Argentina

Question 1

Location

Answer 1

• Mendoza: Uco Valley and San Rafael (by far largest producer)
• Patagonia: Rio Negro and Neuquen (southernmost)(lower in alt than Mendoza)
• District of San Jose in Tupungato (combination of sunny days and cool nights make for perfect growing conditions)

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

• not ideal of fizz but the high altitudes and southern latitudes help w/ cooling influences
• vineyards run along base of the Andes between 2600-3900ft
• this alt. is what moderates the hot dry climate of the region
• warm sunny days followed by cooler nights thanks to the westerly winds off the andes
• cooling off period slows ripening, extending the growing season achieving rich, ripe flavors that do not come at the expense of acidity

Question 3

Grapes

Answer 3

• most premium made w/ Chardonnay and PN but there is some Chenin Blanc used

Question 4

Viticulture

Answer 4

• irrigation facilitated by rivers in the regino
• dry and warm harvest periods means the farmers can pick when ripe and not worry about having to pick due to weather concerns
• reduces the vintage variation and keeps this consistent
• predictable harvests allow for control over the styles fo wine they produce

Question 5

Vinification

Answer 5

• classic grapes used for traditional method
• for tank method, the aromatic torrontes is used (local favorite)
• some also made w/ Viognier
• many use Tank / Charmat method

Question 6

Styles

Answer 6

• little Rose is made

- most important is the Extra Brut

Question 7

Trade Structures

Answer 7

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Question 8

Marketplace

Answer 8

• Chandon is the market leader
• don’t export much as the dominance of the European operators wouldn’t want to confuse the marketplace
• less than 1% of chilean wine exports are fizz
• Traditional method wines from Torres, Vina Leyda and Concha y Toro
• 1960, first international venture by Moet & Hennesy to create Bodegas Chandon
• Spanish houses have also come in like Friexenet and Codorniu
• Chandon is still the quality and quantity leader
• seen a boost in some homegrown Espumante

Question 9

Uco Valley

Answer 9

• most of the grapes are sourced from the high alt vineyards here.
• Mendoza overall is too hot for premium wine making
• for cooler weather, need to go to the altitudes
• can’t go too high though as the intensity of the sunlight is too much
• so to battle that, producers push the limits of the latitude in which they plant grapes
• benefit from high daytime temps and cool nights
• located at 33 degrees latitude
• grapes produce balanced sugars and acidity while achieving phenolic ripeness
• chardonnay and torrontes are best here as the climate allows for a slower ripening period
• dry continental w/ little rain so irrigation is a must
• soils are alluvial, clay and rock w/ stony sandy surface
• free draining and really stress the vine
• decreases vigor and lowering yield producing highly concentrated grapes

Question 10

San Rafael

Answer 10

• center of mendoza
• alt. not as big of a player here
• within the mountains rain shadow
• semi arid
• sandy alluvial soils
• irrigated by the snowpack
• wines here are rich and complex, higher sugars and tannins

Question 11

Rio Negro

Answer 11

• most southerly
• cool climate
• PN does well here
• mountain and ocean have little affect on the viticulture, it’s the river that does
• dry climate
• hot summers and cold winters
• alt is very low yet high diurnal swings again lengthening the growing season for longer consistent ripening
• mostly alluvial w/ some limestone
• need to watch irrigation so as to keep the vines struggling

Question 12

Neuquen

Answer 12

• good for PN
• viticultural area different from the rest
• low altitudes yet climate is significantly cooler
• strong desert winds and hot sun combine to provide the right temps for vines
• warm sunny days followed by brisk desert nights
• diurnal variation is what extends the growing season
• stony alliuvial soils, well drained
• concerntraion and deep roots

Question 13

SOils

Answer 13

• Andean
• rocky sandy soils w/ little organic matter
• free draining, dry and low in fertility
• perfect for growing grapes
• produce small concerntrated berries because they are forced to work hard for hydration and nutrients
• wines produced often highly structured, firm w/ tannins, and distinct minerality

Question 14

Patagonia

Answer 14

• desert and viticulture only possible if near the rivers
• warm days and cold nights extending the growing season
• slowly ripens the grapes, retaining acidity and retaining the rich varietal character
• cooler in climate and lower latitude, it’s warmed up by La Zonda which is a wind created in the eastern slopes of the andes
• brings warm air and aids in bud-break
• vines stressed year round by these winds
• alluvial soils are free draining creating smaller berries w/ thick skins
• higher concentration of sugars, acids and tannins
• winds reduce the risk of vine disease however they can also damage new vines
• PN shows great herealong with Chardonnay