Argentina Flashcards
(93 cards)
1
Q
What helped Argentina’s wine industry through crisis times and how did it become one of the top producing and exporting countries?
A
- High domestic consumption
- Arrival of famous wine consultants
- Weak pesos
2
Q
Climate
What is special about the location of vineyards in Argentina and what are the main climatic influences?
A
- Latitude: 24 to 38°S
- Altitude: 500 to 3,300m
- Combination of altitude and latitude is essential -> altitude moderates high temps at low latitude
- Most vineyards (except Patagonia) are located in the foothills of the Andes in the west of the country
- Still mostly flat or gently sloping sites
3
Q
Climate
What are the effects of altitude on grape growing?
A
- Wide diurnal range
- Cooler night-time temps extend the growing season and help to retain acidity and aromas
- Intense sunlight and high proportion of ultraviolet radiation due to low latitude and high altitude
- -> grapes with higher tannins and anthocyanins
4
Q
Climate
What is the general climate and rainfall? What does it mean for irrigation and diseases?
A
- Mostly continental climate
- Rain shadow of the Andes (sometimes < 200mm)
- Irrigation is essential
- Dry air and strong winds reduce risk of diseases
5
Q
Climate
What are four viticultural hazards?
A
- Zonda wind: hot, dry powerful wind in late spring and early summer
- Effect: lowers humidity, can induce water stress, and can affect flowering and fruit set or damage grapes
- Mitigation: Trees to serve as windbreaks
- Hail:
- Effect: reduces yield significantly
- Mitigation: netting (expensive), different vineyard sites
- Frost
- El Niño: despite protection from the Andes
- Effect: much higher rainfall – and more hailstorms – which can damage crops, significantly increase the risk of disease
6
Q
Soils
Describe the general soil type and the different textures with respect to their altitude
A
- Mostly alluvial soils
- Higher areas: larger stones with calcareous deposits (poor soils, optimal for naturally low yielding vines)
- Middle areas: gravel, sands and silts
- Lower areas: loamy-clay soils (more nutrients)
7
Q
Soils
What type of soil is seen as a source of high quality wines and what are areas where it is found?
A
- Deposits of calcareous soils (poor)
- Gualtallary and Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley
- Pedernal Valley in San Juan
8
Q
Vineyard Management
What is the current area under vine and how was it 50 years ago? Why?
A
- 200,000 ha
- Considerably higher in 1970/80s
- Rapidly falling domestic demand
- Vine-pull scheme
9
Q
Vineyard Management
What is the rainfall, where does the irrigation water come from?
A
- Rainfall is low
- Irrigation from rivers that deliver meltwater from winter snow and glaciers in the Andes
- Water is distributed regularly and can be stored in reservoirs until the wine producer chooses to use it
10
Q
Vineyard Management
What irrigation methods are applied and how?
A
- Flood irrigation common (70% of vineyards)
- Recently more and more drip irrigation as it is cheaper and more sustainable
- Timing of water application: larger amounts in winter and low amounts in the growing season
- -> ensure roots grow deep
- -> vine focuses on fruit development rather than vigorous growth
11
Q
Vineyard Management
What is the most common training system and why? What is increasingly used?
A
- High pergola system
- Raise grapes away from heat of the ground and provide shade for the fruit
- Esp. used for varieties in warmer areas that need shade (Torrontés) and/or have high vigor (Criolla Grande and Chica, Cereza and Pedro Giménez)
- VSP is increasingly used: allows for modern canopy management and drip irrigation
12
Q
Vineyard Management
Comment on phylloxera and grafting
A
- Phylloxera not a major problem
- Grafting is increasingly used to get, e.g., tolerance to drought
13
Q
Vineyard Management
How high is the risk of fungal diseases and what does it mean for organic and biodynamic viticulture? How is the adoption?
A
- Low risk of fungal disease -> little spraying needed
- Ideal for organic and biodynamic viticulture (adoption still low)
14
Q
Vineyard Management
How is harvest typically conducted?
A
- Traditionally: harvested by hand by casual labourers
- Recently: more mechanical harvesting due to higher costs of living
15
Q
Grape Varieties
What is the precentage of black varieties?
A
53%
16
Q
Grape Varieties
What are the most planted grape varieties (in descending order)?
A
- Malbec
- Pink criolla varieties
- Bonarda
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Pedro Giménez (white)
- Torrontés (white)
- Chardonnay (white)
17
Q
Grape Varieties
What grapes did traditionally dominate plantings?
A
- High-yielding pink criolla varieties for inexpensive wines for domestic market
- Cereza
- Criolla Grande
- Criolla Chica (known as País in Chile)
18
Q
Grape Varieties - Malbec
How much of vineyard area is planted to Malbec (%) and how is the trend?
A
- 20%
- Almost 5-fold increase in 20 years
19
Q
Grape Varieties - Malbec
Describe the grape’s vigor and ripening time
A
- High vigor
- Mid-ripening
20
Q
Grape Varieties - Malbec
What style of Malbec is hugely successful on the export market? (color, aromas, body, tannins, alcohol)
A
- Deep color
- Ripe blackberry and black plum
- Full body
- High but soft tannins
- High alcohol
21
Q
Grape Varieties - Malbec
In what wines is the variety mostly used?
A
- Single varietal
- Blends (e.g., with Bordeaux varieties)
- Rosé
22
Q
Grape Varieties - Malbec
Describe the style of Malbec from cooler sites (aromas, acidity, tannins, alcohol) and compare to one from a warmer site
A
- Cooler sites (e.g. high altitude or relatively high latitudes)
- Fresh red and black fruit and floral or herbal aromas
- Medium(+) acidity
- Firm, medium(+) tannins
- Lower alcohol
- Warmer sites (e.g. relatively low altitudes and latitudes)
- Riper fruit
- Lower acidity
- Fuller-bodied
- Softer tannins
23
Q
Grape Varieties - Malbec
Describe the difference between Malbec clones used in Argentina vs. France
A
Argentina: smaller berries and bunches and softer tannins compared to France
24
Q
Grape Varieties - Bonarda
What is the ripening time and where is it, hence, mostly planted?
A
- Late-ripening
- San Juan and warmer areas in Mendoza
25
**Grape Varieties - Bonarda**
Describe the typical style (color, aromas, acidity, tannin, alcohol, oak)
* Deep color
* Red and black fruit flavors
* Medium(+) acidity
* Medium tannins
* Medium alcohol
* Mostly only large and/or old oak
26
**Grape Varieties - Bonarda**
What range of wines can the variety produce and how does it compare to Malbec in terms of success?
* Inexpensive if yields are not limited
* More complex and structured wines if yields are limited
* -> Still mostly consumed domestically
27
**Grape Varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon**
How is it used?
* Typically in blends with Malbec
* Increasingly as single varietal
28
**Grape Varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon**
What is different in the aromas compared to styles from other countries
No marked herbaceous character
29
**Grape Varieties - Syrah**
Where is it mostly planted and describe the typical style (aromas, body, alcohol). How do wines from cooler areas compare to that?
* **Hotter sites** of Mendoza and San Juan (mostly planted)
* Ripe, black fruit flavors
* Full body
* High alcohol
* **Cooler areas**
* Fresher fruit
* More elegant
* Firmer tannins
30
**Grape Varieties**
What other black varieties are grown?
* Tempranillo
* Merlot
* Pinot Noir
* Cabernet Franc
* Petit Verdot
* Tannat
31
**Red Winemaking**
What was the previous style and how are wines increasingly made today?
* **Previously**
* Later harvesting
* Temperature-controlled fermentation
* Maturation in new oak barrels (prominent oak flavors)
* **Nowadays**
* Earlier harvest for fresher fruit, higher acidity and lower alcohol
* Experiments with natural fermentation, whole bunch/berry fermentation, gentler extraction techniques and maturation in a variety of vessels
32
**Grape Varieties**
What is the most grown white variety? Describe its characteristics (aromatic) and for what types of wines it is used
* **Pedro Giménez**
* Relatively neutral variety
* Used to produce simple, inexpensive wines for domestic consumption
* Recently: high-quality white wines from coolest areas (e.g., Uco Valley)
33
**Grape Varieties - Torrontés**
Where does the variety come from?
Native, natural cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica
34
**Grape Varieties - Torrontés**
Describe aromatics, vigor and ripening time
* Strong floral aromas (from Muscat)
* Vigorous
* Early ripening (tends to get overly alcoholic and lacking acidity if not controlled)
35
**Grape Varieties - Torrontés**
Where are high quality examples grown and what are measures to get higher quality wines?
* Cafayate (Salta) or cooler, higher vineyards, e.g., Uco Valley
* Reducing yields, earlier harvesting and careful temperature control during fermentation
36
**Grape Varieties - Chardonnay**
Where do high quality examples come from and what is the typical style? (aromas, acidity, oak)
* Cool sites in the Uco Valley
* Ripe stone and tropical fruit
* Medium(+) to high acidity
* Matured in oak with some proportion of new oak (subtle spice notes)
37
**Grape Varieties**
What other white varieties are grown?
* Sémillon
* Chenin Blanc
* Sauvignon Blanc
* Viognier
38
**Wine Law and Regulations**
Describe the three-tier system of geographical indicators. Which category is rarely used?
* **IP** (Indicación de Procedencia)
* **IG** (or GI, Indicación Geográfica): wines that meet a certain quality made from a specific geographical area
* **DOC**: wines from a specific geographical area with legislated winemaking criteria (so far only Luján de Cuyo and San Rafael in Mendoza)
39
**Wine Law and Regulations**
Labeling - Describe the requirements for GI and DOC wines in terms of % of varieties from the region, from the vintage, single varietal, two or three varieties.
* 100% from the region
* 85% from the vintage
* 85% from the single variety
* 85% together from the two or three varieties
40
**Wine Law and Regulations**
What are the maturation times for Reserva and Gran Reserva for red, white, and rosé wines?
* **Reserva** red: min 12 months
* **Reserva** white/rosé: min 6 months
* **Gran Reserva** red: min 24 months
* **Gran Reserva** white/rosé: min 12 months
41
What are the five main regions (north to south)
* Salta
* La Rioja
* San Juan
* Mendoza
* Patagonia
42
What provinces form a large regional GI called "Cuyo"
* La Rioja
* San Juan
* Mendoza
43
**Mendoza Province**
How large is it? (vineyard area and production in %)
* 75% of vineyards area
* 2/3 of production
44
**Mendoza Province**
Where are vineyards located?
* Base and foothill of the Andes
* Valley of the River Mendoza -> irrigation water
* 500 to 1,500m altitude
45
**Mendoza Province**
What is the dominant grape variety (%) and what overall percentage of black, pink and white grapes is grown?
* Malbec (25%)
* Black (62%)
* Pink (22%)
* White (16%)
46
**Mendoza Province**
In what five general divisions can the vineyard are be split? (which of them is the only GI?)
* Northern
* Eastern
* Central
* Uco Valley (GI)
* Southern
47
**Mendoza Province - Northern and Eastern Mendoza**
Where are vineyards located, what are the general climatic conditions and what styles of wines are resultingly produced?
* Low lying plains (500 to 700m)
* Irrigation from rivers
* Warmer conditions
* Large volumes of inexpensive wine
* Some higher quality from lower-yielding vineyards (esp. from Tempranillo and Bonarda
48
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza**
What is the reputation of this region? Where are vineyards located and what are the dominant varieties?
* Longest history of producing high-quality wine with many of the country’s leading producers located there
* 600 to 1,100m
* Malbec (dominant), Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo
49
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza**
What are the two most prestigious departments?
* Luján de Cuyo
* Maipú
50
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza - Luján de Cuyo**
Where are vineyards located and what variety covers over half of the vineyards?
* 900 to 1,100m
* Malbec (known for old vines)
51
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza - Luján de Cuyo**
What are the requirements for DOC Luján de Cuyo?
* Min 24 months ageing, thereof min 12 months in oak
* Only very few use it, typically only for Malbec
52
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza - Luján de Cuyo**
Name two well known smaller district-level GIs
* Las Compuertas
* Agrelo
53
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza - Luján de Cuyo**
Describe the typical style of Malbec and other Bordeaux varieties from the highest vineyards in the area (e.g., Las Compuertas) (aromas, acidity, body, tannins, ageing, price)
* Fruity
* Medium(+) acidity
* Full body
* Firm tannins
* Considerable ageing potential
* Often command premium prices and above
54
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza - Luján de Cuyo**
What other wines are produced in the highest vineyards in the area (e.g., Las Compuertas)
Elegant, balanced wines from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
55
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza - Luján de Cuyo**
Describe the typical style of red wines from lower clay-soil vineyards (e.g., Agrelo) (aromas, quality, ageing)
* Riper fruit
* Very good to outstanding quality
* Ageing potential
56
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza - Luján de Cuyo**
What other wines are produced from lower clay-soil vineyards (e.g., Agrelo)
Fruity, full-bodied whites, particularly from Sémillon
57
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza - Maipú**
What is the altitude and climate of vineyards
* 600 to 900m
* Warmer
58
**Mendoza Province - Central Mendoza - Maipú**
What is the typical style of wine (variety, aromas, body, tannin, alcohol) and what two qualities of wines are produced?
* Malbec
* Intensely fruity
* Full body
* Softer tannins
* Higher alcohol
* **Lowest, warmest sites**: large volumes of inexpensive wines
* **Higher-quality** Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Syrah and old vine Bonarda
59
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley**
What are the climatic influences and what is the influence on grape growing and final wines (color, aromas, potential alcohol, acidity, tannin, quality)
* 850 to 1,500m altitude
* Cooler temps and a wider diurnal range
* Deep color
* Fresh fruit flavors
* Slower sugar accumulation
* Retain acidity
* Ripe tannins
* Huge quality potential
60
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley**
What varieties dominate plantings?
Black varieties, esp. Malbec
61
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley**
What additional GIs are within the Uco Valley?
* Tupungato
* Tunuyán
* San Carlos
62
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley - Tupungato**
Where is it located and what wines does it produce?
* Most northerly and highest departments
* Fresh but full-bodied reds from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir
* Crisp, elegant whites from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
63
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley - Tupungato**
What is the most recognized district?
Gualtallary
64
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley - Tupungato - Gualtallary**
Where are vineyards located and what is the soil?
* 1,100 to 1,600m
* Distinctive limestone soils
65
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley - Tupungato - Gualtallary**
What types of wines are produced? (aromas, acidity, body, varities)
* Red and black fruit with often herbal notes
* Higher acidity
* Lighter body
* Blends of Malbec and Cabernet Franc are also common
66
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley - Tunuyán**
Where are vineyards located and what are different wines produced based on location?
* Wider range of altitudes
* **Lower and warmer**: fuller-bodied, structured yet fruity red wines
* **Higher and cooler sites**: premium white wines and Pinot Noir
67
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley - San Carlos**
What is the department known for? (incl. varieties)
* Old vine plantings and high quality reds
* Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and, in the lower, warmer areas, Syrah
68
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley - San Carlos**
Where are vineyards located and how does that influence the style of wine compared to Gualtallary? (intensity, body, ageing)
* 1,100-1,200m altitude (lower than Gualtallary)
* More intense, fuller-bodied
* Can age well (acidity and tannin)
69
**Mendoza Province - Uco Valley - San Carlos**
What GI does it include and what is the GI known for?
* **Paraje Altamira**
* High presence of calcium carbonate and a stony topsoil
70
**Mendoza Province - Southern Mendoza**
In what department are most vineyards located?
San Rafael
71
**Mendoza Province - Southern Mendoza - San Rafael**
Where are vineyards located and what is the influence on grape growing? (potential alcohol, acidity, hazards)
* Lower altitude (450-850m)
* More southerly latitude
* Cooler and longer summers
* Slower sugar accumulation
* Good acid retention
* Prone to summer hailstorms
72
**Mendoza Province - Southern Mendoza - San Rafael**
What are the most grown grapes and what is the general reputation?
* Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Bonarda
* Chenin Blanc (signature white grape)
* Lower reputation than other Mendoza provinces
73
**San Juan Province**
How does its size compare to other regions in Argentina?
Second largest, but still only a third of Mendoza
74
**San Juan Province**
At what altitudes are vineyards located and what different styles does it produce? (incl. varieties)
* 600 to 1,500m
* **Lower sites**: hotter than much of Mendoza with lower diurnal range
* Inexpensive wines, mostly from high-yielding pink varieties
* **Higher sites**: higher-quality wines
* Syrah (most planted), Malbec and Bonarda
75
**San Juan Province**
What is a prominent GI, where are vineyards located and what types of wines does it produce? (aromas, acidity)
* Pedernal Valley
* 1,250-1,500m
* Wines with fresher fruit and higher acidity
76
**La Roja Province**
What is the province known for (style, varieties) and who produces most of it?
* High-volume, inexpensive wines
* Torrontés, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah
* La Riojana co-operative
77
**Salta Province**
What is the trend?
Attracting significant investments from within and outside of Argentina
78
**Salta Province**
Where are vineyards located and what are climatic influences and the effect on grape growing?
* Along the valley of the Calchaquí River (important for irrigation)
* Latitude: 24° to 26°S
* Altitude: 1,500 to over 3,000m
* Very intense sunlight -> high levels of anthocyanins and tannins
* Shade from mountains
* Strong zonda wind
* -> Thicker skins and lower yields
* Highly concentrated, fragrant, fresh and full-bodied wines
79
**Salta Province**
What is the dominant variety and what is the typical style (aromas, acidity, body, alcohol)?
* **Malbec**
* Ripe black fruit, with distinctive herbal or floral notes
* Medium(+) acidity
* Full body
* High alcohol
80
**Salta Province**
What other varieties besides Malbec are grown?
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Bonarda
* Syrah
* Tannat
81
**Salta Province**
What is the principal white variety and what GI is well known for it, where are vineyards located and what is the typical style of the final wine (aromatic, oak)?
* **Torrontés**
* GI Cafayate
* Altitude: 1,700m
* Aromatic, usually un-oaked wines
82
**Patagonia Province**
Where is the region and are vineyards located? What are climatic influences and rainfall?
* Around 700km south of Mendoza City
* Latitude: 38° to 39°S
* Altitude: Up to 400m (much lower)
* Lower temps
* Less intense sunlight
* Longer growing season
* Low rainfall (< 200mm) -> irrigation is essential
83
**Patagonia Province**
What is the most planted variety and what other varieties does it have a reputation for?
* **Malbec** (most planted)
* High-quality wines from
* Pinot Noir
* Cabernet Franc
* Merlot
* Sémillon
* Chardonnay
* Riesling
84
**Patagonia Province**
What potential hazards exist?
* Constant winds
* Help to produce healthy and thick-skinned grapes
* Can disrupt flowering and damage vines
85
**Patagonia Province**
What are the two most important provinces within Patagonia?
* Río Negro (most production)
* Neuquén (small number of wineries)
86
**Patagonia Province - Río Negro Province**
At what altitudes are vineyards located, what does it have major plantings of and from what varieties does it produce wines?
* Mostly at around 180-270m
* Significant stocks of old vines, mostly Sémillon, Pinot Noir and Malbec
* Elegant, well-balanced Pinot Noir, Malbec, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling
87
**Patagonia Province - Neuquén Province**
How large is the province, what is the rough climate and what styles of wines from what varieties are produced?
* Only a small number of vineyards
* Slightly warmer, more arid area
* Riper styles of wine
* Malbec, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc
88
**Wine Business**
How much wine does it produce compared to other countries?
* 5th largest wine producing country
* 13 mn hL
89
**Wine Business**
How much is exported and what are main export markets?
* 20%
* USA, UK, Spain, Canada, Brazil
90
**Wine Business**
Describe the trend in exports
* Dramatically increased between 2000 and 2008 due to weak peso
* Decreased more then 25% since then
91
**Wine Business**
What is the most exported wine?
* Single varietal Malbec
* 60% of exports
92
**Wine Business**
What businesses are mainly involved?
* Many family-owned wineries, smaller growers, and small avg. vineyard sizes
* Some of the world's highest-volume producers
93
**Wine Business**
What is the trend regarding investments?
Significant investments in the last decades, esp. from France, Spain, Italy, and Chile
