Argentina

Question 1

What rank does Argentina hold in global wine production as of 2018?

Answer 1

Fifth largest wine producer in the world

Question 2

What is Argentina’s rank in wine exports as of 2018?

Answer 2

Tenth largest wine exporter

Question 3

Where are Argentina’s vineyards primarily located?

Answer 3

Western sector of the country, near the Andes

Question 4

What type of climate do Argentina’s wine producing regions experience?

Answer 4

Continental climate

Question 5

What is the Zonda?

Answer 5

A fierce, dusty, hot afternoon wind from the Andes

Question 6

How does the Zonda affect wine production?

Answer 6

It can adversely affect flowering

Question 7

What climatic condition helps keep Argentinean vineyards free of fungal problems?

Answer 7

General lack of humidity

Question 8

What provides plentiful water for irrigation in Argentinean vineyards?

Answer 8

Snowmelt from heavy winter snowfall in the Andes

Question 9

What is a major weather hazard for vineyards in Argentina?

Answer 9

Dangerous spring and summer hail

Question 10

What can summer temperatures in Argentina reach?

Answer 10

100° F and above

Question 11

Where are some of the world’s highest vines located?

Answer 11

Salta, at Donald Hess’ Colomé estate

Question 12

What is the average elevation of Argentinean vineyards?

Answer 12

Approximately 900 meters above sea level

Question 13

How does the elevation of Argentinean vineyards affect the growing season?

Answer 13

It mitigates extreme highs and prolongs the growing season

Question 14

Why are Argentinean vineyards free from pollution effects?

Answer 14

Lack of major nearby urban centers

Question 15

Which nearby region is affected by pollution compared to Argentinean vineyards?

Answer 15

Maipo, covered in Santiago’s smog

Question 16

What is the flagship red grape of Argentina?

Answer 16

Malbec

Question 17

Which grape is genetically distinct from Northern Italian Bonarda?

Answer 17

Argentina’s Bonarda

Question 18

What is the second most planted red grape in Argentina?

Answer 18

Bonarda

Question 19

What is the most planted white grape in Argentina?

Answer 19

Pedro Giménez

Question 20

Which white grape is known for its distinctive floral characteristics?

Answer 20

Torrontés

Question 21

What is the Mendoza Chardonnay clone known for?

Answer 21

Greater skin-to-juice ratio

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The two designations introduced in 2008 for wine aging are _______ and Gran Reserva.

Answer 22

Reserva

Question 23

What does Reserva imply for white wines?

Answer 23

Minimum 6 months of aging

Question 24

What does Gran Reserva indicate for red wines?

Answer 24

At least two years of aging

Question 25

In which province does approximately three-quarters of Argentina's wine production occur?

Answer 25

Mendoza

Question 26

Which province in Argentina is known for high-altitude Torrontés?

Answer 26

Salta

Question 27

What is the promising department within Salta known for Torrontés?

Answer 27

Cafayate

Question 28

Which grape varieties lead in acreage in the province of Catamarca?

Answer 28

Torrontés, Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 29

Which province is known as Argentina's second-largest wine-producing region?

Answer 29

San Juan

Question 30

What types of wines is San Juan particularly good for due to its hot summer climate?

Answer 30

Brandy and vermouth

Question 31

True or False: Torrontés is the most cultivated grape in La Rioja.

Answer 31

True

Question 32

What are the wine-producing provinces included in Cuyo?

Answer 32

* Mendoza * La Rioja * San Juan

Question 33

Fill in the blank: The Famatina Valley is the most famous wine region in _______.

Answer 33

La Rioja

Question 34

What is a notable characteristic of the Torrontés variety in Salta?

Answer 34

Prone to high alcohol levels at lower, hotter elevations

Question 35

Which two prominent producers are based in Cafayate?

Answer 35

* Etchart * Yacochuya

Question 36

What is the common name for Bonarda when referred to in the context of San Juan?

Answer 36

Barbera Bonarda

Question 37

What are the main sectors into which Mendoza is divided?

Answer 37

North, Central (Primera Zona), South, East, and Uco Valley ## Footnote Uco Valley is notable for having the province's highest vineyards.

Question 38

What type of soil is common in Mendoza?

Answer 38

Loose, alluvial sand over clay ## Footnote This soil structure, combined with the Zonda wind, helps control phylloxera and diseases.

Question 39

What is the primary irrigation method used in Mendoza?

Answer 39

Furrow irrigation and drip irrigation ## Footnote Furrow irrigation was developed by the Incas, utilizing water from rivers swelled by Andes snowmelt.

Question 40

Which grape variety covers around 35,000 hectares in Mendoza?

Answer 40

Malbec ## Footnote Malbec is the most planted grape in Mendoza.

Question 41

What are the typical flavor profiles of Malbec from Mendoza?

Answer 41

Brambly black and red mountain fruit tones, rich and robust texture, and sweet floral tones ## Footnote Mendoza provides the most classic expression of Malbec.

Question 42

How long do some serious Malbec wines from Mendoza spend in oak barrels?

Answer 42

Over a year in 100% new barrels ## Footnote Examples include the single-vineyard Achaval Ferrer wines.

Question 43

Which two departments in Central Mendoza are known for traditional Malbec sites?

Answer 43

Luján de Cuyo and Maipú ## Footnote Luján de Cuyo is one of Argentina's two DOCs authorized only for Malbec wines.

Question 44

What percentage of Mendoza's vineyard acreage is dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 44

Approximately 7% ## Footnote Cabernet Sauvignon is gaining complexity and popularity in Mendoza.

Question 45

Which white grape varieties are successfully cultivated in the Uco Valley?

Answer 45

Chardonnay and Sémillon ## Footnote These thrive in the high elevation vineyards.

Question 46

What is the principal grape in Southern Mendoza's San Rafael and General Alvear regions?

Answer 46

Chenin Blanc ## Footnote These regions are not known for fine wines.

Question 47

What percentage of Mendoza's plantings do Criolla Grande and Cereza account for?

Answer 47

About 20% ## Footnote They are primarily used for bulk wine and grape concentrate production.

Question 48

What are the winemaking provinces south of Mendoza?

Answer 48

Río Negro, Neuquén, and Chubut ## Footnote These provinces are cooler and smaller in production compared to Mendoza.

Question 49

Which white grapes perform well in Patagonia's chalky soils?

Answer 49

Torrontés and Sémillon ## Footnote These varieties thrive in the longer growing seasons of Patagonia.

Question 50

What is the name of the famous estate in Patagonia known for super-premium Río Negro Pinot Noir?

Answer 50

Bodegas Chacra ## Footnote Bodegas Chacra is associated with the family behind Tuscany's Sassicaia.

Question 51

Which other premier producer in Patagonia is gaining acclaim for Malbec?

Answer 51

Bodega Noemía de Patagonia ## Footnote This estate is notable for its high-quality Malbec production.

Question 52

What is La Pampa in relation to Río Negro?

Answer 52

An adjacent province to the north ## Footnote La Pampa is emerging as a new area for wine production.

Question 53

Argentina MAP

Answer 53