CSW Chapter 17- South America (Argentina)

Andes Mountains and Atlantic Ocean

Two geographical boundaries that lie on either side of Argentina

Zonda Winds

Winds that effect vineyards in Argentina

Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica, and Cereza

3 light red/pink skinned grapes descended from the original Pais/mission grapes brought from Europe to Argentina. 1/3 of the plantings in the country.

Malbec

#1 red grape of Argentina. Makes wines that are deeply colored, often inky and opaque, and have flavors of blackberry and plum

Torrontes

#1 white grape of Argentina. Makes a light bodied wine with pronounced fruity and floral aromas. Has 3 sub-varieties.

Bonarda Argentina

Red grape of Argentina, known to be genetically identical to Douce Noire in France and Charbono in California

Chardonnay, Moscatel de Alexandria, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Pedro Gimenez

7 minor white grapes of Argentina

DOC

Highest level of wine classification, with specific rules for grape varieties and allowed styles of wine

IG

Quality wines produced from grapes grown in designated viticultural areas

IP

A wine with a geographical origin that is NOT designated as a viticultural area, will be a province or a municipality

2

How many DOC regions are in Argentina?

Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael

2 DOCs of Argentina

Consejo

Aka council, enforcer of DOC laws

Vinos finos

20% of all wine grown in Argentina. Must be produced using premium grapes (no Cereza or Criolla). 85% of the stated variety.

Reserva

Aged 6 months for white wines or one year for red wines

Gran Reserva

Aged one year for white wines and 2 years for red wines

Jujuy

• northwest Argentina

• Highest elevation vineyards in the world

• Moya Vineyard- highest in Argentina

Salta

• high elevation vineyards

• Sub region of Cafayate- known for Torrontes Riojano, Malbec, and Cab

• Sub region of Molinos- home of Altura Maxima vineyard, planted to Malbec

Tucuman

• vineyards mainly in the Calchaqui Valley

• Cabernet, Merlot, Torrontes Riojano

• Sun drenched and high altitude

Catamarca

• 40% Criolla grapes, followed by Torrontes Riojano, Cab, Malbec, Syrah

• Vineyards mainly in high elevation river valleys

La Rioja

• small producer

• Famatina Valleys are the main grape growing areas, around the Famatina mountains

• 51% red grapes- Cab, Malbec, Bonarda Argentina, Syrah

• 32% Torrontes Riojano. Top grape.

San Juan

• 17% of the country’s vines, 2nd largest producing areas after Mendoza

• Equal division between red/white/Criolla

• Syrah/Malbec/Bonarda Argentina/Cab

• Torrontes Sanjuanino/Torrontes Riojano/Chard/Torrentes Mendocino/Chenin Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc/Viognier

Mendoza

• 75% of all wine production

• 61% red grapes- Malbec, Bonarda Argentina, Cab, Syrah, Tempranillo

• Chard, Torrontes Riojano, and Sauv Blanc are top whites

• 5 subregions

  • Uco Valley, Primera Zona, Northern Oasis, East Mendoza, and South Mendoza

• Both of the two DOCs are located here

Uco Valley, Primera Zona, Northern Oasis, East Mendoza, South Mendoza

5 sub regions of Mendoza

Cordoba

• center of the country, east of La Rioja

• Jesuit missionaries started settling here in the 1600s and making wine until 1767 when the Spanish expelled them from the area

• Stagnant wine industry until 1870s when Italian immigrants came and revived

• Merlot, Pinot Nir, Malbec, Chard, Sauv Blanc

Neuquen

• south of Mendoza and part of the Patagonia

• Vineyards located in river basins of Limay and Neuquen

• Moderate elevation with windy and dry climate

• 85% red grapes- Malbec, Cab, Merlot, Pinot Noir

• Good reputation for white wines - Chard, Sauv Blanc, Semillon

La Pampa

• gently undulating plain with moderate continental climate

• 50% Malbec

• Following with cab, Merlot, cab franc, Pinot noir, chard

Rio Negro

• vineyards planted along west-east valleys of Colorado and Negro Rivers

• Lowest elevation vineyards of Argentina

• Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and all 3 versions of Torrontes

Chubut

• south of rio negro

• Southernmost winemaking area in Argentina, with southernmost vineyard- Chubut Sarmiento

• Planted in steppes close to Atlantic coast

• Pinot Noir is top grape, followed by Chard, Merlot, Malbec, and Torrontes Riojano

Buenos Aires

• small winemaking area, extending the county’s vineyards to the east

• Sauv Blanc and Chard are top varietials, followed by Pinot Noir

• Chapadmalal GI- easternmost vineyard in the country.

• Ocean influenced region