Argentine Wine Education
Overview of Argentine Wine
Argentina stretches over 1 million square miles or about four times the size of France. The wide range of landscapes - the steep elevations of Salta, the majestic Andes in Mendoza, and endless plains of Patagonia - offer many ideal locations for grape growing.
So it is no wonder that Argentina is the world's 5th largest wine producer, ranking only behind France, Italy, Spain, and the US. Major exportation did not begin, however, until the 1990s when domestic consumption plummeted to only 35 liters per capita from 92 liters in the 1970s. During that same period, US wine consumption almost doubled and many higher quality Argentine wines found their way to the US and Europe.
Attitudes toward vineyard management and winemaking have changed slowly, but there is now emerging a small cadre of winemakers, viticulturists and winery owners who have set their agendas around not only making the finest wines in Argentina, but also making wines that have the style and complexity to challenge the best in the world. They have several factors in their favor:
- Elevation
- Vineyard elevations range from 2,300 to as high as 9,000 feet.
- Intense sunshine (solar radiation) with relatively cool air temperatures produces healthier vines which allows for more selective pruning and better yield management.
- High polyphenol levels result in soft tannin structure and greater flavor intensity.
- Climate
- High desert with warm summer days and cool nights (i.e. wide thermal amplitude) leads to even ripening and soft tannins without losing the acidity necessary to achieve balanced wines..
- 8 inches of rain per year means growers can control vine stress and yields.
- 300 days of sun+ cool air temperatures means grapes achieve excellent physiological ripeness at the same time that sugars are still in balance (leading to ripe wines without high alcohol levels).
- Soils
- Virtually pest-free vineyards due to low humidity and high altitudes.
- Growing areas vary from sandy to clay, but are predominantly loamy with excellent drainage.
- Most soils are low in organic material due to elevation and climate, creating additional desirable vine stress.
A wide range of varietals grow well under the sunny Argentine skies. The most important wine varieties are:
- Reds
- Malbec
- Bonarda
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Whites
- Torrontes
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
You'll also find acres of Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Semillon planted throughout Argentina's wine regions.
To learn more about Argentina's winegrowing regions and its emblematic Malbec grape, visit these fun, fact-filled pages!
- Learn more about Malbec: Take a closer look at the signature grape of Argentina
- Wine-making Regions of Argentina: Follow the map for a guided tour of Argentina's wine-making regions
- Mendoza Top 10 Facts: The must-know facts about Argentina's wine capital
- Food and Wine Pairing: Mouth-watering dishes you can savor and enjoy with our Argentine wines