Climate and Natural Factors
South America, adjacent to Chile, high altitude, dry, continental climate Mendoza is the key production area with warmer areas providing riper grapes for tank and carbonated wines Cooler areas include Uco Valley and Luyan du Cuyo, with their high elevation and high diuranal benefiting the growth of just ripe, low potential alcohol and high acid grapes for traditional method wines Newer and growing plantings in the southern areas of Rio Negro and Neuquin in Patagonia are cooler due to their southern latitude in the southern hemisphere and wide diurnal range due to continentality Some vineyards in San Juan region Human Factors and Yield New world so little is required and experimentation/flexibility in viticulture and wine production is allowed There is little humidity and therefore low risk of fungal diseases Frost, hail and untimely rain as well as nematodes are key risks here. Viticultural Factors and Harvest Harvest is early for higher acid wines in traditional method wines. 1-2 months earlier to avoid high potential alcohol Grape(s)
Blending? Traditional method wines are a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Regional blending is common to achieve balance in the wines Maturation 2nd Fermentation Traditional Method with some transfer method employed – Traditional method is the process in which a second fermentation takes place in the bottle in which it will later be sold. No standard required but practice is usually 12 months with some going longer. Baron B Unique produces premium wines that start with 18 months on lees at their least expensive range. Tank wines are according to standard practices. Bottling Brut dominates the Traditional method wines Production Relatively small production but significant investment in place – including exclusion of the 12% tax in exchange for more investment. Style(s) Traditional method mid- premium priced wines, medium intensity, ripe apple and lemon with light autolytic notes – medium to medium + acidity, medium to medium + body and medium alcohol Vast majority are white wines Carbonated wines of various varieties - with Pedro Gimenez, Chenin, Semillon Tank method wines dominate production and are mostly chardonnay and pinot noir. – Fruity and off-dry to medium dry. Most popular style is Seco – brut at 11 g/l tank method wine Marketing and Business considerations History is Moet and Chandon investment in Mendoza in the 1959 timeframe 160 companies producing sparkling wine with the majority in Mendoza Leading companies are Moet Hennessy, Llorente, Mumm and Norton Investment by Freixenet and Sogrape
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Wine Up and DownDennis Smith, IWP, AWE, WSET 3, NPWE Archives
October 2021
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