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WSET Diploma 3 Wines of the World > Argentina > Flashcards

Argentina Flashcards

1
Q

Positives of flood irrigation in Argentina

A
  • Cheap to operate/ no expensive equipment to install
  • Water available from Andes glaciers/ snow melt
  • Many of the soils are free draining
    • so lets water get deep into the soils
    • water logging not an issue
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2
Q

negatives of flood irrigation in Argentina

A
  • not an efficient or sustainable use of water
    • less snowfall/ glaciers in Andes
  • it is not targeted like drip irrigation
  • vineyard needs to be levelled for this type of irrigation
    • expensive (often more than drip irrigation)
    • not always possible depending on topography
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3
Q

climate of Patagonia

A
  • continental
  • altitude of vineyards lower than rest of country (200- 400m v 500-1500m in Mendoza)
  • but cooling influence is higher latitude (38° to 39°S)
    • temperatures are relatively low, sunlight is less intense, the growing season is longer
  • Rainfall v low (under 200 mm, lower than Mendoza)
  • strong, drying winds esp in Neuquen province mean trees planted as protection
  • low rainfall, winds and high diurnal = little disease
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4
Q

Argentina’s wine history before 1900

A
  • 1550 first recorded vineyard (Spanish settlers)
  • despite high altitude, arid climate, soon grew
  • 1816 independence from Spain, attracted immigrants and vines from Spain, Italy, France
  • 1851 viticultural research centre & school - many important European grapes (incl Malbec) pre phylloxera
    • this encouraged significant European immigration of those who lost livelihoods to it in late 1800s
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5
Q

Argentina was isolated from the world for much of the 20thC, so what kept its wine business going?

A
  • very high domestic consumption (because of European immigrants wine drinking culture - 60L pp in 1870s)
  • Dropped in economic crisis of 1929, but Peron measures supported wine so rose to 90L pp by 1970
  • high volume, inexpensive wines from high yielding
    • pink criollas Cereza, Crilla Grande, Criolla Chica
    • white Pedro Giménez
  • stayed high until 1970s when democracy, beer and soft drinks came in
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6
Q

what is Criolla?

A
  • collective name for grape varieties commonly grown in South America since arrival of conquistadores
  • but Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica (Pais in Chile) are also names of individual grape varieties
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7
Q

Argentinian wine history from 1970s to date

A
  • 1970s democracy, beer, soft drinks, massive decline in domestic consumption - no longer captive consumer
  • druing 70s and 80s Argentina switched 75% red to 75% white, 80% reduction in Malbec!
  • Nicolas Catena looked to export markets, modernisation, quality, not quantity
  • consultants Paul Hobbs, Michel Rolland, Alberto Antonini
  • weak peso in ealry 2000s meant Argentine wine cheap
  • 2017 11.8m hL of wine (6th largest in world) but still 80% domestic market
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8
Q

Latitude and altitude effects in Argentina

A
  • The 1500km of Argentina’s vineyards have low latitudes (24° to 38°S) - need altitude or too hot for viticulture
  • Salta in the north at 24° plants from 1500-3000m
  • gives intense sunlight/ultraviolet radiation, huge diurnal up to 20oC, cool nights extend season by slowing sugar accumulation - fully ripe grapes, high ripe tannins & anthocyanins (deep colour) but retain acid and freshness
  • Patagonia at 38°S the highest plantings only 400m, but the higher latitude means lower temperatures, sunlight less intense and growing season is longer
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9
Q

climate of Argentina

A
  • continental (tiny coastal plantings), rain as low as 200mm
  • most of vineyards at altitude (in rainshadow of) Andes in irrigated oases in what is otherwise desert.
  • 1500km north 24oS (Salta) highest vineyards up to 3300m to south 38o​S (Patagonia) lowest 200m
  • irrigation essential, but v dry reduces risk of disease; lots of organically grown grapes
  • strong, dry winds (like zonda) blow down from mountains
  • occasional spring frosts, summer hail in Mendoza
  • El Nino affects volume
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10
Q

what is the zonda and its effect?

A
  • strong, hot, dry wind blows along valleys in Argentina in late spring/ early summer
  • can lower humidity, induce water stress
  • can affect flowering, fruit set, or damage grapes
  • can reduce yields
  • may grow trees as windbreaks (eg poplars in Patagonia)
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11
Q

8 most planted grapes in Argentina

A
  1. Malbec (20% total vineyards)
  2. Pink Criolla varieties
  3. Bonarda (2nd red, under half Malbec)
  4. Cabernet-Sauvignon
  5. Syrah
  6. Pedro Ximenez (white, neutral, cheap, but improving)
  7. Torrontes (usually Riojano, best)
  8. Chardonnay
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12
Q

one slide on Malbec in Argentina

A
  • flagship grape, 20% plantings (+250% since 2000)
  • some pre-phylloxera cuttings from France, honed by clonal research and massale selection. Smaller berries/bunches than France and soter tannins
  • vigorous, mid-ripening; in warm & sunny deep coloured, full-bodied, high soft tannins, high alcohol, ripe blackberry and black plums - hugely successful export
  • range of styles and price points, sometimes blended with Bordeaux varieties, Bonarda, even Syrah
  • regional styles according to altitude/latitude/ microclimate
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13
Q

vineyard management in Argentina

A
  • historically heat meant pergola (parral) system to lift grapes above hot ground and gave canopy shade
  • parral still used for Torrontes (needs shade for acid etc)
  • but shift to VSP for modern canopy and drip irrigation
  • dry (little fungal) - irrigation essential: flood v drip
  • spring frost occasionally, esp low, flat sites
  • summer hail esp in Mendoza
    • expensive netting (only best sites)
    • different plots to spread risk (hail is localised), also adavntages in blending
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14
Q

one slide on Bonarda

A
  • Argentina’s second most planted black grape
  • late ripening, high yields, 85% inexpensive for domestic
  • mainly grown in San Juan and Mendoza
  • typically deep colour, red & black fruits, medium (+) acid, medium tannins and alcohol
  • it’s fruit and colour - popular blend with Malbec/ Cab Sav, but oak tends to overwhelm it
  • at lower yielding vineyards/ old vines in Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo more complex, riper black fruits & spice, still mid-priced, a few premium
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15
Q

compare the flavour profile of a high altitude, latitude Malbec with a lower altitude latitude Malbec in Argentina

A
  • high altitude/latitude will have
    • lower alcohol
    • medium(+) firm versus medium tannins soft
    • fresh black and red fruit flavours v riper fruits
    • floral, herbal aromas (not found in lower sites)
  • producers will often blend from different sites
  • high quality, single vineyard wines are becoming more common
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16
Q

Argentina’s Geographical Indicator system

A
  • 3 tier
  • IP (large geograpical area, but not whole country)
  • IG (or GI) wines of certain quality from specific area considered capable of producing quality wine
  • DOC wines from specific geographical area with legislated criteria
    • so far only two, both in Mendoza
      • Luján de Cuyo
      • San Rafael
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17
Q

Do GIs in Argentina correspond to political divisions or terroir characteristics?

A
  • most to date have been political, but some more recently are based on soil and climate eg Paraje Atlamira in San Carlos
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18
Q
  • Percentage of grapes in Argentina labelled GI or DOC which must be in
    1. grown in that area
    2. grown in a vintage if year is on bottle
    3. from single variety if variety mentioned
    4. from 2 or 3 varieties if all mentioned on label
A
  1. grown in that area 100%
  2. grown in a vintage if year is on bottle 85%
  3. from single variety if variety mentioned 85%
  4. from 2 or 3 varieties if all mentioned on label 85%
19
Q

Age requirements for Reserva and Gran Reserva wines in Argentina

A
  • RED Reserva 12mths Gran Reserva 24mths
  • WHITE & ROSE Reserva 6 mths Gran Reserva 12 mths
20
Q

What is the confusing hierarchy of divisions from “regions: (largest) to “GIs within districts” (the smallest)?

A
  • region (eg Cuyo)
  • province (eg Mendoza)
  • sub-region (eg Uco Valley)
  • department (eg San Carlos)
  • district (eg La Consulta)
  • GI inside district (eg Paraje Altamira)
21
Q

one slide overview of Mendoza

A
  • part of large regional Cuyo GI (with San Juan & La Rioja)
  • Mendoza 75% of Argentina vineyard, 2/3 total production
  • black 62%, pinks 22%, white 16% (Malbec 25% total)
  • split into Northern, Eastern, Central, Uco Valley, Southern
  • have distinct regional differences, so often blended
  • vineyards in eastern plains in valley of River Mendoza (500m) up to 1500m in Andes foothills upper Uco Valley
  • Northern and Eastern high volume irrigated by river
  • Central most famous for quality “Primera Zona”
  • Uco Valley 850m to 1500m, cooler, high diurnal
  • Southern (home to San Rafael), cooler, Chenin Blanc
22
Q

one slide on Salta Province

A
  • 24oS most northerly and highest vineyards in Argentina
  • 1500m to 3000M + along Calchaqui River (irrigation)
  • extreme conditions, intense sunlight, high anthocyanins & tannins. Some necessary shade from mountains shortening exposure. Zonda winds make grapeskins thicker and yields lower. Plus wide diurnals = highly concentrated, full-bodied yet v fragrant and fresh
  • Malbec (some Cab Sav, Bonarda, Syrah, Tannat)
  • Torrontes esp in GI Cafayate 1700m extremely aromatic unoaked wines
  • 4th (but small) province, attracting significant investment
23
Q

what are wines for export from La Rioja Province labelled?

A

La Rioja Argentina to avoid confusion with Spanish Rioja

24
Q

who is the single largest producer of Fairtrade certified wines in the world?

A
  • La Riojana co-operative who make high volume inexpensive wines in La Rioja Province north of San Juan in Argentina
    • from grapes grown in Famatina Valley
      • Torrontes
      • Cabernet-Sauvignon
      • Malbec
      • Syrah
25
Q

order the 6 major provinces of Argentina north to south

A
  • Salta (4th largest)
  • La Rioja (3rd)
  • San Juan (2nd)
  • Mendoza (1st : 75% of all plantings)
  • Neuquen (Patagonia)
  • Rio Negro (Patagonia)
26
Q

one slide on Maipú

A
  • lower half of Primera Zona in Central Mendoza
  • e of (upper half) Lujan de Cuyo, on border 900m, but lowers to 600m further e; so warmer sites
  • lots of old vines: intensely fruity, full-bodied Malbecs, with higher alcohol and softer tannins than rest of Mendoza
  • lowest warmest sites make large volumes inexpensive, but also higher quality Cab Sav, Tempranillo, Syrah and old vine Bonarda
27
Q

one slide on Lujan de Cuyo

A
  • s-w of Mendoza city, where river valley emerges from foothills, higher half of Primera Zona in Central Mendoza
  • vines 900-1100m (>50% Malbec), famous old vine Malbec
  • DOC Lujan de Cuyo first DOC in Argentina
  • Within GI Lujan de Cuyo
    • Les Compuertas highest sites (long-aged premium Malbecs, elegant Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)
    • Agrelo in lower clay-soil riper reds with structure, full-bodied Semillon
28
Q

Wine laws for DOC Lujan de Cuyo

A
  • 1st DOC in Argentina
  • wines aged min 2 years at least 12 mths in oak
  • in practice few producers use it and only for Malbec
29
Q

what is the Primera Zone?

A
  • a term for Central Mendoza, because it has the longets history of high quality wine in Argentina
  • base of many of country’s leading producers
  • vienyards 600-1100m producing wide range of wines from different varieties in different styles
    • Malbec main grape
    • Cab Sav, Tempranillo and Syrah
    • Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
30
Q

soils of Argentina

A
  • mainly on alluvial soils deposited by rivers from Andes
  • larger stones with calcareous deposits higher altitude
  • middle are gravel, sands and silts
  • lower areas depper loamy-clay, rich in nutrients
  • dry, continental climate, so little organic matter from decomposed flora and fauna, so soils particularly poor higher altitude: optimal for low yields/ high quality grapes
  • now calcareous soils found in Gualtallary and Paraje Altmira in Uco Valley and in Pedernal Valley in San Juan - high quality wine
31
Q

one slide on Uco Valley

A
  • highest vineyards in Mendoza (800-1500m) in Andes foothills straddling valleys of Tunuyan River
  • high altitude and higher latitude (esp than eg Salto) means cooler temps/ wider diurnal range
  • wine tourism: Argentina’s Napa. Potential great quality - huge investment, vineyards doubled this century
  • dominated by Malbec, but belief great white potential
  • most modern/ technical vineyards - drip irrigation
  • GI Valle de Uco three departments with own GIs: Tupungato, Tunuyan, San Carlos
32
Q

one slide on Tupungato

A
  • GI department within Uco Valley, highest, most north, at foot of Mount Tupungato volcano
  • fresh, full bodied Malbec, Cab Sav, Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc
  • famous district Gualtallary (will soon be GI)
    • 1100-1600m long, narrow strip with distinctive limestone soils, producing complex wines
    • Malbec lighter in body/ higher acidity with red and black fruit and herbal characteristic
    • blends of Malbec & Cab Sav common
    • Catena Zapata Adrianna vineyards here
33
Q

one slide on San Carlos

A
  • GI department within Uco Valley, most south
  • old vine Malbec, Cab-Sav & (warmer, lower) Syrah
  • includes GI of Paraje Altamira
    • based on alluvial fan, esp high calcium carbonate and stony topsoil
    • 1000-1200m
    • intense v high quality Malbec (fuller bodied than Gualtallary, as lower altitude, but ageworthy)
    • producers Catena Alta, Trapiche
34
Q

one slide on San Juan province

A
  • north of Mendoza <1/3 size, 2nd biggest vine area
  • 600m-1500m, lower sites hotter, low diurnal
  • Bad news, unlike rest of Argentina shrinking as unfashionable cheap pink varieties,
  • Good news, Syrah, now twice the area of Malbec
  • GI Pedernal Valley 1250-1500m
    • borders Mendoza, high diurnal, higher acidity, fresher wines
35
Q

one slide on Torrontes

A
  • Argentina’s indigenous grape,
  • Torrontes Riojano (the best of the 3 Torrontes)
  • 18th C native cross of Muscat of Alexandria/ Criolla Chica
  • vigorous, high yield, early ripening, so often over-ripe (alcoholic, strong Muscat floral,lacking acidity, bitter finish)
  • improved grape-growing/wine-making eg reduced yields, earlier harvesting, careful ferment temp control means lemon, grapefruit, peach, less floral, alcohol & fresher
  • Cafayate in Salta best, but also cool, high Uco Valley
  • single variety, drink young, but some use small oak, blend with Sauvignon Blanc. Even sweet, late harvest.
36
Q

one slide on wine-making in Argentina

A
  • greatly influenced by Spanish, Frence & Italian immigrants of 19th and early 20thC, traditionally fermented /matured large oak, sometimes hint of oxidation
  • foreign invest/ winemakers brought international style (ie later harvest, temp-controlled ferment, maturation in new French oak for full-bodied, ripe, fruity, oak-prominent
  • now fresher fruit, higher acid, lower alcohol
  • natural ferment, whole berry, gentle extraction, varied maturation vessels, often blending different parcels
  • growth of super-premium (Catena Zapata, Achaval Ferrer)
  • good dry Malbec rosés made on purpose not by-product
37
Q

one slide on Patagonia

A
  • furthest south, lower vineyards, longer growing days (latitude), very dry (200mm rain pa)
  • high quality wines from Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Merlot, Semillon, Chardonnay, even Riesling
  • Rio Negro province (main production)
    • 100 yrs history, old vines esp Semillon, Pinot Noir, Malbec, vineyards 180-270m. Elegant, balanced wines (incl Merlot, Sauv-Blanc, Riesling
  • Neuquén province
    • new this C, small as only where Neuquen river joins Negro river. Warm, arid, riper Malbec, PN, Merlot, SB
38
Q

Wine sales of Argentina

A
  • 2017 nearly 12m hL (6th largest) producer, exporting 2mhL
  • 80% wine is domestic market
  • main exports - US (27%) UK (15%) Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, Netherland
  • 60% of exports is single varietal Malbec
  • exports half their peak 2008 (when peso weak)
39
Q

Argentina’s peak export volumes were in 2008 at 4m hL, twice what they are now, and peak export value was in 2012 at over $900m.

Why?

A
  • weak peso in 2000s, Malbec huge, esp in US
  • dramatic inflation, increase in production costs
  • low yields in 2016 (El Nino heavy rains) and 2017 (frost)
  • government restrictions on foreign land ownership slowed vital foreign investment (lifted with new government in 2016)
  • domestic consumption (80% sales) dropped from 90L head in 1970 to 20L in 2017, tendency to drink less, but higher quality
40
Q

What are the key challenges to Wines of Argentina

A
  • reliance on Malbec (60% exports), therefore both producers/ marketing seek to diversify range/ image
  • modernise Argentinian wine image to attract millennials
41
Q

what is COVIAR in Argentina?

A
  • organisation bringing together national and local governments, growers, producers and professional bodies to oversee “Strategy 2020” which aims to promote Argentinian wine both on domestic and export markets
  • Wines of Argentina are a promotional body with similar aims who organise World Malbec Day etc
42
Q

Growers and producers in Argentina

A
  • 60% vineyards 5ha or less
  • many family owned
  • some small growers make wine, many sell to larger producers eg Bodega Catena Zapata, Familia Zuccardi
  • at other end of scale, FeCoViTa (29 co-ops) and Grupo Penaflor (owns Trapiche, Finca Las Moras +) are among world’s highest volume producers
  • considerable foreign investment in Argentinian wine from France, Spain, Italy and Chile
43
Q

similarities between Chile’s and Aregentina’s early wine years

A
  • both 1550 first recorded vineyard (Spanish settlers)
  • both 1816 independence from Spain, attracted immigrants and vines from Spain, Italy, France
  • both (Chile 1830s, Argentina 1851) viticultural research centre - important European grapes pre phylloxera
  • this encouraged significant European immigration of those who lost livelihoods to it in late 1800s
  • both big business of inexpensive domestic wines by early 20th C

WSET Diploma 3 Wines of the World (39 decks)

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