Argentina

Question 1

Describe the Mendoza province.

Answer 1

Vast majority of wine made here
Desert conditions
Grapes made from 5 divisions often blended together

Important areas:
- Lujan de Cuyo
- Maipu
- Uco Valley

Question 2

What are the 5 divisions in the Mendoza province?

Answer 2

North Mendoza
East Mendoza
Central Mendoza
Uco Valley
Southern Mendoza

Question 3

Describe the wines from the North and East Mendoza divisions.

Answer 3

Wine is high volume and inexpensive

Question 4

Describe the wines from the Central Mendoza division.

Answer 4

High quality, long history of winemaking
Contains Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu

Lujan de Cuyo
- Old vines in foothills of Andes
- Grape: Malbec

Maipu
- Grapes: Cab Sauv, Syrah
- Also makes inexpensive wines from Bonarda & Tempranillo

Question 5

Describe the wines from the Uco Valley division.

Answer 5

Highest vineyards in Mendoza
High quality
Cool nights to retain acidity, can keep floral notes in wines

Grapes: Chardonnay, Torrontes, Sauv Blanc, Malbec, Cab Sauv, Tempranillo, Merlot

Question 6

Describe wines from the Southern Mendoza division.

Answer 6

Cool from latitude

Grape: Chenin Blanc

Question 7

Describe the San Juan province.

Answer 7

Similar altitude to Mendoza
Grape: Syrah (+Malbec, Cab Sauv, Bonarda)

Question 8

Describe the Patagonia region.

Answer 8

Cooled by latitude, not altitude
Includes the Rio Negro and Neuquen provinces.

Question 9

Describe the Salta province.

Answer 9

Northern most vineyard
High altitude

Includes Cafayate region
Grape: Torrontes (+Malbec, Cab Sauv)

Question 10

Describe the La Rioja province.

Answer 10

Irrigated valley floors
Famatina is main region
Wines generally labelled “Famatina” to avoid confusion with Spain’s La Rioja

Grape: Torrontes (+Cab Sauv, Syrah, Bonarda)

Question 11

Describe the climate and grape growing of Argentina.

Answer 11

Most vineyards are close to Andes in irrigated oases
Historically planted with pergola system
Many vineyards now use vertical trellises
Altitude and latitude are cooling factors

Question 12

Describe irrigation techniques for Argentina.

Answer 12

Most vineyards in rain shadow of Andes
Water is drawn from rivers and subterranean aquifers
Flood irrigation and drip irrigation also used

Question 13

What environmental factors do vineyards in Argentina face?

Answer 13

Spring frost is an occasional problem
Summer hail is a regular hazard
Producers use nets or plant pockets of grapes geographically apart
Drought issue without proper irrigation

Question 14

Describe wines made from Torrontes in Argentina.

Answer 14

Signature white wine, planted all over
Med body, med acid, stone fruit, melon, fruity, floral

Aromatic variety so fermented in inert, temp controlled vessels

Best varieties come from high altitude

Question 15

Describe wines made from Malbec in Argentina.

Answer 15

Grape grown all throughout Argentina
Usually varietal wine

In lower altitudes, wine is fully body, rich black fruit
In higher altitudes, wine is more elegant, fresher, floral

Question 16

Describe wines made from Bonarda in Argentina.

Answer 16

2nd most planted grape
Late ripening
Made in variety of styles (low yield vs. high yield)

Wine is high acid, high tannin, deep color, red and black fruit