ARGENTINE WINES

Argentina is one of the world’s largest wine-producing countries. On the past few decades, Argentine wines have grown  into their own. The sizable spans of Argentina’s vineyards are located along the country’s western border. They extend for over 2,000 kilometres, from the Cafayate Valley, high up in Salta, in the north, through Mendoza, in the center, right down to the lower-level and down to the protected Rio Negro Valley, to the south east, in Patagonia.

The reasons for this “explosion” are quite simple: the quality of the lands that extend from North to South along the Andes, the height and the temperature range, the local know-how added to state-of-the-art technologies, and particularly, the special interest of the Argentinean for their own wines, which is considered a part of the identity of the country, comparable to the famous Argentinean beef.

Though the heart of Argentina's wine industry may belong to Malbec, creative winemakers are playing the field with other varietals- and they are scoring big points… So there is much more growing in this perfect land of constant sunlight….Energetic and innovative wineries among this country's 500.000 acres of vine are crafting racy Syrahs, spicy and complex Merlots, citrusy Chardonnays and downright exciting Cabernet Sauvignons.

Yet some wine lovers still know this South American country's phenomenal flavours solely through its Malbec's, whose smokey black-fruit flavours and velvety textura have won the hearts and palates of the wine elite.

Malbec, imported from France a century ago developed its best characteristics in Mendoza, and turned into Argentinean Malbec wine, the best Malbec of the world. With typical black cherry, blackberry and spice aromas, this dark red wine is usually produced in a Bordeaux style, often aged in oak, for a result that is soft, deep, and velvety.

 

MENDOZA

The most notable and vital winemaking  region  of all Argentina is Mendoza, where nearly all the major wineries are concentrated. With its continental climate favoring grape growing, the Mendoza region is responsible for producing over 80% of total wine production in Argentina.

It’s the area that put this South American country on the winemaking map. , the place that laid back locals call the land of “sol y vino” (sun and wine) . Mendoza’s charm only seems to grow over the last few years, it has seen a 30 per cent jump in wine exports and an influx of wine-loving tourists, eager to lose themselves in mid- Andean wineries.

Mendoza’s wine industry increasingly focuses on quality, and on finding the optimum relations between different varieties and terroirs. Mendoza´s diversity is doubtlessly enviable in this respect.

Riding or biking down, through sycamore-lined roads, surrounded by rows of green vineyards and fields of olive trees, the frosted Andes reaching to the blue sky in the distance, it is hard to keep the smile off your face in Mendoza, especially after a few glasses of fiery, red Malbec…