Argentina

Question 1

Start of export in Argentina?

Answer 1

Very high domestic consumption traditionally, but declining in past 50 years
Nicolas Catena started looking at exporting in the 1990s - quality over quantity

Question 2

Climate in Argentina?

Answer 2

Wide diurnal range
Intense sunlight/UV radiation
Continental Climate
Low rainfall
Zonda - dry, powerful spring wind that lowers humidity
Hail + frost issues
El nino

Question 3

Soil in Argentina?

Answer 3

Alluvial
Deeper loam/clay at lower altitude
Poor soils at higher altitude

Question 4

Irrigation in Argentina?

Answer 4

Flood irrigation common - cheap
Network of dams and irrigation channels dating back to the 1500’s
Recent increase in drip irrigation - cheaper for new vineyards and more sustainable

Question 5

Viticulture in Argentina?

Answer 5

High pergola systems (Parral)
- Away from hot ground, shade from sun
Mostly ungrafted vines
Nematodes
Increasing organic, but few certified
Mechanical harvesting increasing due to labor issues

Question 6

What is Cereza?

Answer 6

Historic high-yielding pink variety
Still 20% of total vineyard plantings
Similar to Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica (Pais)

Question 7

Describe Malbec:

Answer 7

20% of plantings
Vigorous
Mid-ripening
Deep-colored
Full-bodied
High, soft tannins
High alcohol
Ripe blackberry, black plum
Can be varied based on altitude
Smaller berries/bunches and softer tannins than French clones

Question 8

Describe Bonarda:

Answer 8

Late ripening
High yielding
Mainly domestic consumption
Deep color
Med+ acid
Med tannin
Med alcohol
Oak overwhelms, so new rarely used

Question 9

Red grape varieties in Argentina?

Answer 9

Malbec
Bonarda
Cab Sauv
Syrah
Tempranillo
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Cab Franc
Petit Verdot/Tannat on the rise

Question 10

Describe Pedro Gimenez:

Answer 10

Most planted white variety
Neutral grape
Mainly domestic consumption
Plantings falling in favor of black grapes

Question 11

Describe Torrontes:

Answer 11

3 different varieties, Torrontes Riojano most common
Cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica
Vigorous, high yielding
Early ripening (over-ripens easily)

Question 12

Tiers of GI’s in Argentina?

Answer 12

Region
Province
Sub Region
Department
District
GI Inside District

Question 13

Labeling laws in Argentina?

Answer 13

Varietal - 85%
Vintage - 85%
GI/DOC - 100%

Question 14

Aging laws in Argentina?

Answer 14

Reserva - 12 months for reds, 6 months for whites/roses
Gran Reserva - 24 months for reds, 12 months for whites/roses

Question 15

Describe Mendoza:

Answer 15

Irrigated by River Mendoza
75% of Argentina vineyard area 67% of production
62% Black, 22% Pink, 16% White
25% Malbec

Question 16

Sub regions of Mendoza:

Answer 16

Northern (bulk)
Eastern (bulk)
Central
Valle de Uco
Southern

Question 17

Describe Central Mendoza:

Answer 17

“Primera Zona”
Contains Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu
Malbec dominates; Cab Sauv, Syrah, Tempranillo

Question 18

Describe Lujan de Cuyo:

Answer 18

Old vine Malbecs and Semillon particularly famous
Home to many districts - Agrelo and Las Compuertas
DOC Lujan de Cuyo was the first
- 24 mo aging requirement, 12 mo in oak

Question 19

Describe Maipu:

Answer 19

Intensely fruity Malbecs with higher alcohol and softer tannins
Old vine Bonarda

Question 20

Describe Uco Valley:

Answer 20

Highest, coolest vineyards in Mendoza
Drip irrigation used
GI Valle de Uco crosses 3 departments: Tupungato, Tunuyan, San Carlos

Question 21

Describe Tupungato:

Answer 21

Mount Tupungato volcano
Malbec, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Pinot Noir
Chard, Sauv Blanc
Famous district: Gualtallary- limestone soils, high quality
Lighter body, higher acid

Question 22

Describe Paraje Altamira:

Answer 22

GI within San Carlos department
Malbec, Cab Sauv, Syrah
More intense, full bodied

Question 23

Describe Southern Mendoza:

Answer 23

Department San Rafael contains majority of vineyards
Summer hailstorms
More medium-bodied reds
Chenin Blanc is signature white

Question 24

Describe San Juan Province:

Answer 24

High-yielding pink varieties
Area under vine decreasing (currently 2nd largest)
Malbec, Bonarda, Syrah common
Contains GI Pedernal Valley

Question 25

Describe La Rioja Province:

Answer 25

High volume reds and whites
Labeled “La Rioja Argentina” for export
Most wine made by La Riojana co-op - single largest producer of Fairtrade certified wines

Question 26

Describe Salta Province:

Answer 26

Vineyards along Calchaqui River (irrigation in desert)
Intense sunlight
Zonda wind
Malbec has herbal/floral notes
GI Cafayate: known for Torrontes

Question 27

Describe Patagonia:

Answer 27

Longer growing season, cooler climate
Low rainfall
Constant wind
Malbec still dominates
Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Merlot, Semillon, Chard, Riesling
Includes Rio Negro and Neuquen provinces

Question 28

Describe Rio Negro Province:

Answer 28

Old vine Semillon, Pinot Noir, and Malbec
Old history of winemaking

Question 29

Describe Neuquen Province:

Answer 29

Newer region (20 years)
Few vineyards
Warmer, arid region
Malbec, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauv Blanc

Question 30

Argentina production and export?

Answer 30

5th largest wine producing country
13mil hL production
USA main export market
MERCOSUR free trade agreement - trade in other Latin America countries

Question 31

Promotional bodies of Argentina?

Answer 31

Wines of Argentina - Organizes Malbec World Day
COVIAR - “Strategy 2020” - promote wine domestically and export