🔥 Warm up question
Here are some statements on common rootstocks used in vineyards in the Americas. Only one of them is CORRECT:
AXR1 gives higher yields than traditional rootstocks. Many Californian vineyards were planted using this rootstock in the 1950s, but growers soon realized that AXR1 had some Vitis vinifera ancestry. Large-scale replanting started in the 1980s as phylloxera found its way into the region.
The majority of Argentinean grapevines are ungrafted, though phylloxera is present in the country. Today, more new plantings are opting for rootstocks that give additional benefits, such as resistance to nematodes and tolerance to salinity.
Riparia Gloire and C3309 are common in high-latitude continental regions such as New York State and Ontario. Their resistance to phylloxera, winter hardiness, adaptability to cool, wet soil, and moderate lime tolerance make them ideal for the harsh winters and short growing seasons there.
Chile is blessed with the absence of phylloxera. Its silty soil, remote position, and the protection of the Andes prevent the louse from plaguing vineyards. Although the threat of nematodes exists, few growers are looking to use rootstocks.
You will find the correct answer at the end of the today’s newsletter 😉
✒️ Practice question
Question seven from the January 2021 exam
Explain how topography and climate (40% weighting) and grape varieties (60% weighting) result in diversity in Argentina’s RED wines.
✔️ Examiner’s Report
Copyright © Wine and Spirit Education Trust
This question was split into two parts, with a larger weighting given to grape varieties. It was disappointing to see many candidates writing more for part one, which had the lower weighting.
Topography and climate were well answered by most and candidates had a good grasp of the different regions and the importance of altitude. Better candidates understood that there are some features of climate in Argentina that result in variations in wine quantity and quality from one year to the next, e.g. the zonda, hail, frost and El Niño, but many omitted climatic hazards and missed out on marks.
For part two (grape varieties), as expected Malbec was generally covered in good detail, but other red varieties were given brief mentions or in many cases omitted altogether. Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah were considered the key secondary red varieties and candidates who failed to mention these missed out on marks. Marks were also available for other varieties. A lot of candidates neglected to mention the importance of blends and how blending different varieties adds to the diversity of styles.
Candidates who gave examples of producers to illustrate the points they were making stood out from the crowd, but most gave no examples and often gave the impression of limited understanding.
It was important that candidates read the question carefully and noted that this question was not asking for a description of the topography, climate and grape varieties in Argentina, but how this results in diversity in Argentina’s red wines. Many candidates didn’t address the diversity of red wines and this was the big differentiator between those who gained a basic pass and those who gained a higher grade. It is extremely important that candidates read and re-read the question and make sure they understand what the question is asking for. Candidates who spend a few minutes planning their answers before they start to write are far more likely to answer the question as set. Also, planning allows time to think about the structure of the answer – too many answers were clearly unplanned and jumped backwards and forwards between parts one and two.
Finally, a handful of candidates wrote about white wines which were irrelevant to this question, so even if the facts were correct, no marks could be gained.
🤖 AI Answer 2.0
This answer is generated by Claude 3.0 Opus, which uses current internet data. While it has received more training, the answer AI produces is far from perfect. Please read this sample answer as if it’s by a fellow coursemate. How does your own answer compare? How would your mark it if you were the Examiner?
Argentina's diverse topography, climate, and grape varieties contribute to a wide range of red wine styles across the country's wine regions.
Topography and climate play a crucial role in shaping Argentina's red wines. The Andes Mountains, stretching along the country's western border, create a rain shadow effect, resulting in low annual rainfall (as little as 200 mm in some areas). This necessitates irrigation, allowing growers to control vine vigor and yield. The mountains also provide a range of altitudes for viticulture, from 500m to over 3,000m. Argentina's vineyards, 75% of which are in Mendoza, span from 24°S to 38°S, offering a variety of latitudes. The combination of altitude and latitude significantly impacts wine styles.
High-altitude vineyards, such as those in the Uco Valley (850-1,500m), experience cooler temperatures and a wide diurnal range (over 20°C). This extends the growing season, allowing grapes to retain acidity and develop complex aromatics while achieving phenolic ripeness. The intense sunlight at high elevations leads to thicker grape skins, resulting in wines with deep color, high tannins, and ample anthocyanins. In contrast, lower-altitude sites like those in East Mendoza (500-700m) have warmer conditions, producing riper, fuller-bodied wines with softer tannins.
Latitude also influences red wine styles. Northern regions like Salta (24-26°S) have high-altitude vineyards (1,500-3,000m) that compensate for the shorter growing season at lower latitudes. The intense sunlight and UV exposure in Salta yield concentrated wines with high alcohol and tannins. Southern regions like Patagonia (38-39°S) have a cooler, longer growing season due to higher latitude and lower altitude (around 400m). This results in elegant, well-balanced red wines with fresh fruit character.
Argentina's red wine diversity is further driven by its key grape varieties:
Malbec (20% of total plantings): Argentina's signature grape thrives in various climates, producing a range of styles. In warmer, lower-altitude sites like Maipú and the Calchaquí Valley (Salta), Malbec yields full-bodied, intense wines with ripe black fruit, soft tannins, and high alcohol (14-15%). In cooler, high-altitude areas like the Uco Valley, Malbec exhibits red and black fruit, firmer tannins, and higher acidity. Old vine Malbec from Luján de Cuyo offers concentration and complexity.
Bonarda (2nd most planted red grape): Mainly grown in warmer regions like East Mendoza and San Juan, Bonarda produces deep-colored wines with red and black fruit, medium tannins, and moderate acidity. Old vine Bonarda from Maipú and Luján de Cuyo can yield more structured, complex examples.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Performing best in cooler sites with good sunlight exposure, Cabernet Sauvignon contributes to age-worthy red blends and varietal wines. In premier regions like the Uco Valley, it displays ripe cassis, firm tannins, and hints of spice and mint, with the potential for long aging.
Syrah: Grown extensively in warmer areas of San Juan, Syrah produces full-bodied, high-alcohol wines with ripe black fruit and spice notes. In cooler sites, it yields more elegant, peppery wines with firmer tannins.
Pinot Noir: Thriving in cooler climates, Pinot Noir has found success in Patagonia and high-altitude Uco Valley vineyards. These regions produce concentrated, medium-bodied Pinots with bright red fruit, silky tannins, and fresh acidity.
Other red varieties like Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Tannat contribute to Argentina's red wine diversity, either as varietal wines or in blends.
Argentina's unique interplay of topography, climate, and grape varieties results in a broad spectrum of red wine styles. From the powerful, intense Malbecs of Salta to the elegant Pinot Noirs of Patagonia, Argentina's red wines showcase the country's diverse terroir and viticultural heritage. As producers focus on site-specific expressions and experiment with new varieties and blends, Argentina's red wine landscape continues to evolve, offering consumers an exciting array of styles at various price points.
Pretty solid answer! I would mention the diversity within Malbec (coop in La Rioja vs premium producers, different clones, blends with Bonarda and/or Cab) as well, just to demostrate that I am aware that Argentinean Malbec isn’t a one-trick pony 🫡
👀 And the correct answer for the warm up is…
3 is the only 100% factually correct statement.
❌ AXR1 gives higher yields than traditional rootstocks. Many Californian vineyards were planted using this rootstock in the
1950s1970s, but growers soon realized that AXR1 had some Vitis vinifera ancestry. Large-scale replanting started in the 1980s as phylloxera found its way into the region.❌ The majority of Argentinean grapevines are ungrafted, though phylloxera is present in the country. Today, more new plantings are opting for rootstocks that give additional benefits, such as resistance to nematodes and tolerance to
salinitydrought.✔️ Riparia Gloire and C3309 are common in high-latitude continental regions such as New York State and Ontario. Their resistance to phylloxera, winter hardiness, adaptability to cool, wet soil, and moderate lime tolerance make them ideal for the harsh winters and short growing seasons there.
❌ Chile is blessed with the absence of phylloxera. Its
siltysandy soil, remote position, and the protection of the Andes prevent the louse from plaguing vineyards. Although the threat of nematodes exists, few growers are looking to use rootstocks.
Course material:
AXR1, a.k.a Ganzin 1 - WSET Diploma in Wine D3 textbook p396
Argentinean rootstocks - textbook p484
New York State - textbook p445
Chile - textbook p466
More rootstock info at different levels:
Level one - Professor Alex Maltman has written a fantastic “rootstock 101“ on Decanter. This is a great place to begin.
Level two - Researchers at UC Davis has put together a more technical piece here, if you would like to dig into the finer details.
Level three - Here is a full-blown scientifc study by Cornell University on the effects of rootstocks on Chardonnays in New York State vineyards, using data since 1993. Enjoy ready 📖
And a big shout out to Troy who spotted a silly mistake in yesterday's send out. The complete list of AOC Bordeaux wines has been updated, along with a new (but not necessarily better) AI answer.
Have a great Tuesday! 🥰