Argentina

Question 1

What is the main natural feature of Argentina wine country?

Answer 1

Andes Mountains

Most vineyards are at high altitude (600+ meters), some as high as 2000m above the sea level.

The Andes create a rain shadow in Argentina.

Question 2

What are the two signature varieties of Argentina?

Answer 2

• White: Torrontés
• Red: Malbec

Question 3

What is the distance between the northernmost and the southernmost vineyards of Argentina?

Answer 3

1,500 Km separate Salta province and Neuquén in Patagonia.

Question 4

The Salta province in Argentina is located at a latitude inhospitable (read: too hot) for grape growing.

How do Argentinian wine growers produce wine in this region?

Answer 4

By growing their vines at very high altitudes.

Most vineyards are planted at least 2,000m asl. Some of the highest vineyards in the world are located on near the town of Cafayate, rising over 3,000m above sea level.

Question 5

What is the local name for the pergola system in Argentina?

Answer 5

Parral

Situated high off the ground, the canopy protects clusters from the hot sun and ensures shade for the grapes.

Question 6

What grape variety is still grown using the Parral trellising system?

Answer 6

Torrontés

Today most black/red grapes are trellised using VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning).

Question 7

1. Is the rainfall in Argentina high or low?
2. Are vine growers allowed to irrigate their vineyards?

Answer 7

1. Rainfall in Argentina is low thanks to the rain shadow of the Andes.
2. Yes, irrigation is a must in Argentina. Luckily there is plenty of snowmelt which is used in spring and early summer flood irrigation.

Question 8

What forms of irrigation are used in Argentina?

Answer 8

• Flood irrigation - water comes from mountain rivers or underground aquifers; used to be more common but is less so today;
• Drip irrigation - more efficient and easier to control throughout parcels; more common in newer vineyards.

Question 9

What are the weather hazards facing Argentinian vineyards?

Answer 9

• Spring Frost
• Summer Hail - a lot of producers use netting to protect their vineyards

Question 10

What is the benefit of Argentina’s lack of rain and arid climate?

Answer 10

Low fungal disease pressure

Question 11

What are the 3 most planted red varieties in Argentina?

Answer 11

1. Malbec (most planted)
2. Bonarda (second most planted)
3. Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 12

What is the most planted white grape variety in Argentina?

Answer 12

Pedro Gimenez

Not related to Pedro Ximénez of Spain.

Pedro Gimenez is best known for producing grocery store wine.

Question 13

What system does Argentina use to classify their wines?

Answer 13

Argentina uses a GI system.

Three big regions in Argentina are divided into provinces and then departments.

Question 14

What are the 4 most important wine production provinces of Argentina?

Answer 14

1. Mendoza (most important)
2. San Juan (2nd most important)
3. La Rioja Province (3rd most important)
4. Salta (highest elevation)

Question 15

What is the northernmost province or region of production in Argentina?

Answer 15

Salta province – it’s near the Bolivian border

Salta has some of the highest elevation vineyards in the world.

Question 16

Some of the best examples of Argentinean Torrontés come from high-elevation vineyards in this department located within this Province.

Answer 16

Cafayate department within the Salta Province

Torrontés from Cafayate is highly aromatic

Question 17

What is the third largest area of production of Argentina?

Answer 17

La Rioja Province, which is located just south of the Salta.

Question 18

What is the principal vineyard area in La Rioja Province?

Answer 18

Famatina Valley

Vineyards in Famatina are planted on the valley floor, making this an area of big production, especially for Torrontés.

Question 19

What wine province is located between Mendoza and La Rioja Province?

Answer 19

San Juan

San Juan is slightly cooler and not as dry as Mendoza.

Question 20

What are the most planted varieties of San Juan?

Answer 20

This province is particularly famous for its quality Syrah, but also Chardonnay, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 21

What are the 5 subregions of Mendoza?

Answer 21

1. Northern
2. Eastern
3. Central
4. Uco Valley
5. Southern

Question 22

What is the name of the river that flows through Northern and Eastern Mendoza?

Answer 22

Mendoza River

It provides irrigation water for the production of high-volume, inexpensive wines.

Question 23

What are the 2 most important GIs of the Central Mendoza region?

Answer 23

1. Luján de Cuyo
2. Maipú

Question 24

Which is higher altitude: Luján de Cuyo or Maipú?

Answer 24

Luján de Cuyo (900-1100m asl)

Question 25

Which Mendoza subregion has the highest altitude vineyards?

Answer 25

Uco Valley

Vineyards reach between 900-1500m.

Question 26

What is the department within Uco Valley that is producing higher quality wines?

Answer 26

Tupungato

Question 27

What is the southernmost wine region of Argentina?

Answer 27

Patagonia

Question 28

Name the two provinces of Patagonia.

Answer 28

1. Neuquén
2. Rio Negro

Vineyards in Patagonia are located only 200-250m asl. It is dry like the rest of Argentina, but it is cool because of its southern latitude.

Question 29

Why do the wines of Patagonia display such freshness, intensity and bright acidity?

Answer 29

Long sunshine hours coupled with a large diurnal shift.

Question 30

What grape varieties have significant plantings in Argentina’s Patagonia wine region?

Answer 30

• Sauvignon Blanc;
• Chardonnay;
• Pinot Noir;
• Malbec;
• Merlot;
• Cabernet Sauvignon.