Easy Understanding of Patagonia Wine Region
IN THIS LESSON
Two Main Regions
Rio Negro:
Lying at latitude 38 degrees south, Rio Negro is the most southerly of the two regions. Like the broader Patagonia, its climate is continental with temperatures that approach 68℉ in the summertime. Relatively moderate daytime temperatures, coupled with significant day/night temperature differentials, allow the grapes to ripen slowly, ensuring a balanced development of sugars and acids. Rainfall averages around 7 inches per year, which is relatively low, requiring careful water management for viticulture. The soil in Rio Negro, known as "bardas," is composed of various types of sand, sometimes thick and gravel-like, at the foot of elevations similar to cliffs formed by river erosion.
Neuquén:
Neuquén is the youngest of the Argentine wine regions. It is surrounded by the Limay and Neuquén Rivers, with most of the vineyards located in an area 50 miles west of Rio Negro's High Valley. This arid area has been transformed into fertile agricultural land through a sophisticated irrigation system. A canal channels water from the Neuquén River into a 6500-km network of irrigation pipes spread across the region. The climate in Neuquén is continental, with summertime temperatures ranging between 53 and 59℉ and diurnal temperature variations of as much as 35℉. Vineyards here are planted on chalky soils at elevations ranging from 100m to 400m. A unique feature of the lower valley of the Neuquén River and Alto Valle de Río Negro is a compact soil layer found at depths of 40cm to 120cm (1 to 3 feet), which limits root development and increases hydric stress.
Climate
The climate in Patagonia is continental, characterized by abundant sunshine and significant temperature differences between day and night. A notable feature of the region is La Zonda, a 25-mph warm, dry wind that descends from the hillsides. This wind plays a dual role: it provides warmth to higher altitudes and helps to cleanse the area of potential vine diseases, but its strength can also damage vines. Consequently, vineyards are often surrounded by trees and nets to protect them from the wind's force.
Topography
Soils:
Rio Negro: The soils, known as "bardas," are composed of various types of sand, sometimes thick and gravel-like, found at the foot of elevations resembling cliffs formed by river erosion.
Neuquén: The region features chalky soils and plains at the foot of the mountains, as well as high river terraces. A notable soil characteristic in the lower valley of the Neuquén River and Alto Valle de Río Negro is a compact layer found at depths of 40cm to 120cm, which restricts root growth and increases hydric stress.
Rivers:
The Neuquén River meets the Limay River near the city of Neuquén, forming the Río Negro, which flows eastward towards the Atlantic Ocean. These rivers play a crucial role in the irrigation and agriculture of the region.
Mountains:
Patagonia encompasses the southern section of the Andes Mountains, featuring a diverse landscape that includes lakes, fjords, temperate rainforests, glaciers in the west, and deserts, tablelands, and steppes to the east. The region is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, with several significant bodies of water, such as the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel, and the Drake Passage to the south, connecting the two oceans.
