Argentina Flashcards
What is the most important grape in Argentina?
Malbec
What is the most important wine region in Argentina?
Mendoza - it accounts for 75% of Argentina’s vineyards
What is more important in Argentina red or white wines?
Red wines are the focus and over half of production
Where are the majority of Argentina’s vineyards?
At the foot of the Andes in Mendoza, generally at an altitude of upwards of 2,300m
What are the top five grapes in Argentina?
- Malbec
- Cereza (rose)
- Criolla Grande (red)
- Bonarda (red)
- Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the main white grapes in Argentina?
- Pedro Giminez
2. Torrontés
What is the altitude of Argentina’s vineyards?
Very high, generally upwards of 2,300m
What is the benefit of high altitude vineyards in Argentina?
Cool night time temperatures help main acidity in wines
How much of a variety must be in the bottle to be labelled as a single variety in Argentina?
Single varietal wines must contain at least 85% of the listed variety in Argentina
How long must a ‘Reserva’ be aged for in Argentina?
Wines labelled ‘Reserva’ must be aged for at least 12 months for red wines and 6 months for white and rose wines
What is the Zonda?
A hot dry hurricane force storm in Argentina which blows down from the north west in early summer that can occasionally adversely affect vine flowering
What is La Piedra?
A term in Argentina to describe the hail that comes in early summer which is the main weather risk to vines
What is the main weather risk in Argentina?
Summer hail known as La Piedra
What is the climate in Mendoza?
Continental, four seasons clearly defined without any extremes in temperature
Rain is low ~200mm per year but most falls in summer months encouraging vine growth
Which two wine regions are prone to summer hail damage?
Bourgogne and Mendoza
