Argentina Geography Flashcards
(44 cards)
What are the climatic influences on Argentinean viticulture?
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.
What are the main viticultural hazards of Argentina?
Hail, frost, wind (inhibiting fruit set)
Describe the various meso-climates of Argentina from north to south
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.
What are the Winemaking Provinces in the North Region
Jujuy IG
Salta IG
Tucumán IG
Catamarca IG
Valles Calchaquíes IG**
What is special about the Valles Calchaquíes IG**
**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
What is the general elevation for vineyards in Argentina?
900M
What is Argentina’s largest region in terms of output?
The Central Provinces of Cuyo, which includes Mendoza, accounting for 75% of acreage on its own.
Where is Salta? What is it known for?
The North Region of Argentina; known for high altitude Torrontés. Some red grapes are also grown.
Salta: elevation, natural features and major grapes
1280-3100M in elevation
Andes
Most Famous SubRegion: Cafayate
Torrontes Riojano, Cab Sauv, Malbec, Merlot, Tannat
Departmental IG’s (subregions) of Salta
Cachi
Molinos
San Carlos
CAFAYATE
What region sits between Salta and La Rioja? What are its subregions?
Belén, Pomán, Santa María, “Tinogasta”
Catamarca: Elevation, Natural Features, Major Grapes
1000-2100M in elevation
Andes, Ambaucán River
Majority plantings of Cereza; however, quality grapes are growing in number.
What and where is Fiambalá Valley?
A subsection of Tinogasta. 1500M in elevation, sheltered to the east and west by steep hillsides (rain shadow), irrigated by snowmelt.
What are the provinces of Cuyo, from north to south?
La Rioja
San Juan
Mendoza
La Rioja: major subregions, natural features, elevation
Famatina Valley, Chilecito, Felipe Varela
Sierras de Velasco (west), Sierra de Famatina (east)
935-1700M
What is significant about San Juan? What is its major product?
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.
San Juan: Major Natural Features, Elevation
Andes, San Juan River (irrigates Tulum, Ullum, and Zonda, among others)
600-1350M
What is franco?
The local term for the alluvial soils of Mendoza.
What are the rivers of Mendoza?
Mendoza
Diamante
Tunuyan
Atuel
What is geographically significant about the Uco Valley?
Highest elevation vineyards in Mendoza.
What are the five sectors of Mendoza?
Northern, Central/Upper, Southern, Eastern, Uco Valley
What are the subregions of Central Mendoza? (primera Zone)
Godoy Cruz
Maipú
Luján de Cuyo DOC
Luján de Cuyo DOC: Subregions + grapes
ONLY MALBEC
Agrelo IG
Perdriel IG
Las Compuertas IG
Vistalba IG
Maipú: Subregions
Las Barrancas IG
Cruz de Piedra IG
Lunlunta IG
El Paraíso IG
Russel IG
