Circuito Productivo del Vino

Introduction to Wine Production

Overview of Wine and Grape Varieties

• The wine is produced through the fermentation of grapes, specifically from the Vitis vinifera family.

• Various grape species are unsuitable for quality wine production; optimal conditions include a climate with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius and adequate sunlight for sugar development.

Growth Conditions and Harvesting

• Grapevines require specific climatic conditions, including gentle winds to reduce fungal incidence. They typically reproduce through cuttings rather than seeds.

• Harvesting occurs between February and April, with white varieties usually harvested before red ones. Manual or mechanical methods are used for grape collection.

The Winemaking Process

Key Steps in Winemaking

• After harvesting, grapes are transported to the winery where they undergo destemming to separate them from stems and leaves. This is followed by fermentation, which is crucial for transforming sugars into alcohol using yeast present on grape skins.

• Fermentation involves monitoring temperature and time carefully; it includes a process called "remontado," where liquid is circulated to aerate the mixture, enhancing yeast activity and flavor extraction.

Secondary Fermentation and Clarification

• Following primary fermentation, secondary fermentation converts malic acid into lactic acid via lactic bacteria, reducing acidity levels in the wine. This step also releases carbon dioxide gas.

• Clarification aims to produce clearer wine through natural sedimentation or filtration techniques involving egg whites or gelatin additives to remove remaining particles.

Distribution and Market Insights

Bottling and Storage

• Once clarified, wine is bottled for market distribution or further aging in bottles; labeled bottles are then stored until ready for sale.

Internal Market Dynamics

• The internal market plays a significant role in viticulture, with 75% of production consumed domestically due to export challenges over recent decades. Consumption remains stable even during economic downturns because most wines sold are low-priced varieties that aren't significantly affected by changes in consumer spending power.

Vitivinicultural Dynamics in Argentina

Overview of the Wine Sector

• The commercial balance of the wine industry is favorable, with minimal relevance of wine imports and a dynamic export sector for fine wines since the late 1990s.

• Mendoza is highlighted as the most significant province for Argentine wine production, contributing 65% to national output and accounting for approximately 84% of total exports.

• San Juan competes with Mendoza as the second-largest wine-producing province in Argentina. Since 2000, exports have expanded to countries like Japan and China, alongside major markets such as the USA, Canada, and the UK.

Export Trends