Podcasts Arts Wine for Normal People Ep 285: Mendoza, Argentina and it's many facets

Ep 285: Mendoza, Argentina and it's many facets

Published: July 15, 2019, 10:05 p.m.

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Mendoza is Argentina\\u2019s most important and prolific wine region, representing two-thirds of the nation\\u2019s wine production. We talk about the effect of altitude and other geographical features that make this area so unique. Then we break down sub regions and discuss the incredible diversity that guarantees there is a wine style for every palate out of this beautiful, mountainous wine region.

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Here are the show notes:

First we tackle the stats and some history on the region:

  • High altitude vineyards in the Andes Mountains that range from 430-1610 M/ 1,411 \\u2013 5,282 feet
  • Latitude: 32\\u02da - 34\\u02da south
  • 151K hectares/373K acres
  • 5 large sub-regions: Valle de Uco, Primera Zona, North, East and South Mendoza Zones
  • Mendoza wine blossomed with the railroad coming through in 1885 and industrial wine production reigned for many decades. International markets weren\\u2019t a priority until the financial crisis of the late 1990s.

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Next, we discuss the unique geography and terrain\\xa0of the region:

  • We delve into the intense climate, the desert-like conditions, and how irrigation happens thanks to the inventions of the Huarapes and Incas
  • We discuss the altitude for a long time (sorry if it\\u2019s too dorky!) \\u2013 and why it is the most important thing Mendoza has going for it.
    • Most vineyards are 3,000 -5,000 feet above sea level \\u2013 big diurnals mean grapes can maintain acidity despite intense sunlight
  • Soils: Alluvial with loose sand over clay \\u2013 areas differ based on what runs down the mountain\\u2026
  • Sandy areas \\u2013 lighter, more aromatic elegance (red fruit)
  • Clay-based soils with lime: Dark, powerful Malbec

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We chat about grapes and wine colors of Mendoza

  • Red: 61.2% with the main grapes:
    • Malbec \\u2013 40%
    • Bonarda \\u2013 17%
    • Cabernet Sauvignon \\u2013 12%
    • Syrah \\u2013 9%
    • Tempranillo \\u2013 6%
  • White: 15.8%:
    • Chardonnay \\u2013 21%
    • Torront\\xe9s Riojano \\u2013 15%
    • Chenin Blanc \\u2013 7%
    • Sauvignon Blac 6.5%
  • Rose: 23%

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Then we riff on sub regions for the rest of the show!

\\xa0I.\\xa0South Mendoza:

  • San Rafael: Malbec, Bordeaux blends \\u2013 Cab, Syrah, Bonnarda, Chard, Semillon, Torront\\xe9s

II. East Mendoza

  • San Martin: Lots of coops, lots of Criolla Grande, Cereza, now moving to better wines
  • Lower altitude, a bit warmer, flabbier

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III. North Mendoza:\\xa0also warmer, can be very soft/low tannin and low acid wines

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IV.\\xa0Primera Zona: Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo \\u2013 40% of Argentina\\u2019s wineries, 881 inn total

Maipu \\u201312 districts,\\xa06% of Argentine wine

  • Familia Zuccardi, Rutini and Trapiche have vineyards here
  • Maipu is not quite as highly regarded as Lujan de Cuyo or Uco Valley

\\xa0Important Subareas:

  • Lulunta: East of Mendoza city, altitude is around 900-930m/ 3000 ft
    • Rich style of Malbec
  • Barrancas: 115 miles/185 km south of Mendoza city.Centered around the small township of the same name. Old region \\u2013 started in 1880s
    • Slightly warmer climate here and lower lower altitude \\u2013 2500 ft/750 m- softer and riper than those from other parts of Mendoza
    • Cab, Syrah, Malbec\\xa0

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Luj\\xe1n de Cuyo\\xa0\\u201314 districts,\\xa08% of Argentine wine production

  • Just south of the city of Mendoza and on higher ground to the west of Maip\\xfa
  • Vistalba and Compuertas north of the river and Perdriel and Agrelo south of it
  • Grapes: Malbec with Cab, Chard, Torrontes
  • Hot, dry, desert-like but moderated by high altitude \\u2013 average is 3300 ft/1000 m
  • Alluvial soils are the big thing here \\u2013 rocky, sandy, poor soils, mountain soils \\u2013 lots of stress on the vine
  • Catena Zapata, Bodega Septima, Cheval des Andes

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Important Subareas:

Agrelo\\xa0

  • Complex Malbec \\u2013 long-lasting, powerful wines
  • Also Cab, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc
  • In Center of Lujan de Cuyo: Bodega Septima, Pulenta Estate, Catena Zapata, Susana Bilbao

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Las Compuertas

  • At opening of the Mendoza River as it emerges from the mountains -- Las Compuertasmeans "the floodgates"
  • Malbec vines are some of the oldest in Mendoza, up to 100 years old. Other grapes: Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay
  • Famous winery: Cheval des Andes

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Perdriel\\xa0

  • Small sub-region (20 kilometers/ 13 miles) south of Mendoza
  • Some of the oldest vineyardsof Malbec and Cab
  • Wines are subtler and more refined, floral notes

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Vistalba (means "view of the dawn" in Spanish)

  • Southwest of Mendoza
  • Malbec, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Cabernet, Sauv Blanc, Bonarda
  • Slightly higher than the surrounding regions -- better air circulation
  • Wines are often elegant in style Trapiche. Bodega Vistalba

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V. Uco Valley\\xa0(Valle de Uco)-- 14% of all Argentinean wine

  • Hour\'s drive south from the city of Mendoza, famed wineries
  • Since 2006, cultivated area grown by 65%, double the size of Luj\\xe1n de Cuyo
  • Grapes: 50% Malbec, Cab Franc has potential, Chard, Torront\\xe9s
    • Each zone offers a different profile of Malbec and other wines.
  • European investment here \\u2013 from Bordeaux in particular:Lurton, Rothschild and Rolland
  • Soils: alluvial and fairly uniform: a clay and rock base with a stony, sandy surface
  • Cooler climate, slower ripening, Slightly higher above sea level Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo

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Important Sub areas:

Tupungato\\xa0

  • Vineyards planted nearly 1,200 metres (3,900\\xa0ft) above sea level \\u2013 way cooler here than farther north
  • Northern end of the Valle de Uco southwest of Mendoza.
  • Best -- Gualtallary, a precious corner
  • Violet scented Malbec: earthy, herbal and balsamic Cabernet Franc: elegant Pinot Noir

Tunuy\\xe1n\\xa0

  • All about sub-appellations:
    • Chacayes: High vineyards, full but minerally wines
    • Los \\xc1rboles: Coolest area, borders Tupungato \\u2013 Chardonnay is best here
    • Vista Flores: Prized property \\u2013 (Clos de los Siete \\u2013 Michel Rolland\\u2019s property is here)

San Carlos

  • Tunuy\\xe1n river helps influence vineyards -- sandy alluvial soils with rocks and calcareous stones are irregular and that gives a lot of diversity in style
  • Two important subregions:
    • Paraje Altamira: Fruity, earthy reds with minerality, dusty note. Excellent Semillons (Check out Finca Su\\xe1rez or Mendel)
    • La Consulta: Many old vines with intense and concentrated reds

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Please shop around, try all the different styles and let us know what you like! I promise we will be doing the same!

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Thanks to our sponsors this week:

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