Argentina

Question 1

What is the climate of Argentina?

Answer 1

Continental

Question 2

What is the Zonda?

Answer 2

A fierce and hot afternoon wind in Argentina that blows down from the mountains in late spring and early summer. Can adversely affect flowering

Question 3

What are Argentina’s most planted white grapes?

Answer 3

Pedro Giménez

Torrontés

Chardonnay

Chenin Blanc

Question 4

What are Argentina’s most planted red grapes?

Answer 4

Malbec

Bonarda

Cabernet Sauvignon

Syrah

Merlot

Tempranillo

Question 5

What does Reserva mean in Argentina?

Answer 5

Minimum 6 months of aging for white wine

Minimum 1 year aging for red

Does NOT have to be oak!

Question 6

What does Gran Reserva mean in Argentina?

Answer 6

Minimum 1 year of aging for white wine

Minimum 2 years aging for red

Does NOT have to be oak!

Question 7

What is Center Region?

Answer 7

An indicacion geográfica in Argentina

Question 8

What is Cuyo?

Answer 8

A large region – an indicacion geográfica – in Argentina that includes the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan and La Rioja

Question 9

What is the northernmost wine-growing Province in Argentina?

Answer 9

Salta

Question 10

What are the two southernmost provinces in Argentina?

Answer 10

Rio Negro

Neuquén

Both in Patagonia

Question 11

What are the range of Argentina vineyard altitudes?

Answer 11

Salta - 2000m

Most vineyards - >600m

Rio Negro/Neuquén - <600m

Question 12

What training systems are used in Argentina?

Answer 12

Pergola (due to heat), called Parral in Argentina

Still common for Torrontés

Black grapes are often vertically trellised

VSP used especially for high volume inexpensive wines

Question 13

Water management Argentina

Answer 13

Irrigation common

Formerly flood, now drip

Question 14

Weather risks Argentina and how addressed?

Answer 14

Spring frosts (occasionally)

Summer hail (regular hazard, especially Mendoza)

Netting and owning multiple vineyards are solutions used

Question 15

Disease risk Argentina

Answer 15

Few rot and mildew problems due to dryness

Question 16

Bonarda main growing areas

Answer 16

Mendoza

San Juan

Question 17

Torrontés main growing areas

Answer 17

Salta

La Rioja

San Juan

Mendoza

Question 18

Pedro Gimenez

Answer 18

1 planted white in Argentina

White variety in Argentina

Not same as PX

Used in cheap domestic wines

Question 19

La Rioja Argentina

Answer 19

IG in Cuyo IG

3rd largest production area in Argentina

Most wines are labelled as Famatina

Question 20

Famatina Valley

Answer 20

Main vineyard area in La Rioja Argentina

Large volume production

Irrigation

Question 21

What is Mendoza?

Answer 21

A subregion indicacion geográfica in Cuyo IG

Question 22

Mendoza climate

Answer 22

Desert-like

Andes make rain shadow in West

Pampas prevent rain in East

Question 23

Is blending common in Mendoza?

Answer 23

Common

Due to different climates in the 5 main divisions

Question 24

What are the divisions in Mendoza?

Answer 24

Northern

Eastern

Central

Southern

Uco Valley (also an IG)

Question 25

Northern Mendoza wine styles - and why?

Answer 25

High-volume, inexpensive wine Irrigation from Mendoza rivers makes high-volume possible

Question 26

Eastern Mendoza wine styles - and why?

Answer 26

High-volume, inexpensive wine Irrigation from Mendoza rivers makes high-volume possible

Question 27

Luján de Cuyo wine styles - and why?

Answer 27

Department in Central Mendoza Known for excellent Malbec 900-1100m

Question 28

Central Mendoza wine styles - and why?

Answer 28

Premium wine region

Question 29

Maipú - what, where, grapes & styles?

Answer 29

Department in Central Mendoza East of Luján de Cuyo, and at lower altitude CS, Syrah Eastern, lower part makes high-volume, inexpensive wines, but also old vine Bonarda and Tempranillo

Question 30

Uco Valley - what, where, styles & elevation?

Answer 30

A division of Mendoza and a GI Premium wine region 900-1500m (highest vineyards in Mendoza)

Question 31

What is Uco Valley climate?

Answer 31

Diurnal

Question 32

What is Tupungato and what wine does it produce?

Answer 32

Department in Uco Valley and a GI Premium Pinot Noir

Question 33

What is San Rafael, where is it, what grape is it known for?

Answer 33

Department in Southern Mendoza, a GI and a DOC Lower altitude than rest of Mendoza, but also south = one of the coldest areas in Mendoza Chenin Blanc

Question 34

What is Argentina's export situation?

Answer 34

Approximately 20% is exported, primarily to the US. Wine makers should be paying attention to possible decline in popularity of Malbec (it's already off its peak since 2000s.) Domestic market is hugely important, but Argentinians are drinking less / drinking better.

Question 35

What is Patagonia?

Answer 35

A region in Argentina - also a GI

Question 36

Patagonia altitude

Answer 36

200-250m Very low compared to rest of Argentina

Question 37

Patagonia challenges

Answer 37

Strong deserts winds are a challenge

Question 38

Patagonia disease challenges

Answer 38

Low Low rainfall and wide diurnal range

Question 39

Patagonia key grapes

Answer 39

Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir Malbec Merlot

Question 40

Highest vineyards in the world location

Answer 40

Salta Some 3000m

Question 41

Dominant grape Salta

Answer 41

Torrontés (especially in Cafayate)

Question 42

Cafayate - what, where, and what grapes?

Answer 42

A GI in Salta Torrontés Malbec, CS

Question 43

What is the hectares under vine in Argentina? What matters most about growing grapes in Argentina?

Answer 43

200,000 ha under vine Continental climate -- irrigation essential Latitude & altitude matter

Question 44

What do the different geographic designations mean in Argentina?

Answer 44

IP - Indication of Origin - only geographical IG (or GI) - Geographical Indication -- "meets a certain quality made from a geographical area considered capable of producing quality grapes." -> Climate/soil not political boundaries DOC - legislated wine-making criteria. Only 2 - Lujan de Cuyo & San Rafael in Mendoze

Question 45

What areas in Argentina have calcareous soils (and hence make high quality wine)?

Answer 45

UCO VALLEY: - Gualtallary district - Paraje Altamira GI SAN JUAN Pedernal Valley GI