Argentina

Question 1

In Argentina, the hot afternoon wind that blows down from the mountains in the late spring and early summer

Answer 1

Zonda

Question 2

Bodegas Chacra focuses their production primarily on what grape?

Answer 2

Pinot noir

Question 3

The first commercial vineyard in Argentina was planted in which century?

Answer 3

17th

Question 4

Which region in Argentina borders Bolivia?

Answer 4

Salta

Question 5

What is the most planted white grape in Argentina?

Answer 5

Pedro Giménez.
A white wine grape,
grown predominantly in the Mendoza wine region,
Declining in plantings.
Despite the similar name, the Spanish wine grape Pedro Ximénez is a different variety with ampelographers not yet certain if the two grapes are in any way related.

Question 6

Nicolás by Catena Zapata is a blend of what grapes?

Answer 6

Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec

Question 7

Luján de Cuyo is in what provence?

Answer 7

Mendoza

Question 8

What year was Geographical Indication system created in Argentina?

Answer 8

1999

Question 9

Terrazas de los Andes is partnered with what Bordeaux estate?

Answer 9

Chateau Cheval Blanc

Question 10

Clos de los Siete is located within what region in Mendoza?

Answer 10

Mendoza

Question 11

Which region is closest to Buenos Aires?

Answer 11

La Pampa

Question 12

Where is Cafayate?

Answer 12

Salta

Question 13

Which of the following grapes is considered the highest quality?

Torrontés Sanjuanino
Torrontés Riojano
Torrontés Mendocino
Torrontés Saltano

Answer 13

Torrontés Riojano

Question 14

When was the Buenos Aires al Pacifico railway opened, where did it go, and what did it cause?

Answer 14

1885,

Mendoza, an expansion of the wine market in Argentina and the rest of the world.

Question 15

What are the regions of Argentina?

Answer 15

Cafayate, La Rioja (called Famatina in the EU), San Juan, Mendoza, Río Negro.

Question 16

Where is Argentina’s Cafayate Region?

Answer 16

The Salta province, at high altitude.

Question 17

What are the benefits of high altitude for the Cafayate region?

Answer 17

A large diurnal temperature range, allowing aroma and flavour development while retaining acidity in Torrontés.

Question 18

What dominates the production of the La Rioja Region?

Answer 18

One group of co-operative cellars.

Question 19

How does the production of the San Juan region compare to the rest of Argentina?

Answer 19

It has the second largest production, after Mendoza.

Question 20

What categories of drink is San Juan well known for?

Answer 20

Vermouth and light wines.

Question 21

How much of Argentinian production is from Mendoza and San Juan?

Answer 21

90%.

Question 22

The only formal appellation system in Argentina is where?

Answer 22

Mendoza.

Question 23

How many appellation regions does Mendoza have?

Answer 23

5, with numerous sub-regions and departments.

Question 24

What are the 5 regions of Mendoza?

Answer 24

Upper Mendoza River, Uco Valley, San Rafael, Luján de Cuyo, San Martín.

Question 25

How is the Upper Mendoza region considered?

Answer 25

The Upper Mendoza region is best for red wine production.

Question 26

Describe the Uco Valley.

Answer 26

Cooler, producing good quality whites and Pinot Noir.

Question 27

When was a DOC system introduced by the San Rafael and Luján de Cuyo regions?

Answer 27

1992.

Question 28

What style of wine does the Mendoza region focus on?

Answer 28

Large volume, varietally labelled wines and international blends.

Question 29

What Wines is Mendoza best known for?

Answer 29

Good quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, excellent Malbec.

Question 30

Describe the classic Mendoza Malbec.

Answer 30

Dark purple in colour, with rich, ripe damson fruit, soft tannins and spicy flavours.

Question 31

What is a key factor in the viticulture of the Río Negro region?

Answer 31

The far southerly latitude.

Question 32

What is the majority of production in Río Negro?

Answer 32

Malbec, though there is great potential for white production as well.

Question 33

How is Río Negro Malbec different from Mendoza Malbec?

Answer 33

Río Negro Malbec has higher acidity, firmer tannins and is more elegant than Mendoza Malbec. It develops a smoky, tobacco note with bottle age.

Question 34

Where are plantings concentrated in Argentina?

Answer 34

Close to the Andes.

Question 35

How far do the vineyard plantings of Argentina extend?

Answer 35

Over 1000 km, from Salta to Río Negro.

Question 36

Which region of Argentina is subtropical?

Answer 36

Salta.

Question 37

What is the typical altitude of vineyards in Argentina?

Answer 37

500m above sea level.

Question 38

What is the vineyard altitude of Salta? Why?

Answer 38

Over 2000m above sea level, to provide a suitably cool climate for winemaking near the equator.

Question 39

What is rainfall like in Argentina?

Answer 39

It tends to be low, due to the rain shadow of the Andes.

Question 40

What are climatic issues facing Argentina?

Answer 40

Occasional Spring frosts in the South, hail is a problem each Summer.

Question 41

How are vines trained in Argentina? Why?

Answer 41

on high pergolas, to raise grapes away from the heat on the ground.

Question 42

Newer plantings in Argentina are usually on what training system?

Answer 42

Cordon

Question 43

How does low rainfall affect viticulture in Argentina?

Answer 43

It makes irrigation necessary.

Question 44

How are vineyards irrigated in Argentina?

Answer 44

Water is drawn from mountain runoff or natural aquifers. 90% of vineyards are flood irrigated.

Question 45

Where is Argentina’s Cafayate Region?

Answer 45

The Salta province, at high altitude.

Question 46

Increased use of drip irrigation in Argentina has led to what?

Answer 46

Increased use of drip irrigation in Argentina has led to what?

Question 47

How is hail combatted in Argentina?

Answer 47

Using netting during Summer.

Question 48

Dry, sunny conditions during the growing period in Argentina lead to what?

Answer 48

High yielding vineyards with high volumes of healthy fruit.

Question 49

What is the common fermentation method in Argentina?

Answer 49

Temperature controlled in stainless steel.

Question 50

How are wines typically aged in Argentina?

Answer 50

Some estates use 225L barrels, though many use large oak casks for reds.

Question 51

What are the specialty varieties of Argentina?

Answer 51

Malbec and Torrontés.

Question 52

Describe Argentinian Malbec.

Answer 52

Bordeaux variety, produces tannic, full bodied, brambly reds.

Question 53

Describe Argentinian Torrontés.

Answer 53

Full bodied, dry white with aromatic, Muscat-like aromas.

Question 54

What are the other varieties grown in Argentina, aside from Malbec and Torrontés?

Answer 54

``` Bonarda, Barbera, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier Chardonnay. ```

Question 55

How much of Argentinian vineyard plantings are made up historic varieties? What are the varieties?

Answer 55

Under half, the grapes are Criolla and Cereza.

Question 56

What are Criolla and Cereza used for in Argentina?

Answer 56

Basic table wine and grape concentrate.

Question 57

How are international varieties typically sold in Argentina?

Answer 57

Through export.