Argentina Geography Flashcards

1
Q

What are the climatic influences on Argentinean viticulture?

A

The rain shadow of the Andes creates a very dry climate
exacerbated by the Zonda, a fierce, hot, afternoon wind that sweeps down from the mountains in late spring and early summer.
Vineyards are largely irrigated by snowmelt
prone to hail in the spring and summer.

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2
Q

What are the main viticultural hazards of Argentina?

A

Hail, frost, wind (inhibiting fruit set)

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3
Q

Describe the various meso-climates of Argentina from north to south

A

Sub Tropical in the North to Continental Semi-Arid in the south

Jujuy is humid subtropical
Salta is subtropical highland
Tucuman/Catamarca/La Rioja are hot semi-arid, moving down into Mendoza which is arid continental.
San Juan is a desert
All winegrowing regions in Patagonia are semi-arid continental.

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4
Q

What are the Winemaking Provinces in the North Region

A

Jujuy IG
Salta IG
Tucumán IG
Catamarca IG
Valles Calchaquíes IG**

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5
Q

What is special about the Valles Calchaquíes IG**

A

**The Valles Calchaquíes are not a province; however, the IG includes the following departments (basically everyone but Jujuy IG)

in Salta, Catamarca, and Tucumán: La Viña, San Carlos, Cafayate, Molinos, Santa María, and Tafí. In 2019, the Valles Calchaquíes IG included 4,226 hectares (source: INV), divided amongst the six departments as shown he

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6
Q

What is the general elevation for vineyards in Argentina?

A

900M

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7
Q

What is Argentina’s largest region in terms of output?

A

The Central Provinces of Cuyo, which includes Mendoza, accounting for 75% of acreage on its own.

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8
Q

Where is Salta? What is it known for?

A

The North Region of Argentina; known for high altitude Torrontés. Some red grapes are also grown.

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9
Q

Salta: elevation, natural features and major grapes

A

1280-3100M in elevation
Andes
Most Famous SubRegion: Cafayate
Torrontes Riojano, Cab Sauv, Malbec, Merlot, Tannat

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10
Q

Departmental IG’s (subregions) of Salta

A

Cachi
Molinos
San Carlos
CAFAYATE

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11
Q

What region sits between Salta and La Rioja? What are its subregions?

A

Belén, Pomán, Santa María, “Tinogasta”

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12
Q

Catamarca: Elevation, Natural Features, Major Grapes

A

1000-2100M in elevation
Andes, Ambaucán River
Majority plantings of Cereza; however, quality grapes are growing in number.

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13
Q

What and where is Fiambalá Valley?

A

A subsection of Tinogasta. 1500M in elevation, sheltered to the east and west by steep hillsides (rain shadow), irrigated by snowmelt.

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14
Q

What are the provinces of Cuyo, from north to south?

A

La Rioja
San Juan
Mendoza

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15
Q

La Rioja: major subregions, natural features, elevation

A

Famatina Valley, Chilecito, Felipe Varela
Sierras de Velasco (west), Sierra de Famatina (east)
935-1700M

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16
Q

What is significant about San Juan? What is its major product?

A

San Juan is the second largest province in Argentina by acreage (47,000ha to Mendoza’s 146,000ha). The climate is hot and much acreage is given to the pink skins; much production is brandy, vermouth, and sherry-styled wines, but there are some Syrah and Bondarda getting critical attention.

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17
Q

San Juan: Major Natural Features, Elevation

A

Andes, San Juan River (irrigates Tulum, Ullum, and Zonda, among others)
600-1350M

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18
Q

What is franco?

A

The local term for the alluvial soils of Mendoza.

19
Q

What are the rivers of Mendoza?

A

Mendoza
Diamante
Tunuyan
Atuel

20
Q

What is geographically significant about the Uco Valley?

A

Highest elevation vineyards in Mendoza.

21
Q

What are the five sectors of Mendoza?

A

Northern, Central/Upper, Southern, Eastern, Uco Valley

22
Q

What are the subregions of Central Mendoza? (primera Zone)

A

Godoy Cruz
Maipú
Luján de Cuyo DOC

23
Q

Luján de Cuyo DOC: Subregions + grapes

A

ONLY MALBEC
Agrelo IG

Perdriel IG

Las Compuertas IG

Vistalba IG

24
Q

Maipú: Subregions

A

Las Barrancas IG

Cruz de Piedra IG

Lunlunta IG

El Paraíso IG

Russel IG

25
Q

What are the subregions of Uco Valley? Other than Malbec, what grapes are successful there?

A

Tupungato, Tunuyán, San Carlos (sub-subs La Consulta, Paraje Altamira)

Grapes:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sémillon

26
Q

What and where is Gualtallary?

A

An unofficial subregion of Tupungato, 1500M high, stony, limestone soils. Star district.

27
Q

What are the departements of Southern Mendoza? What is the grape?

A

San Rafael DOC
General Alvear
Chenin Blanc

28
Q

What are the two DOC’s of Argentina? What are they authorized for?

A

Luján de Cuyo DOC: 100% Malbec in Central Mendoza

San Rafael DOC: Chenin Blanc in Southern Mendoza

San Rafael DOC: Chenin Blanc + others in Southern Mendoza, used solely by Valentín Bianchi for base wine.

29
Q

What region lies between Mendoza and Río Negro?

A

La Pampa

30
Q

What are the winemaking provinces of Patagonia?

A

Chubut (20ha)
La Pampa
Río Negro
Neuquén

31
Q

Where is Jujuy IG? Climate, altitude, and what wines does it produce?

A

Far northwest Argentina, on the border with Bolivia and Chile.
Humid subtropical climate, average 1250M.
Best for Torrontes, but reds are “improving.” Rarely seen outside the region.

32
Q

Where is Tucumán IG? Cimate, elevation, major grapes?

A

In the North Region of Argentina, bordering Salta to the Northwest and Catamarca to the Southwest
Hot semi-arid
1675-2500M in elevation
Torrontes Riojano

33
Q

What is the subregion of Tucumán?

A

Tafi

34
Q

Where is Córdoba Argentina IG? Subregions?

A

The “Center Region” - essentially east of the central provinces of Cuyo, opposite San Juan.
Colón (with Colonia Caroya district), Cruz del Eje, San Javier

35
Q

Which province is excluded from the traditional region of Cuyo (but included in “New Cuyo”)?

A

La Rioja

36
Q

What are the major subregions of San Juan?

A
Tulum
Zonda
Ullum
Calingasta
Pedernal
37
Q

What are the subregions of Northern Mendoza?

A

Lavalle
Las Heras
Guaymallén
(north to south)

38
Q

What are the subregions of Eastern Mendoza?

A
San Martín
Junín
Rivadavia
Santa Rosa
La Paz
(north to south, west to east)
39
Q

Which winemaking province of Patagonia is not officially an IG?

A

La Pampa

40
Q

What is the sole subregion of La Pampa?

A

25 de Mayo, on the border with Rio Negro

41
Q

What are the subregions of Neuquén IG?

A

Añelo

Confluencia

42
Q

Neuquen: Elevation, Natural Features

A

400-450M

Limay River, Neuquén River

43
Q

What are subregions of Río Negro IG?

A

(west to east)
General Roca (main)
Avellaneda
Pichimahuida (north), General Conesa (south)

44
Q

What are two types of irrigation used in Argentina?

A

Furrow (traditional from Snowmelt) and Drip (modern)