Argentina has a strong hold on the world wine market; learn more about their main regions, their grape varieties, their terroir, and their climate.
Over the past decade, developments in the Argentine wine trade have been truly remarkable.
Argentina is one of the world's largest wine-producing countries, with over 2,000 producers. However, until about the mid 1990s, its wine industry had made little impact on the world wine scene and its total output was destined, almost exclusively, for the home market. But then, things changed. Heavy foreign investment, the advent of foreign consultants and the introduction of new technology, along with a strong sense of commitment, led to rapid progress within the country's wine industry. Initially, investment was channelled into the regions with the greatest potential, around Mendoza. Apart from a major setback in 1998, when River Elño flooded and wiped out all that year's crop, developments continued at an amazing pace. The industry took drastic measures to recover from the aftermath of the flood and went on, the following year to produce one Argentina's best vintages ever! Argentina, for the first time, suddenly found itself successfully competing on the world wine market.
Origins of wine production in Argentina:
As well as being the largest wine-producing country in Latin America, it is also one of the oldest.
Way back, in the mid-sixteenth century, vines were planted by Jesuit missionaries, in the foothills of the Andes. A descendant of these vines still survives in the form of Criolla, the country's staple grape. However, it was the construction of a railway connection between Mendoza and Buenos Aires, in 1885, that was largely responsible for the creation of Argentina's modern wine industry. This railway opened up communication, with successive waves of French, Italian and Spanish immigrants seeking work in the area and bringing with them their wine-making skills.
The main wine-producing regions of Argentina:
The vast expanse of Argentina's vineyards is located along the country's western flank. They extend for over 2,000 kilometres, from the Cafayate Valley, high up in Salta, in the north, through Mendoza, in the centre, right down to the sunken and protected Rio Negro Valley, to the south east, in Patagonia.
Mendoza is the centre of Argentine's wine industry. This lively, modern city, with good communication links, is surrounded by vineyards and wineries. The province of the same name accounts for approximately three-quarters of Argentina's total output and is recognised as the country's best grape growing region.
Climate and terroir of the Mendoza region:
It is no coincidence that nearly all the major wineries are concentrated in the Mendoza region, as its continental climate is ideal for growing "Vitis Vinifera" (vines producing major, quality grape varieties). The region has sufficient, but not excessive sunshine in summer and early autumn. The Mendoza region also enjoys a low humidity. The only real drawback is the lack of rainfall, but the Andes compensate for this, by providing a natural source of water for irrigation purposes. Owing to its hot climate and minimum rainfall, Argentina, however, has had no option but to develop a unique irrigation system, in order for its vines and other crops to survive.
The soil types of the region offer a combination of light and sandy and heavier, clay-based alluvial soils. Vineyard locations vary in altitude between 500 and 1,200 metres above sea level, depending on their proximity to the Andes.
Grape Varieties:
Red Malbec and white Torrontés are the two main grapes produced in Argentina.
Main characteristics of the red Malbec grape:
Unlike in south west France, Malbec is at its best in Argentina. The grape's deep, rich colours and intense, juicy flavours are largely responsible for putting the country on the world wine map. It style ranges from simple and juicy to complex and powerful. It has a slightly perfumed, blackberry flavour, with overtones of damson, black cherry, liquorice and chocolate. Malbec makes a good candidate for aging.
Main characteristics of the Torrontes white grape:
This spicy, highly aromatic grape variety produces some of Argentina's most distinguished white wines.
Other grape varieties include Spain's red Tempranillo and Garnacha, Italy's red varieties, Sangiovese and Barbera and international favourites such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz. Whites include Chardonnay and the Criolla grape, which originated in Europe and is used to produce rosé as well as white wines.
Experiments are also currently being carried out using Viognier, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Riesling, amongst others. San Juan, approximately 170m kilometres north of Mendoza and the country's second largest wine producing region is concentrating its efforts, nowadays, on becoming a centre of viticultural excellence. Some superb Sémillons and Chardonnays are making it on to the top end of the market. The future looks promising.
Finally, Argentina's wine industry has taken up the challenge and succeeded. It now competes worldwide, both on price and quality. However, there is also a risk that this country, like other New World countries, will forsake its roots. In its scramble to please the international palate with high volumes of wines produced from "Vitis Vinifera" grape varieties, it may also abandon its unique styles and individual character.
