Argentina Flashcards
(45 cards)
As of 2018, what rank did Argentina take in terms of production compared to other countries?
5th largest producer in the world, 10th largest exporter.
Which geographical feature acts a rain shadow to the Argentine vineyards?
The Andes
What are the climatic conditions of Argentina’s wine regions?
Argentina’s wine regions are continental and very dry, exacerbated by the Zonda, a fierce, dusty, hot afternoon wind that blows down from the mountains in the late spring sand early summer which sometimes adversely affects flowering.
What is the Zonda?
A fierce, dust, hot afternoon wind that blows down from the mountains in the late spring and early summer. This sometimes adversely affects flowering.
Is hail ever an issue in Argentine vineyard?
Yes, in spring and summer hail can become a major problem.
What is the effect of high elevation on the heat?
The higher elevation vineyards don’t get as high of temperatures.
Some of the world’s highest vines are located in Salamanca, at Donald Hess’ Colome estate. The altitude here serves to mitigate such extreme highs (as the 100 degrees seen at lower altitudes) and prolongs the growing season.
What is the average elevation of Argentine vineyards?
The average elevation is ~900 meters above sea level.
Which are the country’s most important red grapes?
Malbec Bonarda Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Merlot Tempranillo
Bonarda is the second most planted red grape and is genetically distinct from the Norther Italian grape of the same name. Recent DNA studies have identified it as Savoie’s Corbeau (a variet known in the US as Charbono)
Which is Argentina’s most planted white grape?
Pedro Gimenez - Generally used as a blending grape
(Unrelated to Pedro Ximinez of Spain)
Torrentes is the second of the white grapes followed by Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.
Pink skin varieties such as Cereza, Criolla Chica and Criolla Grande occupy how much of Argentina’s vineyard acreage?
Almost 30%
What do Reserva and Gran Reserva imply in Argentina?
Reserva:
whites -6 months of aging
Reds - 1 year of aging
Gran Reserva:
Whites: 1 year aging min
Reds: 2 year aging min
These are two new designations introduced in2008, they also limit maximum yields.
Which Provence is Mendoza located in?
Cuyo
Where does the majority of the country’s wine production occur?
Mendoza where more than 150,00 hectares are cultivated
Salta, a high altitude region in the north is gaining a reputation for which grape?
Torrontes
Despite fewer than 3,000 total hectares under vine, Salta is gaining a reputation for high-altitude Torrontés—a variety prone to high alcohol levels at lower, hotter elevations.
Red grapes, such as Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are also successful in the cooler mountain climate
Where is Cafayate located?
Cafayate is a department within Salta. It’s showing promise and is increasingly appearing on labels of Torrontes
Where is the Etchart winery located?
Cafayate.
Arnoldo Etchart’s new project, Yacochuya, is also based there.
Cuyo contains which 3 wine-producing provinces?
La Rioja, Mendoza, San Juan
Which is the second largest producing in region in Argentina behind Mendoza?
San Juan, to the south of Mendoza has more than 45,000 ha’s under vine.
Historically, much of this acreage has been devoted to Argentina’s pink-skinned varieties. Although Syrah and Bonarda are gaining attention.
It’s very hot climate makes it good for grapes destined for brandy or the region’s sherry-style wine.
The Tuluma, Zonda, Ullum, Jachal, Calingasta, Pedernal and Fertilizers Valley’s are located in which region?
San Juan
Where is the Uco Valley located?
In Mendoza. The Uco Valley is a western subregion and home to the provinces highest vineyards.
What are the soils of the Uco Valley composed of?
Soils in the region are generally comprised of loose, alluvial sand over clay, a structure that, when coupled with the gale-force Zonda wind, helps to keep phylloxera and other diseases at bay
In Mendoza, are vines generally planted on their own rootstock?
Yes. As in Chile, almost all vines in Mendoza are planted on their own rootstock.
Which is the most planted grape of Mendoza?
Malbec. It covers around 35,000 ha’s of vineyard.
Despite being planted in Cahors, Bordeaux, and the Loire Valley, the grape achieves its most classic and identifiable varietal expression in Mendoza, offering brambly black and red mountain fruit tones, rich and robust texture, and sweet floral tones.
Is irrigation necessary in Mendoza.
YES. The climate is desert-like and irrigation is absolutely necessary.
