Argentina was an enigma to the wine world until the late 20th century for the simple fact that the country happily consumed most of the wine it produced. Not until the late 90s when consignments of Malbec arrived in European ports that the international gaze shifted towards Southern Hemisphere’s most exciting producer of a near forgotten French grape and some other notable ferments.
The past 20 years have witnessed the perpetual rise of Argentine wine on the back of the popularity of Malbec which is practically native and the region of Mendoza where high altitude vineyards have grown the fruit to full ripeness and flavour. The success of indigenous white wine Torrontes has been the cherry on top. Argentina, the vast country that is still exploring its vinous potential so clearly there are more fermented surprises from this tireless South American producer to look forward to.
key regions
key regions
Mendoza – Mendoza is the undeniable centrepiece of Argentina’s wine industry. Malbec is the paint and Mendoza, the canvas, it has been said! This creative coming together is the backbone of Argentina’s success story – it makes 70 per cent of all the country’s wine. Mendoza lies on a high-altitude plateau at the edge of the Andes Mountains which, coupled with warm days and cool nights, gives the grapes enough time to fully ripen.
That explains the balance of rich red fruit and sprightly acidity of a vintage Mendoza Malbec which is also the case with local white wine, Torrontes which retains freshness along with crisp flavours. Over the years, Mendoza’s winemakers have added more eggs to the basket by extensively planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Cafayate – Cafayate in Argentina’s north-west region of Salta is frequently overshadowed by the majesty of Mendoza but holds its own as a cool climate region of great promise. At 1700 metres above sea level, Cafayate is perhaps one of the highest spots in the world to make wines.
The region’s alluvial soils contain pulverised mica which reflects sunlight onto the grapes, allowing them to better ripen. While Malbec is widely planted, Cafayete’s wines from white grape Torrontes have lit up palates with sprightly and aromatic wine that is beautifully balanced.
key grapes
key grapesMalbec is technically French but famously Argentine. This grape built and carried an entire industry and continues to impress on Argentina’s high altitude vineyards, especially in Mendoza. An abundance of sunlight and good growing sites allowed the Malbec to evolve a style of ripe upfront fruit and supple tannins. The Argentine style teems with flavors of cherry, plum and blackberry and has earned the refrain of a ‘working man’s Merlot.
Torrontés is a bonafide Argentine native and a thrilling New World milestone – perhaps the only white wine outside the orbit of Europe. Mendoza and Cafayete have the ideal high altitude settings to turn out exuberantly fruity and acidic Torrontes that are perfect for the summer.
Our Handpicked Wineries
Our Handpicked Wineries
Our Key Wines
