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10 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Argentina - Climate, Weather and Viticulture |
- Continental climate. - Cooling effect of altitude. - Large diurnal range. - All factors vital to fruit quality.
- Most vineyards run along the Andes. - Option to have vineyards at higher altitude here allows producers to grow close to the equator. - Melt water from Andes and from subterranean aquifers provide vineyards with irrigation. - Flood irrigation is vastly used. - Drip irrigation is used where roots are grafted due to increased risk of nematodes. - Phylloxera is present but does not pose much of a problem. - Salta region, close to town of Cafayate has some of the highest vineyards in the world - reaching 2000 metres.
- Historically, due to heat, vineyards planted using the pergola system (locally known at parral system - 'big vine' system) which lifted the grapes away from heat in the ground. - Now, more new quality-focused vineyards grow low-yielding cordon training systems.
- Spring frosts can occasionally be a problem but summer hail is a regular hazard. - This can destroy 10% of crop in average year. - Using nets to protect the crop is becoming more popular. - The traditional method of protecting crops is still widespread also - owning vineyards in different areas. This also brings an advantage to blending stage.
- Dry climate means rot and mildew are rarely an issue. |
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Argentina - Winemaking |
- Low cost labour, high-yielding vineyards and dry sunny conditions allow for large quantities of fully-ripe, healthy fruit at low cost.
- Most modern wineries have invested in all up to date equipment enabling temperature controlled fermentation in hygienic stainless steel vessels.
- Most estates are using oak barriques.
- Some still use old fashioned way - long periods of ageing in large old oak casks before bottling. |
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Argentina - Grape Varieties |
- Three particular specialities:
- Malbec: - Most planted grape in Argentina. - Variation in style depending on where it is grown. - High altitude tend to be elegant, displaying floral aromas and freshness. - Lower altitude grapes tend to be fuller bodied with more black fruit. - Originally used as a part of a blend but now often used as single variety. - Plays leading role in a lot of premium blends.
- Bonarda: - Until recently, was the most planted grape. - Becoming more well known quality-wise in East Mendoza. - Still more unknown than other varieties from Argentina.
- Torrontes: - Best examples come from high altitudes of Cafayate region in Salta. - Intense fruit, floral perfume, medium body and medium acidity. - Now it is Argentina's leading white grape variety. - Until recently, tended to be bitter, coarse-textured and lacked acidity - investment by producers from Mendoza have greatly improved it.
- Other varieties include: - Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Syrah - Chardonnay - Viognay |
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Argentina - Regions - Salta Province |
- Close to border of Bolivia so is the most Northern wine region of Argentina. - Cafayate region is here which lies 1750 metres - 3111 metres above sea level.
- Cafayate Region: - Main grapes include - Torrontes - Cabernet Sauvignon - Highest wine producing region in the world. - Extreme climate so produces the most terroir-specific wines in the world. - Receives a lot of international investment as well as investment from Mendoza. |
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Argentina Regions - Catamarca Province |
- Main grape varieties include: - Torrontes - Bonarda - Malbec - Tempranillo - Cabernet Sauvignon
- Huge area (3 times the size of Belgium) with tiny population. - One of the most remote wine producing regions in the world. - Arid nature means that much of the region remains pest-free, meaning it is organic. |
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Argentina Regions - La Rioja Province |
- Main grape varieties: - Torrontes - Bonarda - Syrah
- Mainly produces inexpensive bulk wines. - Third largest largest area under vine in Argentina. - Labelled as Famatina so as not to confuse with Rioja, Spain. |
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Argentina Regions - San Juan Province |
- Main grape varieties: - Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz
- Second most important wine region. - 15% of countries wine. - 2 hours drive north of Mendoza. - Conditions are more hot and arid than Mendoza which is ideal for Shiraz. - Made up of 3 transverse valleys ranging from 650-1400 metres. - A lot of good quality fruit comes from Pedernal Valley. |
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Argentina Regions - Mendoza Province |
- Main grape varieties: - Malbec - Bonarda - Cabernet Sauvignon - Chardonnay - Torrontes
- 70% of wine produced in Argentina. - One of the biggest wine producing regions in the world.
- Vineyards are planted in desert conditions in rain shadow of Andes to the west and Pampas to the East.
- Two factors account for ability to grow grapes here: - Melt water from Andes - Altitude.
- Altitude accounts for increased diurnal range, increased sunlight intensity and decreased overall temperature.
- One historical sub-division - Uco Valley. - Highest vineyards in Mendoza - 1000 - 1450 metres. - All main Mendoza grape flourish here. - Altitude accounts for acidity and freshness of wines.
- Lujan de Cuyo is in foothills of the Andes and south west of Mendoza city, within Mendoza region. - 2 sub regions - Las Compuertas and Lanlunta. - Sub regions are more commonly specified on label now to identify diversity within Mendoza. - Lujan de Cuyo produces some of the super premium priced blends in Argentina from Malbec.
- Maipu is east of Lujan de Cuyo. - Lower altitude. - Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. - Dominated by large old wineries. - Lower part of Maipu provides a lot of bulk wine for Argentina. |
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Argentina Regions - Neuquen Province |
- Youngest wine region in the world. - Cooler climate due to being further south. - Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Torrontes, Malbec and Merlot. - Modern, high tech wineries. - Sparkling wine and Pinot Noir are being used for future success. |
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Argentina Regions - Rio Negro Province |
- Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Malbec and Merlot. - Attracting a lot of very famous wine names. - Cooling influence due to latitude, not altitude. - High levels of wind, low rainfall and wide diurnal range. - Increasingly high prices on the market. |
