Chapter 7 – New world countries - USA, Chile and Argentina (NXPowerLite)

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CHAPTER 7 – NEW WORLD COUNTRIES: USA, Chile and Argentina

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CHAPTER 7 – NEW WORLD: USA, Chile & Argentina

Contents• USA

• California• Napa• Pacific North-West

• Chile• Main regions• Maipo

• Argentina• Main regions• Mendoza• Altitude influences

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USA

• Most wine grown in the USA is single varietal.

• A growing number are challenging European wines for quality.

• USA has wineries in many states:

California

Washington/Oregon Other scattered regions

California produces more than 90% of all USA wine

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California

• Zinfandel (based on Italy’s primitivo) is widely planted along with French Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Carignan and Barbera.

• High quality areas are Napa Valley and Sonoma County (both North Coast)

• Regions are: Southern CaliforniaSouthern California South Central CoastSouth Central Coast North Central CoastNorth Central Coast Central ValleyCentral Valley Sierra FoothillsSierra Foothills North CoastNorth Coast

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California – Napa

• Most famous wine region in USA.

• Diverse range of exposure, climate and soil.

• Gives growers versatile options:– Cabernet Sauvignon

(most common)– Chardonnay– Zinfandel– Sauvignon Blanc– Merlot

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The Pacific North-West

• The vineyards of the north-west are in the three states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

• The best wines come from cool climate grapes like Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling.

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Chile

• Internationally competitive on quality and price.

• Wine culture started in 1554 by the Spanish.

• Chile “banked” European vine cuttings as early as the 1830s.

• Chile is still free of the phylloxera louse (thanks to the Andes mountain range and strict quarantine).

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Chile

• The wine regions are mainly in Chile’s central valley.

• Cabernet Sauvignon is Chile’s flagship red grape.

• “Sauvignon” is usually Sauvignon Vert or Sauvignonasse rather than Sauvignon Blanc.

• “Merlot” is often a mixture of Merlot and Carmenere.

• Export wine vs. Domestic wine: bulk produced based on the Pais and Sultana grapes.

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Chile – Main regions

The wine regions are: AconcaguaAconcagua CasablancaCasablanca MaipoMaipo RapelRapel MauleMaule

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Chile – Maipo Valley

• Most famous region, but is not one of the largest.

• Often named on export labels.

• Headquarters of many of the major companies.

• Unlike other regions, some irrigation comes from the Maipo river (a little salty) rather than Andes melt water.

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Argentina

• Internationally competitive on quality and price.

• Viticulture was born in Argentina in 1557 by the Spanish.

• French varietals arrived in 1850.

• Argentina is the 5th largest wine producer with 6% of world production

• Internationally renowned for producing unique Malbec wines.

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Argentina

• The main grapes for red wines are Malbec (dominant), Bonarda, Tempranillo, Barbera, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (known locally as Balsamina) and Merlot.

• For white wines, the main grapes grown are Pedro Gimenez and several Torrontes varieties (all Spanish derivatives). For the export market, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc plantings are increasing.

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Argentina – main regions

The main wine regions are:

Calchaqui ValleysCalchaqui Valleys Famatina Famatina

Valleys /Valleys / La Rioja La Rioja San JuanSan Juan

MendozaMendoza Rio NegroRio Negro

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Argentina - Mendoza• The Mendoza Zone is at 33° Lat.

S, at the foothills of the Andes, from 1,060 to 650 metres high.

• Irrigation from Andes melt waters.

• Altitudes allow slow ripening of grapes.

• Sandy, deep soils.• Average annual temperature is

15°C.• Many old Malbec vines.• Outstanding Torrontes Riojano

white wines.• 70% of country’s wine

production.

Documents

Chapter 7 – New world countries - USA, Chile and Argentina (NXPowerLite)