Argentinia

Question 1

Argentinia History and Business

Answer 1

• strong production (same as Chile, SA, Australia)
• strong domestic market (European immigration), but decreasing
• Famous for its Malbec, depends on popularity of Malbec
• Range of Altitudes, Good supply of irrigation –> favourable

History:
- Spanish colonisation 16th cent\
- 19th cent: independence –> european immigration –> European varieties
- very high domestic consumption –> ongoing production, mostly inexpensive
- 1970s less domestic –> move to export, fe Catena, quality focus –> modernization
- 2000s: week peso –> good value

Business;
- steady production levels
- vintage variations (El Nino)
- Mercosur free trade agreement –> export boom in 2000s
- many vineyards family owned, fe Zapata and Zuccardi
- considerable investment (some domestic, some foreign)

Question 2

Argentinia Growing Conditions

Answer 2

Latitude: 24 - 38S –> if low; intense sunlight

Climate; mostly continental

Influences:
- Andes
–> foothills –> flat or gentle sloping
–> range of altitudes (from 500 m to above 1000m, some even 3300m)
–> diurnal range –> extends growing season, retains acidity
–> intense sunlight (high UV) –> more tannins and anthocyanins
–> rain shadow –> very low rainfall (less than 200m) –> desert like conditions –> irrigation essential –> low disease pressure
- Zonda: strong winds —> hot, dry, powerful in late spring, early summer
–> less disease pressure
–> lowers humidity –> potential water stress
–> affects flowering and fruit set –> lower yields –> trees planted as windbreaks

Rain: very low, mostly in summer
Risk: hail–> reduction in yields
–> netting –> expensive
–> diversification of vineyard sites

Continental climate –> risk of frost (especially in Mendoza)

El Nino –> higher rainfall and hail –> disease risk, lowers yields

Question 3

Grape Varieties in Argentinia

Answer 3

• Malbec
• Criolla (pink)
• Bonarda
• Torrontes
• also high quality Cab Sauv, red blends from Syrah, Chardonnay
• Pedro Gimenez
• Semillon

Other grape variieties: Termpranillo, Merlot, PInot Noir, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Tannat, also Chenin Blanc, SB and Viognier

Question 4

Soils in Argentinia

Answer 4

usually alluvial soil
- altitude; large stone with calcareous deposits –> quality
- middle: gravel, sands and silts
- lower: deeper, loamy clay soils, nutrient rich –> fertile

Dry climate –> little organic matter –> very poor soils at altitude –> low yields –> high concentration

Question 5

Vineyard Management in Argentinia

Answer 5

Vine pull scheme –> less production

Still high percentage (30%) of old vines (Malbec, Bonarda and Semillon)

Very dry climate –> irrigation essential –> water from rivers through dams and irrigation channels (stored in reservoirs). –> often flood irrigation (good for free draining soils, cheap), now move to drip irrigation (better for sloped vineyards, more efficient, water shortage)
–> usually given during winter, less in summer –> deep roots

Training:
- trad: pergola (parral) –> shading, away from the hot ground (especially for Torrontes, and high yielding grape varieties)
- now: VSP –> modern canopy management

often ungrafted
—> reason: less phylloxera, sandy soils
–> but still nematodes, drought resistant rootstocks –> move to grafting

Dry –> less fungal risk –> no need for spraying –> high percentage of organic and biodynamic (but often not certified)

Trad: hand harvest (increased labour costs) –> move to mechanical

Foregin investment –> modernisation –> better canopy management, clonal selection, influence of soils (often precision viticulture) –> single vineyard, single plot produciton

Question 6

Red Winemaking in Argentinia

Answer 6

Trad: high yielding varieties (Criolla)
now; shift to quality

–> see grape varieties for details.

–> trad: Spanish, French and Italian influence –> ferm and matured in lg oak barrels, sometimes oxidatively
–> foreign investmetn –> more modern style (later harvest, temp controlled, maturation in new oak) –> full bodied, ripe, fruity with prominent oak
–> now experimentation: earlier harest (fresher fruit, higher acidity, lower alc), some natural, whole bunch, gentle extraction, maturation in various vessels, blending of different parcels –> more super premium, ageworthy wines

Question 7

Criolla in Argentinia

Answer 7

high yielding, pink skin, lighly coloured wines, inexpensive, for domestic consumption

Types
- Cereza
- Grande
- Chica (Pais in Chile)

Question 8

Malbec in Argentinia

Answer 8

Signature variety, growth, export success, vigerous, mid ripening

Range of styles:
- inexpensive or mid priced, lighter, fruity, early consumption
- premium or super premium, structured, age worthy
- fresh, fruity roses

Depending on sites:
- cooler (altitude, high latitude): lower alc, med plus acidity, firm, med plus tannins and fresh fruit, red and black, floral and herbal
- warmer sites: In warm, sunny conditions: deep colour, full body, high, soft tannins, high alcohol, ripe blackberry and black plum, lower acidity

Often blended with Bordeaux varieties, Bonarda or Syrah or across warm and cool sites

Lots of clones –> clonal selection –> smaller berries and bunches and softer tannins than in France

Question 9

Bonarda in Argentinia

Answer 9

Late ripening, red, planted in the warmest areas (St Juan and Mendoza), high yielding, large volume, inexpensive, for domestic

Deep colour, red and black fruit, med plus acidity, med tannins and med alc, light oak use (old or large new –> reason: can overwhelm easily)

Often blended with Malbec or Cab Sauv –> gives fruit and colour

If yields limited (old vines, fe from Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo and eastern Mendoza): more intensity and structure –> riper, black fruit, spice –> mostly mid prized, very few premium

–> mostly domestic, but growth on export market

Question 10

Cabernet Sauvignon in Argentinia

Answer 10

Necc: good site selection (doens’t like extreme temperature and risk of fungal)

Often blended with Merlot, now more single varietal, premium

–> ripe high tannins, blackcurrant and blackberry, spicy wihtout herbacous character

Question 11

Syrah in Argentinia

Answer 11

Best in hotter sites (Mendoza and San Juan)
–> full body, high alc, ripe, black fruit

In cooler sites: more elegant, fresher fruit, firmer tannins

Question 12

Tempranillo in Argentinia

Answer 12

med tannins, med to full body with red fruit and spice from oak

Question 13

Merlot in Argentinia

Answer 13

trad for Bordeaux Style blends, decreasing

Question 14

Pinot Noir in Argentinia

Answer 14

growth, from Patagonia and Uco Valley -> concentrated, fruity

Question 15

Pedro Gimenez in Argentinia

Answer 15

relatively neutral, often inexpensive, domestic production

Question 16

White wine making in Argentinia

Answer 16

Trad: inexpensive domestic whites
Now: quality focus –> coolest areas (altitude, Uco Valley) –> early harvest, cool fermentation temp, fruitier
–> higher acidity, lower alc

Question 17

Torrontes in Argentinia

Answer 17

Varieties
- Riojano (the best)
- Sanjuanino
- Mendocino

Cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Criollo Chica
–> strong, floral aroma
–> vigorous, high yielding
–> grown in Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja
–> early ripening –> can become overly ripe (overly alcoholic wines, lacking acidity, bitter finish)

Investment and improvements in grape growing and wine making –> reduced yields, early harvest, temp control –> fruitier (lemon, grapefruit, peach), less floral with lower alcohol

best: Cafayate, Uco Valley

–> usually drunk young, some oak fermentation, usualy single varietal, but now also blended (with SB)
–> some fragrant, late harvest wines

Question 18

Chardonnay in Argentinia

Answer 18

Range of styles
- premium: Uco Valley: med plus to high acidity, ripe stone and tropical, subtle spice from oak maturation, some new oak

Question 19

Semillon in Argentinia

Answer 19

Inexpensive white for domestic market
Now: trend for better quality

Question 20

Chenin Blanc in Argentinia

Answer 20

Inexpensive white for domestic market
Now: trend for better quality

Question 21

Map of Argentinia

Answer 21

Question 22

Wine Law and Regulation in Argentinia

Answer 22

Geographical Indications (3 tier system)
- IP: large geographical area
- GI: quality from specific geographic area –> Region (fe Cuyo), Province (fe Mendoza), sub region (fe Uco Valley), Department (fe San Carlos), District (fe La Consulta), GI inside district (fe Paraje Altamira)
- DOC: specific geographic area with legislated winemaking criteria (Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael)

–=> for GI or DOC: 100% from that area, 75% from that vintage, 85% from that variety
–> reserva: aged for 12 months for reds, 6 months for whites and rose
–> gran reserva: aged twice as long as reserva

Question 23

Map of Medoza

Answer 23

Question 24

Areas in Argentinia

Answer 24

Mendoza
- Northern and Eastern Mendoza
- Central Mendoza (Lujan de Cuyo, Maipu)
- Uco Valley (Tupungato, Tunuyan, San Carlos)
- Southern Mendoza

San Juan Province

La Rioja Province

Salta Province

Patagonia Region
- Rio Negro Province
- Neuquen Province

Question 25

Mendoza Province overview

Answer 25

In Argentinia, produces 70% of total Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> valley and foothills --> **altitude** 500-1500m - valley of the **River Mendoza** --> water for irrigation Grape Varieties: 55% black, 25% pink and 20% whites - **Malbec**: growth, 22 % of total Areas: - Northern and Eastern Mendoza - Central Mendoza (Lujan de Cuyo, Maipu) - Uco Valley (Tupungato, Tunuyan, San Carlos) - Southern Mendoza --> often blending accross areas.

Question 26

Central Mendoza

Answer 26

In Argentinia Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> valley and foothills --> **altitude** 600-1100m --> range of styles and varieties - **River Mendoza** --> water for irrigation Long history, high quality, leading producers Grape varieties: range of altitudes --> range of varieties. Best: **Cab Sauv**, **Syrah**, **Tempranillo**, some high qual whites Areas: - Lujan de Cuyo - Maipu

Question 27

Northern and Eastern Mendoza

Answer 27

In Argentinia Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> valley and foothills --> rel low **altitude** 500 - 700m --> warmer conditions - valley of the **River Mendoza** (north) or **Tunuyan River** (east) --> water for irrigation Warmer --> large volume, inexpensive, some higher quality from lower yielding vineyards, esp **Tempranillo** and **Bonarda**

Question 28

Lujan de Cuyo

Answer 28

In Central Mendoza, Argentinia, higher part of Central Mendoza Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> foothills --> wide diurnal --> higest in central Mendoza **altitude** 900 - 1100m - valley of the **River Mendoza** (north) or **Tunuyan River** (east) --> water for irrigation Cooler --> **Malbec** (some old vines), min 24 ageing with 12 in oak for DOC, **Bordeaux** varieties, some elegant **Chardonnays** and **SB** Areas within Lujan de Cuyo (GIs): Las Compuertas and Agrelo Altitude: --> fruity, full body reds from Malbec and Bordeaux varieties, med plus acidity (diurnal range), firm tannins, ageing potential, premium and super premium Lower: clay soil vineyards (Agrelo): riper red wines, VG to outstanding, ageing potential, some fruity, full bodied **Semillons**

Question 29

Maipu

Answer 29

In Central Mendoza, Argentinia, lower part of Central Mendoza Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> valley and foothills --> wide diurnal --> lower in central Mendoza **altitude** 600 - 900 --> warmer Old vines --> intensely fruity and full bodied **Malbecs**, high alcohol and soft tannins On the warmest sites: inexpensive, volume, also some higher qual **Carbernet Sauv**, **Tempranillo**, **Syrah** and old vine **Bonarda**

Question 30

Uco Valley

Answer 30

In Mendoza, Argentinia Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> foothills --> highest **altitude** 850-1500m --> cooler temps, wider diurnals, intense sunshine - **Tunuyan River**--> water for irrigation (but also drip irrigation) --> retain acidity, fresh fruit, deep colour, ripe tannins --> quality potential --> investment, growth, most modern equipment Grape Varieties: mostly black, especially **Malbec**, potential for premium whites Areas: - Tupungato - Tunuyan - San Carlos

Question 31

San Carlos

Answer 31

In Uco Valley, most southerly, Mendoza, Argentinia Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> foothills --> **altitude** 1000 - 1200m --> cooler temps, wider diurnals, intense sunshine, but warmer than Guiltallary --> intense, full bodied **Malbecs** - **Tunuyan River**--> water for irrigation (but also drip irrigation) **Old vine** plantings and quality reds (Malbec, Cab Sauv, Syrah in warmest) Subregion: Paraje Altamira, alluvial fan --> variety of soils, mostly calcium carbonate, stony topsoil

Question 32

Tunuyan

Answer 32

In Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentinia Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> foothills --> range of altitudes (valley --> warmer --> full bodied, structured, fruity wines, higher sites --> coolest in Mendoza, **premium whites** and **PN**) - **Tunuyan River**--> water for irrigation (but also drip irrigation)

Question 33

Tupungato

Answer 33

In Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentinia Latitude; most northerly in Uco Valley and highest Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> foothills --> highest **altitude** 1100 - 1600 m --> cooler temps, wider diurnals, intense sunshine - **Mount Tupungato** Volcano - **Tunuyan River**--> water for irrigation (but also drip irrigation) Soil: limestone (in **Gualtallary**) --> lighter, higher acidity, red and black fruit, often herbal **Malbecs** Grape varieties: fresh, full bodied reds from **Malbec**, **Cab Sauv**, **Cab Franc**, **PN** and crisp elegant whites from **Chard** and **SB**

Question 34

Southern Mendoza

Answer 34

Mendoza, Argentinia Latitude: furthest south in Mendoza --> cooler and longer summers --> good acid retention Influences: - sits at base of the **Andes** --> valley and foothills --> lower **altitude** 450-850m Risk: summer hailstorm Grapes: red: **Malbec**, **Cab Sauvignon, Syrah, Bonarda** --> Less prestigious than rest of Mendoza, often used for blends, some quality --> med body reds, more red fruit whites: **Chenin Blanc**: well balanced, fruity

Question 35

San Juan Province

Answer 35

Argentinia, North of Mendoza Influences: - **Andes** --> altitude 600-1500m --> lower sites: hotter than Mendoza, less diurnal --> inexpensive wines, high yielding Criola --> high altitude: Malbec, Bonarda, esp **Syrah** --> fe Pedernal Valley

Question 36

La Rioja Argentinia

Answer 36

Argentinia, north of San Juan Mostly high volume, inexpensive in Fatima Valley, fe Torrontes, Cab Sauv, Malbec, Syrah

Question 37

Salta Province

Answer 37

Argentinia Latitude 24-26S --> close to Equator Recently significant investment Influences: - **Andes** --> **altitude** --> 1500 - 3000m - -> moderate low latitude --> intense sunlight --> high anthocyanins and tannins --> wide diurnal range --> concentration, full body, fragrant and fresh - **Calchaqui River** --> water for irrigation - **Zonda wind** --> dry and warm from the mountains --> thicker skin, lower yields Rain: very dry (desert like) --> irrigation necc Grape Varieties: **Malbec** --> full body, med plus acidity, high alcohol, ripe black fruit, herbal or floral lift Also: **Cab Sauv**, **Bonarda**, **Syrah**, some **Tannat** For whites: **Torrontes** (esp in Cafayate) --> aromatic, unoaked styles

Question 38

Patagonia

Answer 38

South Argentinia **Latitude** 38-39S --> rel low temp, less intense sunlight, longer growing season Influences: - **lower altitude** up to 400m - Constant **winds** from the **Andes** --> thick skin, lower yield (disrups flowering and fruit set) --> sheltered by trees Rain: low, less than 200mm --> **irrigation** essential Quality reputation for **PN, Cab Franc, Merlot, Semillon, Chardonnay** or **Riesling**, floral **Malbec** Areas: - Rio Negro - Neuquen

Question 39

Rio Negro

Answer 39

South Argentinia, in Patagonia (furthest south) **Latitude** 38-39S --> rel low temp, less intense sunlight, longer growing season Influences: - **lower altitude** 180-270m - **Rio Negro**: valley --> old vines Grape varieties: old vine **Semillon, PN, Malbec** --> elegant, well balanced Pinot noir, Malbec, Merlot, SB and Riesling

Question 40

Neuquen Province

Answer 40

South Argentinia, in Patagonia (furthest south), rel new **Latitude** 38-39S --> rel low temp, less intense sunlight, longer growing season Influence: **Neuquen River** --> slightly warmer, more arid than Rio Negro --> riper styles Grape varieties: **Malbec, PN, Merlot and SB**