This big, resource-rich South American country has been producing wine since the 16th century. The industry started shortly after Spanish conquistadors arrived and introduced Catholicism by building impressive cathedrals and churches. The clergy needed wine for communions and their daily diet.
Before 1980’s, Argentina produced huge quantities of wine, exported much of it in bulk, and consumed the rest. There was no pressing need to improve quality. Although the official language is Spanish, the majority of the European stock is Italian, and they like to drink a glass or two with their meals. Even children are given a glass of wine diluted with plenty of water. To an Argentine alcohol is a liquid to consume with a meal, and never abused to get intoxicated.
Wine quality was acceptable at best, and never reached levels of excellence worthy to export in bottle.
The industry was poorly organized; quality mattered little or not at all. The situation changed drastically in the 1980’s with foreign investments and enlightened approach by local wineries.
Young and promising winemakers were sent to Spain, Italy, Germany, and the U S A to study oenology, and related chemistry. New equipment including French and American oak barrels were purchased.
Truth in labelling also became important, and today, all verietal wines, destined to international markets, conform to international standards (i.e 75 per cent of variety stated on
the labels is in the blend, although some wineries routinely use 100 per cent).
Now Argentina ranks fifth in quantity produced behind France, Italy, Spain, and the U S A. Exports have grown by leaps and bounds. The U S A, Canada, and the United Kingdom are the best markets, as modern Argentinean wines represent good value.
The country has three main wine producing regions – Norte, Cuyo, and Patagonia), each of which contains several sub-regions.
Norte consists of Molinos, El Arenal and Cafayate, all in the province of Salta, and ranging in altitude between 1700 and 3000 metres. Valle de Fiambola is in Catamarca with vineyards located on 1700 metres above sea level. Norte is closest to the Equator, and by necessity, vineyards must be located on high altitudes.
Cuyo is the largest viticultural region, and located in the provinces of La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza. It consists of 18 sub-regions- Vallee de Famartina (La Rioja), Valle del Pedernal, Valle de Tulum, Valle del Zonda, (all in San Juan); Norte, Este, Lujan, Maipu, Valle de Uco Centro, San Carlos and San Rafael (all in Mendoza). The altitudes of vineyards range from 700 to 1100 metres above sea level.
Patagonia, the farthest south and coolest of all regions has two sub-regions: San Patricio del Chanar, and Alto Valle del Rio Negro. The vineyard altitude varies between 200 – 300.
Argentina has a total of 245,000 hectares under vines. The country produces mostly red wines, but white wine production is increasing rapidly.
The most popular red grape varieties are: malbec, cabernet sauvignon, bonarda, syrah, tempranillo, merlot, tannat, and pinot noor.
For white wines, winemakers prefer chardonnay, chenin blanc, sauvignon blanc, torrents, viognier, tokay friulano, moscatel de Alejandria (Muscat d`Àlexandrie), ugni blanc (trebbiano) and semillon.
Of all red grape varieties malbec is the most popular, and internationally successful. Malbec comes in an array of styles ranging from juicy-fruity quaffers to refined wines of grace and elegance, to robust, potent wines suitable for steaks and game roasts. It goes very well with grilled and/or roasted choice beef cuts, i.e strip loin of beef, rib of beef, and tenderloin of beef.
Torrontes a native white grape evolved over centuries from imported vitis vinifera varieties, emanates floral aromas and is very appealing in its youth, but unfortunately does not age well It should be consumed within a year of harvest.
Before the “wine revolution”, huge wineries dominated the market. Today, many small and medium-sized, mostly family-owned, quality-oriented wineries are gaining market share both at home and in export markets.
Here are some red wines I recommend, although many small wineries produce outstanding white wines, but unfortunately they are unavailable in export markets, and if so in very small quantities.
Malbec, 2008, Altos Las Hormigos
Malbec, 207 Andean Vineyards
Malbec 2008 Chakana
Malbec 2006, Kaiked Ultra
Signature Malbec 2007 Dominio del Plata
Broquel Malbec 2006 Trapiche
Malbec 2006 Vina Lobos
Alegoria Gran Reserva Malbec 2006 Navarro Correas
Don David Reserva Malbec 2007 Michele Torino

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Argentina, South America’s oldest and largest wine producing country, has always cherished its products, and consumed much of what was produced. Once the most affluent South American county, Argentina’s population more than 90 litres of wine per captain, albeit quality was never close to European standards, but prices were low.

This large and agriculturally well-developed country experienced many economic and political upheavals. Wine quality suffered, prices were low ad exports negligible except eastern block countries i.e U S S R, Poland, and Czechoslovakia,
Spaniards found no vine in South America, unlike Eric the Red in the eastern shores of North America. Conquistadors being urged by the clergy, imported vines in 1532 and planted vineyards on the Atlantic Coast. The damp climate proved to be inhospitable for grapes and vines failed to thrive.

Later in 1550 vines were imported from Peru to Mendoza, but the largest imports occurred six years later, this time from Chile, on the other side of the Andean Mountain chain. The most important grape variety was criolla chica, a.k.a pais in Chile and mission in California. It remained the most popular in Argentina for three centuries.

Today Argentina has approximately 223,000 hectares under vines and plantings are increasing at a rate of approximately 5000 hectares per annum.

Salta (latitude 25 South), La Rioja (30 S), San Juan (32 S), Mendoza (33 S), Rio Negro (40 S), Littoral (35 S), and Entre Rios (31 S) are the main and well-defined regions.

Mendoza provides 75 per cent of the production and 90 per cent of exports, which are increasing exponentially due to their quality and low prices.

High altitude Uco Valley in Mendoza has become the most sought vineyard land due to its suitable soil and climate.

Malbec and Mendoza are Argentina’s strong wine cards. This grape variety originally form Bordeaux thrives on Mendoza’s terroir and yields extraordinarily flavourful and powerful but balanced wines.

A variety of vitis vinifera vines thrive including malbec, syrah, bonarda (from Emilia Romagna, Italy), merlot, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, for red and torronted Riojana, pinot gris, chardonnay, riesling and gewürztraminer for whites.
Torrontes with its floral and inimitable aromas appeal to millions of young wine drinkers but most be consumed within a year of harvest to enjoy it at its best.
In the past Argentina exported little and mostly bulk wine in tanker loads, as internal consumption was high enough to absorb of much that was produced.

In the past 20 years enlightened winery owners realized that quality and not quantity was the most important ingredient to succeed. They invested in research for suitable locations, imported modern equipment and most importantly sent winemakers to the U S A , Spain, Italy, and Germany to further their education and learn new techniques.

Exports to the U S A, Canada, the United Kingdom, European countries, Japana and China have increased substantially. (UK 42 per cent, U S A 15 per cent, Brazil 48).
The following wineries are recognized for their high quality products: Achaval-Ferrer, Finca Sophenia, Cheval des Andes, Catena Zapata, Monteviejo, Bodega Francois Lurton, Bodegas y Vinedos Pasqual Toso, Eral Bravo, Mauricio Lorca, Mendel, Bodegas Norton, O’Fournier, Finca Flichman, La Riojana, Altavista, Pulenta Estate, J A Zuccardi, Finca y Bodega Vistalba, Salentin, Nieto Senetiner, David Michel Torino, and Valentin Bianchi.

During a recent tasting the following wines stood out:

Malbec 2004 Tikal Amorio
Malbec, 2006, Don David Michel Torino
Malbec Reserva, 2000, Bodegas Norton
Codus, 2000, Nieto Senetiner
Malbec, 2004, Achaval Ferrer
Quimera, 2004, Achaval Ferrer
Nicolas Catena Zapata Cabernet/Merlot, 2004, Bodegas Catena Zapata
Gernot Lauges Malbec/Cabernet, 2003, Bodegas Norton
Synthesis, 2005, Finca Sophenia
Piedra Negra Malbec Gran Reserva 2004, Bodega F Lurton

The L C B O’s general list offers a small selection of Argentina wines, but the Vintages division releases contain several, excellent wines.
You can obtain Vintages bi-monthly release catalogues for free by calling L C B O or on-line lcbo.com

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Bodega Norton Privada 2005.

Mendoza is absolutely a ‘barbecue’ wine region and this one counts. The fine is full bodied with taste of cherries and oak. Not to much oak, it just fit. It also have a hint of vanilla.

This is the first time we taste this wine and we are both positive to it and can recommend it, especially to an summer night evening at the barbecue.

Have you tasted this or another wine, you are welcome to add a dice/review in our wine guide
Winesworld.

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