"If there is anywhere a place that encompasses the perfect match of climate, soil, costs, human resources, and, above all, freedom for creativity and minimal bureaucracy to hinder the genuine development of a new and exceptional viticulture, that place is undoubtedly Argentina... Argentina's potential for wine making is amazing and the diversity of its future prospects is dramatic."
--- Michael Rolland, Wines of Argentina (published 2003)
Located in the South American continent, Argentina stretches in area of around 2.7 million sq km and is one of the biggest ecological reserves in the world. The land of Tango and a country obsessed with passionate culture, Argentina is today one of the biggest tourist spots in the world especially for travelers form Europe and US.
Most of the inhabitants of Argentina are mainly Europeans who settled after the Spanish colonization in 1860s, majority of which are from Spain, Italy, Germany and France. These people brought with them, the exceptional wine making techniques, which today is one of the key emerging industries in Argentina .
Argentina makes 55% more wines than sixth biggest producer of wines, South Africa, most of which is consumed within Argentina itself .
According to one review by USA today, March 24, 2000
"Argentina has long been among the world's top five wine producers. But until recently, most of it was consumed within the country...Given the recent extensive vineyards plantings near the eastern slope of Andes and the Latin American food trend in the USA, the time is ripe for wines from Argentina"
Recently, Argentina has increased the trend towards exporting its wines to different parts of the world, most of which are mainly exported to US and Europe.
Stephen Tanzer, owner of Internationalwinecellar.com,on a comparison between Chilean wines and Argentine wines writes:
"Chile is a great disappointment to me. They've lost an opportunity. Fifteen years ago, people were discovering these great, cheap $5 Chilean bottles. Now, the makers have pushed all the good fruit up into their prestige bottling. But it's hard for them to compete at that level against France and California. Meanwhile, they've drained the more modestly priced level of production of the good fruit. I prefer Argentinean Wines. They're more expensive-- $20 to $30 per bottle--but the Argentinean Cabernets and Malbecs are more concentrated than the Chilean wines, ripe and slightly rustic. They're real wines, with more character than the more commercial Chilean Bottles. "
---Excerpt from a winebusiness.com interview with Stephen Tanzer, 2002
A wide range of wines grow under the Argentine skies, majority of which grows in Mendoza, which lies at the foothills of Andes mountain ranges .Mendoza has 141,080 hectares of land devoted to grape production. This region is situated at 2,500 feet above sea level. At these high elevations, there is better exposure to Ultra violet rays, and higher contrasts between day and night temperatures ideal for grape production. Such a great combination of climate, soil, light, temperature and low humidity are the key favorable factors for wine production in Mendoza.
In the valleys leading down from the Andes, currents of air make for greater differentials. Because of the dryness of the climate, diseases such as mildew and botrytis are rare and most grapes ungrafted. The vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina are inhospitable to Grape Phylloxera, a serious pest of commercial grapevines worldwide which once destroyed 2 million hectares of vineyards in France in late 19th century. This notorious pest also attacked Californian vineyards, threatening a loss of 20,000 hectares by the end of the century. Argentine wines are the some of the most "natural" wines of the world- the grape in France is normally treated 12-18 times a year (by pesticides). In Argentina the grape only requires only 2-4 treatments hence offering a range of Organic wine varieties.
THE REDS
MALBEC
It is a red variety coming from the southwest of France and is one of the best varieties that has adapted well to the Argentine soil. Initially known as "the French grape" in Argentina, it is now grown in the province of Mendoza, in the regions of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu as these areas have a wide day-night temperature difference. In Argentina, over 50,000 hectares of land is devoted to this grape variety.
With very intense concentrated purple color and pleasant taste, it ranks amongst the top wines in the world. It has velvet texture and long soft flavor, and consists of aromas of berry fruits, plums, cherries and honey. As it is poured in glass, it gives secondary scents of coffee, wood and vanilla.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This wine is historically associated with grand Bordeaux wines from France and is also the most widely recognized red variety in the world due to its adaptation to different regions without losing its typicality and essence (hence called king of red wines). In Argentina it is grown from Salta to Rio Negro regions. Almost 13,000 hectares of land is devoted to this grape , in Argentina.
The potential and challenge for world class quality from Argentina's finest vineyards continues to be more and more evident with each new vintage, not only with Malbec, but also with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay, all noble varietals."
---Robert Parker; Wines of Argentina (published 2003)
This red wine is tinged with deep purple and navy blue notes and gives an aroma of red fruit, cocoa, dried fruits, pepper and raspberries. It is a wine rich in tannin and blends well with less tannic wines like merlot and cabernet franc. It requires careful processing as when it grows old; its bouquet increases while its natural astringency diminishes. After a brief stay in wood, followed by a year in bottle, it achieves elegant complexity.
SYRAH
This wine of French origin is one of the great blended wines. It is found in Valley de Uco of Mendoza. It is the most renowned wine after Bordeaux and burgundy from France. In the Cuyo region this wine is also known as balsamina or balsamine and in Argentina, this grape variety covers 7939 hectares of land.
This wine is aged in wooden casks and then in the bottle to give a solid wine, rich in tannin, vigorous and long conversation. To the eye, it has purple tinges with aromas of berries, spices and leather. It is a velvety wine, captivating the palate with its reminiscence of close and dry figs. It is a grape of late maturation and produces wine of soft great quality, apt for aging.
CABERNET FRANC
This red wine variety is genetically recognized as the parent of the famous Cabernet Sauvignon however the major difference lies in the way these grapes are grown and fermented.
The wine is thinner skinned, earlier ripening grapes and lower in overall acidity. It ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon. It can survive colder winters but is very susceptible to damages by spring frosts. It exhibits fruitier and sometimes, vegetable or herbal flavor and is usually a lighter wine in both color and tannins. It has an aroma of spices, often reminiscent of plums and especially violet. It is a very common variety to be used as a secondary element in blended wines like Bordeaux or Meritage instead as a stand-alone wine.
TEMPRANILLO
This Spanish origin variety is grown in the valley of Cuyo. Argentina is the second country with the largest surface planted with Tempranillo vines in the world. The grape of this variety called tempranillo, still remains the same, maintaining its originality.
This wine possesses aroma of berries, and is blends well with cabernet sauvignon and graciano. Initially in Argentina, this variety was used to make low-cost, mass-produced wines; however now the trend is changing to production of high quality tempranillo wines.
THE WHITES
CHARDONNAY
This wine originates from Burgundy France, with synonyms like Aubaine (Côte d' Or), Auvernat Blanc (Orlénais), Beaunois (Chablis). These wines are spread in 4,600 hectares of area in Mendoza, in the colder regions, which allow for slow maturation and good acidity.
It is one of the best sparkling wines in the world that is light, delicate and fruity. The wine also can be structured, oily, lactic wine, rich in vanilla aromas. This is a very fine wine variety with yellow to greenish yellow tones and blends aromas of ripe banana, melon, peach or red grapefruit. However in colder weather, fruit notes such as apple and pineapple predominate. Chardonnay is a medium-productive white variety with compact clusters that has small, spherical berries that are yellow-amber at maturity. Over-ripeness of the grape result in honey flavors. Fermentation in oak results in aromas of vanilla, butter and honey.
Of course, "you can't dismiss Chardonnay. It's the driving force for American wine consumption," says George Rose of Allied Domecq, the international beverage conglomerate that owns Balbi. "Chardonnay is incredible in Argentina,” says Catena." Altitude is the key. At different altitudes you get different characters. For example, more acidity from higher altitudes, more tropical flavors from lower altitudes. When you blend them together you get a more interesting wine with a lot of layers of flavor."
CHENIN BLANC
Coming from Anjou, Center-west of France, this wine clone variety has excellent productivity and oenological characteristics. In Mendoza it is grown in the valley of Cuyo, in area of 3566 hectares.
This wine is characterized with medium-sized, full and compact clusters with yellow-gold, ellipsoidal berries and has accentuated perfume. Because of its tight clusters it is susceptible to rot.
RIESLING
It is a classical German grape variety and spread in many parts of the world and can be dry, sweet, light or full-bodied. In Argentina it is not yet fully developed; however in other parts of the world it predominates especially in Australia, New Zealand and California.
This wine variety has a small cluster with small, spherical, yellow-gold berries. It has a characteristic delicate perfume. It is a vigorous variety with medium productivity although it is susceptible to rot. In the market the Riesling varieties are distinguishes by citric and herbal aromas, their light body and a well-marked acidity.
SEMILLON
Coming from south west of France, this variety is found in Valle de Uco in Mendoza and at present about 1300 hectares of land is devoted to this wine type. Semillon has different synonyms depending on the region where it is found. It constitutes a well-defined entity in the Cuyo, known only by this name. In Mendoza it is mainly found in Alto Valle de Rio Negro and Valle de Uco.
This variety has the great virtue of getting rotten and under certain conditions of heat and humidity, a fungus (Botrytis cinerea) softens the grape skin allowing it to dehydrate and the sugar contained by the grain to concentrate, to produce a sweet creamy wine. Characteristically this wine is light yellow, with aromas of wet straw, bland and possesses fruity flavors. Pale, frank yellow Semillon is used in the production of sparkling wines.
VIOGNIER
This wine originates from South of Gaul, and is grown in province of San Juan and Mendoza.
To the nose it is a fresh and fruity wine with floral touches. To the mouth it is complex with secondary flavor of oak.
TORRONTES
This native Argentine wine is predominantly grown in the La Roja province in Mendoza and Salta. In the province, almost 12000 hectares of cultivated area is dedicated to this variety. This excellent fine Argentine grape dates back to the times when viticulture had just started in Argentina.
It is a light, young, fresh and easy to drink wine with golden color, reminisces flowers, green herbs, rose and beeswax. It grows with Latin passion in the mouth. When well elaborated, it is a bright, clean, greenish yellow wine with memories of rose, honey, orange peel and ripe tropical fruits.
There are two varieties of torrontes developed in Argentina.
Torrontes Mendocino has medium-sized clusters with yellow-gold, spheroid, somewhat perfumed berries and its economic importance is growing.
Torrontes Riojano has large, loose clusters with white-yellow-gold, perfumed berries. This variety is widespread in the Argentine northwest, principally in the provinces of La Roja and Catamarca, where it produces highly desirable wines and liquors. It is very important in San Juan where it is known as Malvasia.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
This white wine grape variety originates from Bordeaux and the la Loira Valley, in France. In Argentina, it is grown in valleys of Mendoza and has gained a significant place among the fine white wine varieties. This variety in Argentina gets no oak treatment and according to Johnson from samcooks.com "Sauvignon blanc has a better future than Chardonnay because it loves heat."
With citric and herbal aromas, these wines sometimes are one of the most complex and thickest wines.
Article written by:
PRIMROSE GANDHI