Argentinian wine

High-altitude wine

Argentina is one of the largest wine-producing countries in the world. The vineyards lie in the west, in a long strip along the Andes. The climate is dry and sunny, with little rainfall. The vines get their water from the mountains: snowmelt is channelled to the vineyards. The altitude is a defining feature. Many vineyards lie at 700 to 1,500 metres, and even higher in the north. It is warm there during the day, but temperatures drop sharply at night. This gives the grapes plenty of colour and ripe fruit flavours while allowing them to retain their freshness. Spanish colonists were already planting vines here in the sixteenth century. In the nineteenth century, immigrants from France, Italy and Spain brought new grape varieties and their expertise.

Mendoza is by far the most important region. Well-known subregions include Luján de Cuyo and Maipú, close to the city, and the higher-altitude Uco Valley, with places such as Tupungato and Altamira. Malbec originally comes from France, from Cahors and Bordeaux. In Argentina, the grape proved so well suited to its new home that it became the national grape. Cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, bonarda and, for white wine, chardonnay are also grown here. Torrontés is the typically Argentinian white grape: floral and aromatic, especially from Salta in the north. In the south, in Patagonia, it is cooler and they also make pinot noir.