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 Wine
Argentina Regions
Cuyo - 'the land of sand' in the native huarpe tongue -
is a vast land mass to the east of the Andes Mountains; an
immense and sunny, high-altitude desert with irrigation. With
its highest point at 4,920 feet above sea level and its lowest
at 1,968, there are nearly 475,000 acres of vineyards between
the Mendoza and San Juan provinces. Common characteristics of
this array of optimal winegrowing terroirs include poor,
alluvial soil marked temperature variability in a dry, high-altitude
climate, less than 11.8 inches of annual rainfall, and strong,
at times excessive, solar exposure.
From north to south, there are 4 sub-regions with irrigable
oases:
The 4 valleys in San Juan, 3 of which surround the provincial
capital: Tulum Valley, Ullum Valley, and Zonda Valley, irrigated
by the San Juan River and the Ullum Dam. San Juan's fourth
winegrowing area is the most recent and the one that most
resembles a valley: Pedernal Valley, to the south of the
province.
The Northern Oasis, irrigated by the Mendoza and Tunuyán Rivers
and respective dikes and dams, extends 93 miles to the east and
over 30 miles from north to south. The city of Mendoza and its
satellite cities are in the heart of the oasis, surrounded by
plantings to the north, east, and south.
The Uco Valley, technically a semi-valley, is irrigated by the
Tunuyán River, open to the east, and extends 37 miles to the
south and over 12 miles on the parallel.
The Southern Oasis is irrigated by the Diamante and Atuel Rivers,
with their respective dams, and extends for nearly 50 miles,
from San Rafael to General Alvear and Villa Atuel.
Each of these winegrowing sub-regions is divided into a
number of terroirs with individual characteristics yet to be
discovered. In Cuyo, quality winegrowing with a sense of terroir
is new, and, to this day, little is known about the varietal
expressions in each terroir, beginning with the eponymous Malbec.
For more information about Cuyo's climate and terroir, please
take a look at the previously published regional introduction at
www.australspectator.com
The wine has aromatic substances that let go when they get in
touch with air. Not all the wines should be aired, only the ones
that have gone through a process of aging. In those cases, it is
recommended to oxygen them, that is to say wait between an hour
and an hour and a half before having them. The older the wine,
more decantation it has.
Source: Vineyards, Wineries & Wines of South America Edition
2005, Published by Austral Spectator – www.australspectator.com |
 Variety
White
Chardonnay originally from France, is considered the
queen of the white variety. It produces rich, balanced, dry,
with good aroma, flavor and persistence. Its aromas are like
tropical fruits as pineapple and banana.
Sauvignon Blanc has mainly a vegetable aroma, but there
could also be traces of floral, citric fruits and certain smoked
aromas.
Torrontes is the emblematic variety of Argentina that
cannot be found in Europe. It has great aromatic intensity where
the citric predominate.
Red
 Malbec originally from France, is the variety that today
represents Argentina. It produces very fruity wines, with good
concentration of color. It responds very well to the transition
through wood, it has a good power of aging. It smells of plums,
red fruits, ink, anis and in general is possesses a light sweet
flavor.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of the red wines. It
produces wines with a lot of body and structure. It’s the base
to make blend wines. With age its bouquet increases and its
natural astringency decreases. Its aromas remind you of pepper,
strawberry and cassis.
Tempranillo its name indicates the characteristics of an
early aging. Today the object of revalorization of winemakers.
 Pinot Noir with this variety the best wines of the French
Borgona are made. It’s a synonym of elegance and distinction. It
has softness and penetrating aromas. It smells of cherry,
strawberry and cassis.
Syrah wines with good body, color and spicy aromas.
Sangiovese is typical Italian variety that produces fresh
wines. Its floral aromas remind you of violets. It’s the one
that gives origin to the famous chianti.
Merlot is the younger brother of the cabernet, with good
aromatic intensity, good fruit but not as potent.
Bonarda classic of the Italian peninsula that has
extended to Argentina. Its wines are fruity. |
