Sunday, February 14, 2010

South America / Argentina

Argentina too suffered under the global economy until the later parts of the twentieth century, but still grew lots of wine for local consumption.

Malbec, another transplanted noble grape has taken off. Where it is a blending grape in Bordeaux, it is the king of Argentina.

70% of wine comes from Mendoza, and the majority of that is Malbec.

Maipu and Lujan are other important red regions. La Rioja grows Torrentes and in San Juan they make a style of wine similar to Sherry

Salta - is one of the highest regions, approaching 10,000 feet in a high desert climate on 150 year old vines.

Since Argentina doesn't have the temperature moderating effect of being near water, growers moderate the climate by planting at altitude. While Chile for example plants under 1000ft/sea level, Argentina plants at 4000ft plus, and in some places up to 10,000ft.

Problems with altitude include lots of hail in the spring at bud break which can wipe out the harvest.

La Zonda is a strong wind that comes up in late spring when the flowers are blooming and can wipe out fruit set. The wind comes from the Andes in the NW

Flood irrigation is often used to kill phylloxera at bud break.

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