Argentina Flashcards
(45 cards)
What is the main natural feature of Argentina wine country?
Andes Mountains
Andes creates rain shadow in Argentina
What is the distance between the northernmost and the southernmost vineyards of Argentina?
1,500 Km separate Salta province and Neuquén in Patagonia.
The Salta province in Argentina is located at a latitude inhospitable (read: too hot) for grape growing.
How do Argentinian wine growers produce wine in this region?
Most vineyards are at high altitude (600+ meters), some as high as 2000m above the sea level.
What is the training system in Argentina?
Why?
Pergola system, known locally as Parral.
・Situated high off the ground, lifted the grapes away from the searing heat close to the ground.
・The canopy protects clusters from the hot sun and ensures shade for the grapes.
What grape variety is still grown using the Parral trellising system?
Today most black/red grapes are trellised using ___.
Torrontés
VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning).
However the canopy still need to be arranged so that grapes are shaded from the intense sunshine.
Is the rainfall in Argentina high or low?
Are vine growers allowed to irrigate their vineyards?
・Rainfall in Argentina is low thanks to the rain shadow of the Andes.
・Yes, irrigation is a must in Argentina.
Water can be drawn from rivers flowing down from the mountains or from subterranean aquifers.
What forms of irrigation are used in Argentina?
Flood irrigation - used to be more common but is less so today;
Drip irrigation - more efficient; more common in newer vineyards.
What are the weather hazards facing Argentinian vineyards?
Spring Frost
Summer Hail - a lot of producers use netting to protect their vineyards
What is the benefit of Argentina’s lack of rain and arid climate?
Low fungal disease pressure
What are the 3 most planted red varieties in Argentina?
1 Malbec (most planted)
2 Bonarda (second most planted)
3 Cabernet Sauvignon
Tempranillo and Pinot Noir
Malbec
1,3,5,7,8,10
1 Deeply coloured
3 Full bodied (Lower altitude is richier)
5 High levels of smooth tannin
7 Black fruit (Lower altitude has richier black fruit. Higher altitude has more floral aromas).
8 Most high quality wines are matured in new oak = subtle spicy aromas
10 Mostly single but sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Bonarda
1,4,5
When grown at high yields, Bonarda produces ___ wines with ___ colour and ___ aromas.
When yields are controlled and the fruit is allowed to ripen fully, it can produce wines of ___.
1 Medium to deeply coloured
4 High acidity
5 High tannin
early drinking
medium to deeply
fruity raspberry and black berry
greater concentration and structure
Bonarda is mainly grown in ___.
Mendoza and San Juan
What are the 4 most important wine production provinces of Argentina?
Mendoza (most important)
San Juan (2nd most important)
La Rioja Province (3rd most important)
Salta (highest elevation)
Some of the best examples of Argentinean Torrontés come from high-elevation vineyards in this department located within this Province.
3,4,7,12
Cafayate department within the Salta Province
3 Medium body
4 Medium acidity
7 Intense fruity, floral perfume
Stone fruit and melon.
12 Fermented in inert, temperature-controlled vessels.
Released from the winery in the year of harvest.
White varieties in Argentina
Pedro Gimenez (Most planted white grape variety in Argentina)
Chardonnay
Chinin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Viognier
Pedro Gimenez Quality
Low quality
Cheap wines for the domestic market.
What is the northernmost province or region of production in Argentina?
Salta province – it’s near the Bolivian border
Some of the best examples of Argentinean Torrontés come from high-elevation vineyards in this department located within this Province.
Cafayate department within the Salta Province
Torrontés from Cafayate is highly aromatic
Black grape varieties in Cafayate
Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the third largest area of production of Argentina?
La Rioja Province, which is located just south of the Salta.
What is the principal vineyard area in La Rioja Province?
Famatina Valley
Where are vineyards in Famatina planted on?
Large volumes of grapes can be planted on Irrigated valley floors
Grape varieties in Famatina
Torrontes (Speciality of this province)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Bonarda
