Csw- South American Chapter 17

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Argentina Geography and Climate

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Andes forms border on western side with Chile. Shields country from westerly winds and casts a large rain shadow. The dry air, ample irrigation from snowmelt, high elevation, and lots of sun makes for good growing conditions in the Andean foothills

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Argentina- Grape Varieties

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Historically: Pink Criolla Granda and Cereza grapes, descended from Missionary vines

Now: Key grapes are Malbec (red) and Torrontes (white).

Others include Bonarda (It), Cab, Syrah, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc (for blending)

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Argentine Malbecs

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Signature grape variety. The Argentinian version is deeply colored, almost inky black, and have blackberry and plum flavors.

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Torrontés

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Argentina's signature white grape. Makes a light bodied wine with pronounced floral aromas.

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Argentinian Wine Law Categories

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denominacion de origen controlada (DOC)

indicacion geografica (IG), quality wines below the DOC level

indicacion de procedencia (IP) for table and regional wines.

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Argentina Wine Laws- details

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Modeled after European style regulations, and enforced by a local council (consejo).

DOC regs spell out boundaries, varieties, planting densities.

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Argentina's DOCs

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Only two so far:

Lujan de Cuyo DOC

San Rafael DOC

Mendoza subregions. Both are for Malbec

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Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV)

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In Argentina, a regulatory body that also governs wines, in addition to the consejos that govern DOCs. Wines under the INV are known as vinos finos and are 20% of the country's wine.

Must have a minimum of 80% of the stated varietal

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"Reserva" and "Gran Reserva" in Argentina

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Regulated by the INV starting in 2011. Wines must be made with certain grape varieties and meet minimum aging periods

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Northern Argentina Regions

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Jujuy

Salta (known for Toronntes),

Tucuman,

Catamarca

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Northern Argentina Wines

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From some of the highest altitude vineyards. Diurnal temp differences and ample sunshine make for ripe grapes with acidity.

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Cafayate

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Subregion of Salta, in Northern Argentina. Has vineyards as high as 7000 ft

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Molinos

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Subregion of Salta, in Northern Argentina. Altura Maxima, a vineyard at 10,206ft is located here and may be the highest vineyard in the world

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Argentine Regions from North to South

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Jujuy

Salta

Catamarca

La Rioja

San Juan

Mendoza

Neuquen

Rio Negro

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La Rioja

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Central (Cuyo) Region of Argentina. Between Catamarca and San Juan, the oldest wine producing region of Argentina. Suffers from water availability issues

Torrontes (1/3 of plantings) and Moscatel de Alejandria

Labels "La Rioja Argentina" to avoid confusion

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San Juan

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Central (Cuyo) Region of Argentina. North of Mendoza Region of Argentina. 2nd Largest wine region.

Hot and dry; produces grapes mainly for fortified wine and brandy, as well as tabel grapes made from Cereza

Quality Syrah and Bonarda also grown

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Mendoza production and climate

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Central (Cuyo) Region of Argentina. More than 70% of Argentina's vineyards. Most vineyards planted between 2000 and 4000 feet in Andean foothills

Alluvial soil, mostly sand over clay.

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Mendoza Leading Grapes

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Malbec

Cabernet Sauvignon

Italian varieties

Tempranillo

Torrontes

Chardonnay

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Closest sub-region to city of Mendoza

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Maipu

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Subregions of Mendoza

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From N to S:

1. Mendoza North

2. Lujan de Cuyo DOC

3. Maipu

4. Maipu East

5. Mendoza East

6. Tupangato

7. Uco Valley

8. San Rafael DOC

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Regions within Patagonia

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Neuquen

Rio Negro

La Pampa

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Nequen

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Region within Patagonia in Argentina. Cooler with large diurnal shifts and long growing season. Malbec leads, but developing a reputation for cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

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La Pampa

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Region within Patagonia in Argentina. Northeast of Nequen. Plain with gentle hills and a 60 mile long fan shaped value running east to west.

Merlot, Malbec, Cab, Chardonnay

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Rio Negro

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Southernmost wine producing province of Argentina. Malbec Merlot and Syrah lead, but up and coming for white wines, sparkling, and Pinot.

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Sub-Regions of Salta Province (Argentina)

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Molinos

El Arenal

Cafayate

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Sub region of La Rioja (Argentina)

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Famatina

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Sub regions of San Juan Province (Argentina)

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Pedernal Valley

Tullum Valley

Zonda Valley

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Chile production stats

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Second Largest Producer in S. America, and the #1 exporter. Like Australia, much of the wine is produced exclusively for export. 2/3 of production is exported

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Chile Geography and Climate

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Most of the vines are in the long central valley, where hills block the cool coastal influence. Climate similar to California.

Humboldt Current is a cold current flowing from the polar seas. Prevailing wind is westerly blowing ocean breeze inland and lowering the temp/sushine. In the Central Valley the climate is Mediterranean.

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Phylloxera in Chile

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Between the Ocean and the Andes. Atacama desert is in the north, and in the South is the frozen Tierra del Feugo.

Because of Natural barriers on four sides and strict quarantine laws, Chile has no Phylloxera

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Top Grapes of Chile

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Cabernet Sauvignon

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

Merlot

Carmenere

Syrah

Pais

Pinot Noir

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Carmenere in Chile

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Nearly extinct in France after Phllyoxera, though before this it was a regular ingredient in Bordeaux.

Originally mistaken for Merlot in Chile

In Bordeaux had trouble ripening, and is better suited to Chile where it produces wine with red fruit, spice and berries, with softer tannin than cab.

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Sauvignon Blanc in Chile

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Recently discovered the many of the SB plantings are actually a less aromatic grape called Sauvignon Vert (Friulano in Italy). Most have been replanted, but they aren't always differentiated on the label.

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Chilean Wine Laws

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Denominacion de Origen (DO)

Geographic place laws analogous to AVAs

No sub-categories for lower quality wines as in Europe.

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Chilean Minimum requirements for Origin, Vintage, and Variety

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75%, but many export oriented wineries use 85% to Export to EU

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Chillean Appellations

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DOs as well as geographical terms:

Costa (Coast)

Entre Cordilleras (between the Mountains)

Andes

May be used if 85% of the grapes grown in stated origin

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Climate Regions of Chile

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From N to S

Atacama (limited production, mostly for pisco)

Coquimbo

Aconcagua

Central Valley

Del Sur

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Valley Regions of Chile in the Coquimbo region

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From N to S

Elqui Valley

Limari Valley

Choapa

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Elqui Valley

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In Chile, bordering the Atacama desert.

Historically not a grape producing region, but high altitude vineyards now producing: Cab, Merlot, Carmenere, Chardonnay, Sauv blanc, and cool climate Syrah

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Limarí Valley

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In Chile (Coquimbo Region)

Cooling Pacific fog and Humboldt current makes an ideal climate for mineral driven whites.

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Choapa Valley

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(Coquimbo Region)

At Chile's narrowest point. Desert like conditions with less the 5 in of rain annually. Small amounts of Cab and Syrah produced

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Aconcagua Climate Region of Chile

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Named after the Aconcagua River.

Valley Subregions:

Aconcagua Valley (warmest and Mediterranean)

Casablanca Valley (most coastal and cool)

San Antonio Valley (also cool)

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Casablanca Valley

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Aconcagua Region of Chile

Maritime influence due to coastal proximity and fog. Specializes in white wines (75%), especially Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Also gaining a reputation for Pinot Noir

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San Antonio Valley

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Aconcagua Region of Chile.

Close to Ocean, cool climate with slow grape ripening. Pinot, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauv Blanc are leading varieties.

Leyda Valley is a leading subzone known for complex mineral wines from granitic soil

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Leyda Valley

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A subzone within the San Antonio Valley. Granitic soil and breezy climate. Mineral driven complex wines

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Central Valley Region of Chile

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80% of Chile's current growing area

Most General of its Appellations

Runs from Santiago south 230 miles.

Subregions: Maipo valley, Rapel Valley, Curico Valley, Maule Valley

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Maipo Valley

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Closest to Santiago. In Central Valley region.

Historical heart of the country and center of winemaking.

Urban growth has resulted in loss of some vineyards.

Specializes in cabernet and well balanced reds. Merlot, Chard, Carmenere, SB, and Syrah also.

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Rapel Valley

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In Central Valley region of Chile.

Cachapoal Valley: warm but not hot climate. Cab, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenere.

Colchagua Valley: full-bodied reds from Cab, Syrah, Carmenere.

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Curico Valley

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In Central Valley region of Chile.

Located inland with no maritime influence.

Even between reds and whites.

Leading grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet., Carmenere

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Maule Valley

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In Central Valley region of Chile, southern end.

Valley floor broadens here, and thus is one of the largest and oldest subregions.

Dry climate with ocean influences. Lots of Organic viticulture

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Del Sur (Sourthern Regions)

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In Chile, the furtherest south of the wine regions. Cooler climate is result of latitutde more than maritime influence.

Itata and Bio-Bio are the main subzones

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Itata Valley

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In Southern Chile

Specializes in Cabernet and Merlot

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Bio Bio Valley

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Second most sourtherly region of Chile. Highest rainfall but due to wind there is little humidity.

Pinot and Chardonnay are the main grapes

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Malleco Valley

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Furthest south in Chile. Short growing season. Some Chardonnay and Pinot grown here.

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Brazil Wine Production

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Largest landmass but 3rd in production in S. America.

Wine was historically not exported due to quality issues, which have been improving

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Main wine-producing state of Brazil

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Rio Grande do Sul (south eastern Brazil)

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Subregions of Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul

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Serra Gaucha (with the only DO in Brazil)

Campanha

Serra do Sudeste

Campos de Cima da Serra

Planalto Cararinense

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Vale dos Vinhedos DO

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In Serra Gaucha region of Brazil. The only DO. Chardonnay and Merlot lead, and must have a min 85% for varietal wines

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Uruguay Geography and Climate

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Country within winegrowing zone, but high humidity amd subtropical temperature make winegrowing challenging. Most vineyards are located along the S. coast near Montevideo to take advantage of the Atlantic coast

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Leading grapes of Uruguay

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Tannat (hearty tannic grape from SW France)

Other grapes include: Cab, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Gris