Argentina is an important producer of organic wines.
12. Best wines come from old low yielding vineyard.

Question 4

From North to South what are the 3 mainwine producing regions in Argentina?
What are the 9 provinces within them?

Answer 4

North Region:Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca
Cuyo:La Rioja,San Juan,Mendoza
Patagonia:La Pampa, Rio Negro, Neuquén

Question 5

In which province is Cafayate located?

Answer 5

Salta

Question 6

What is the name for Argentina’s traditional vine training system?

Answer 6

Parral, a pergola system to keep the grapes away from the hot ground and leaves arranged to provide shade. Torrontes is still grown this way but, increasingly, black grapes are trained on vertical trellises with canopies arranged to give shade

Question 7

Argentina’s wine growing regions are generally located in areas with whichclimate type?

Answer 7

Continental

Question 8

Where will you find the highest vineyards in Mendoza, what grapes is it renowned for producing?

Answer 8

UCO Valley with vineyards between 900~1,500 metres
Cool nights retain acidity and fresh fruit flavours Chardonnay, Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc
Malbec, Cab Sav, Merlot, and Tempranillo Some sites cool enough for Pinot Noir

Question 9

Argentina’s vineyards are cut off from ocean cooling by the Andes so where does cooling come from?

Answer 9

Altitud

Question 10

TheColomé winery is located in which Argentinian region?

It is owned by:

Answer 10

Salta

Donald Hess Family Estates

Question 11

Vinification in Argentina

Answer 11

1. large quantities of healthy fruit is produced each year due to dry sunny conditions over the growing period.
   2 High yielding vineyard.
2. Most modern wineries have invested in the most up to date equipment.
3. Hygienic, temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel is common.
4. Some wineries use oak barriques from premium wines. 225 L for ageing.

Question 12

Malbec in Argentina

Answer 12

1. It has been used for full bodied, ripe, black fruit, spice red wines.
2. Malbec, In the last 10 years this style is move to more elegant examples.
3. Malbec is the most planting grape variety in Argentina, that look to Malbec like the future.
4. Initially used as a part of the blend like other Bordeaux varities.
5. Now, it is made as style varietal, although it plays a leading role in some premium blends.
6. Malbec made from fruit ripened at lower altitudes are fuller bodied, with more black fruit.
7. Malbec wines made from higher altitude vineyard tend to be more elegant, displaying fresher, more floral aromas.

Question 13

Bonarda

Answer 13

1. Is the second most grown varietal in Argentina.
2. It no yet international grape
3. New improvements, on East Mendoza, have focus as more international grape again.
4. Producers will be focusing on Bonarda as unique selling point for the diversity.

Question 14

Torrontés

Answer 14

1. Cross between Muscat of Alexandría and Criolla Chica.
2. It is mostly planted in La Rioja, San Juan, and North of Salta.
3. Before: many wines were coarse-textured, bitter and lacking acidity.
4. With new winemaking techniques now it is the signature white variety.
5. Best samples come from high altitude in Cafayate in Salta.
6. Torrontés is medium body and medium acidity, intense fruity, floral perfume, dry white wine, Muscat like aromas.

Question 15

For what it is used Criolla or Cereza varieties in Argentina?

Answer 15

Historic varieties such as Criolla and Cereza making local, basic table wine and grape concentrate, or grape must, that it is a really important industry in Argentina.
Now just 15% of the planting area.

Question 16

Salta region

Answer 16

1. Close to border with Bolivia.
2. The most northerly, wine regions in Argentina.
3. Cafayate area with Calchaquies Valley is around 1500 to 3000 metres about sea level.
4. It is the World´s highest vineyard area.
5. Extrema climate: producing wine of great puritu and concentration.
6. Most terroir specific wines in the World.
7. Large diurnal temperatures differences allows aroma and flavour development in Torrontés while retaining acidity.
8. The oldest winery in Argentina, Bodegas Colomé, it is place here.
9. Also, in this area it is produced Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz.
10. Some of the big name wineries now belong to the major European wine companies have been investing here.

Question 17

La Rioja Province

Answer 17

1.The 3th largest area in production in Argentina.
2. Production is dominated by cooperatives cellars, like La Riojana Cooperative.
3. Inexpensive bulk wines.
4 Awarded fairtrade ( some production) area.
5. In the international market always labelled as Fatamina Valley.

Question 18

San Juan

Answer 18

1. Between La Rioja and Mendoza.
2. The 2th largest area in Argentina with 15% of the production.
3. From 500 to 1400 metres of altitude.
4. Condition are hotter than in Mendoza.
5. Large production of vermouth and light wines.
6. Shiraz, mature very well. This is the future of this area.

Question 19

Mendoza

Answer 19

1. Dominates winemaking in Argentina with 70% of the whole production.
2. Like 160.000 hectareas.
3. It is the largest winemaking region in the World.
4. Vineyard are planted in the true desert conditions.
5. Protected from rain in the West from Andes Mountains, and from the east from Argentina Pampa.
6. 2 things are possible for the production.
   - Snow.melt water from the mountains.
   - High altitude, leads to decreased overall temperature, increase diurnal range and increased sunlight intensity, that defining feature of Mendoza´s Wines.
7. Mendoza focus in a large volume, varietally labelled wines and international blends.
8. Good Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
9. Produced and excellent Malbec that is dark purple in colour with rich, ripe damson fruit, soft tannins and spicy flowers.

Question 20

3 Main areas in Mendoza

Answer 20

Uco Valley, Lujan de Cuyo, Maipu

Question 21

Uco Valley in Mendoza

Answer 21

1. New investment for international companies.
2. Vineyard around 1000 m to 1400 metre of altitude. It is the highest vineyard in Mendoza.
3. Altitude accounts for acidity and resulting freshness of the wines.
4. Red wines from this area have the vest ageing potential here. Also in Tupungato area. High altitude.

Question 22

Lujan de Cuyo in Mendoza

Answer 22

1. DOC system from 1992.
2. Above 1000 metres altitude (foothills of the Andes)
3. 1980 Nicolas Catena, collected and planted a different clonal population of Malbec in several regions. Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley were the best, and started the revolution.
4. It is notable for a large population of ungrafted old Malbec.
5. Wines from here are much soft, round and sweet spice in the Malbec profile when blended.

Question 23

Maipu in Mendoza

Answer 23

Bulk wines

Question 24

Neuquen Area

Answer 24

Neuquen it is the newest wine area in Argentina.
Invest and new machinery,
Cool climate, good for Pinot Noir.

Question 25

Rio Negro

Answer 25

1. Between Neuque and Patagonia.
2. Good for SB, PN, Malbec.
3. Located at 200 to 250 metres above sea level.
4. The cooling influence is clearly not the altitude, but the latitude, 40 degrees.
5. Old vines, very clean and sanitary conditions for high quality viticulture, high price on the market.
6. Rio Negro Malbec has higher acidity, frutiers tannins and is more elegant than Mendoza Malbec.