Agentinian Wine
Argentina has a wide reputation for producing good wine.
It has a large wine production (11.5 million hecto-litre/year).
70% of the total pruduction comes from the Mendoza region.
Argentinian Grape Plantings
Malbec Cereza Bonarda Criolla Grande Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Pedro Ximenez Torrontés Moscatel Rosado Chardonnay Tempranillo MerlotTotal 194 000 hectares
Source: Wines of Argentina 2024
Argentinian Wine Regions
Argentina's grape growing areas are divided into 3 regions that follow the Andes ountains:
The North with Salta and Catamarca (Very high altitudes).
The Cuyo with La Rioja, San Juan, and Mendoza (High altitudes).
Patagonia with La Pampa, Neuquén, and Río Negro (Low altitudes).
The North
The Cuyo Region includes the provinces Mendoza, La Rioja and San Juan.
Salta
Very high altitude vineyards (1200 - 3000 meters above sea level).
Salta means very beautiful in the native language.
The highest vineyard in the world is Bodega Colomé at 3000 meters.
Main grape is Torrontés.
Catamarca
Also very high altitude vineyards (1000 – 2200 meters above the sea).
Sandy and desert soil stresses the vines to produce less grape clusters (higher quality).
The Cuyo Region
The Cuyo Region includes the provinces Mendoza, La Rioja and San Juan.
The Cuyo Region
Cuyo means "desert country" in the native language. It is a fertile region located in the center the country, at the foot of the Andes mountains.
With 454,703.65 acres of vineyards, Cuyo boasts 95% of the total area planted in the country which, added to its wine heritage and the high degree of development achieved by the industry, make it the most prolific region in South America and one of the most important worldwide. It is in Cuyo where the diverse character of Argentine viticulture becomes most evident.
Mendoza Province
Mendoza, at the foothills of the Andes, is the largest wine region in Argentina.
It counts for about 70% of the total Argentinian wine production.
Mendoza produces wine at both high and low altitudes (500 - 1700 meters) which creates unique flavors and consistencies.
The wines from Mendoza are intense and concentrated.
| Black Grapes | White Grapes |
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| Soil | Climate |
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Rocky Subsoil. |
High altitudes (500-1700 m)
Brilliant Sunshine. |
La Rioja
High altitudes (800 - 1500 meters).
The La Rioja valleys are characterised by hot climate, mild nights and severe drought.
The different altitudes, latitudes and great solar exposure determines the temperatures and humidity.
| Black Grapes | White Grapes |
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| Soil | Climate |
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Alluvial Origin. |
High Altitudes (800 - 1500 m). |
San Juan
High altitudes (600 - 1300 meters).
San Juan is the second largest wine region in Argentina, with 16% of the total area planted in the country.
It is one of the sunniest areas in the world, and the wines are intense and concentrated.
Syrah is the typical grape of the San Juan, followed by Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda.
Torrontés and criolla grapes (Pedro Giménez and Moscatel de Alejandría) are the popular white varieties.
| Black Grapes | White Grapes |
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| Soil | Climate |
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Alluvial |
High Altitudes (600 - 1300 m). |
The Patagonia Region
Patagonia is a source of Pinot Noir grapes for Argentinian sparkling wines
The Patagonia Region
High diurnal temeratures (the variation between high temperature and low temperature in 24 hours), derived from high latitude and low altitude, many hours of sun, low rainfall and strong winds contribute to the health of the grapes.
Grapes that thrives in cold climates reach their maximum expression here. The Merlot stands out with balanced flavours and aromatic intensity, and Pinot Noir achieves outstanding elegance.
Chardonnay acquires a harmonic and fruity aroma with a good body, and Sauvignon Blanc can produce superior qualities.
Neuquén
Altitudes (300 - 400 meters).
Neuquén, Argentinas newest wine region (1999), focus on cold climate, high-quality wines.
The climate is hot with cold nights and severe drought, with high solar exposure and permanent winds.
Poor soil stresses the vines to concentrate the berries. Factors that produce grapes with excellent health.
Río Nego
Altitudes (0-400 meters).
Río Nego focus on cold climate, high-quality wines.
Low altitude combined with higher latitude balances the temperature. The climate is continental and dry, with low rainfall and low humidity. Cold winters and warm and dry summers, gives the region a remarkable luminosity and high dinurnal temerature ranges.
The winds from the mountains increase the dryness and produces healthy vineyards.
The wines have an excellent balance between alcohol and acidity, the product of slow maturation in the grapes.
| Black Grapes | White Grapes |
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| Soil | Climate |
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Poor Soil. |
Altitudes (0-400 m). |
Argentina is New World
New WorldWhere wine grapes was imported |
| USA |
| Argentina |
| Australia |
| Chile |
| South Africa |
| New Zealand |
Chilean vineyard in the foothills of the Andes