Argentinian Wine

Mountains and high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina | Nick Photoworld / shutterstock.com

Indeed, the terroir here is well suited to Argentina's adopted grape variety, the ubiquitous Malbec which is now responsible for some of Argentina's most famous wines. Argentine Malbec is characteristically bright and intense, with floral notes and flavors of dark fruit.

Malbec: the principle grape variety of Argentina | ©Karol Kozlowski / www.shutterstock.com

Three-quarters of Argentinian wine production takes place in Mendoza. Furthermore, Mendoza Malbec accounts for 85 percent of the Malbec made in the country.

In addition to its flagship grape, Argentina boasts significant plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Bonarda. More recent additions can be found with wines including Cabernet Franc and the more Hispanic Tempranillo.

Regions and growing conditions

Covering just over one million square miles (2.8 million square kilometers), Argentina is the second-largest country in South America. It stretches from the southern border of Bolivia in the north to the southern tip of the continent.

It is home to a vast array of landscapes, from the rocky peaks of the Andes in the west to the fertile Pampas lowlands in the east. Most viticulture in Argentina takes place in the foothills of the Andes.

Of its wine regions, Mendoza is, without doubt, the largest and best-known in the country, often producing great wines to critical acclaim. Here, desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to make a terroir that gives rise to aromatic, intensely flavored reds.

Vineyards in the Mendoza region reach as high as 1,500m (5,000ft) above sea level. Here, increased levels of solar radiation and a high diurnal temperature variation make for a long, slow ripening period, leading to balanced sugars and acidity in the grapes.

The Andes Mountains range overlooks the vineyards of Mendoza | ©Pav-Pro Photography Ltd / www.shutterstock.com

Mendoza's position in the rain shadow of the Andes means that there is little rainfall, and irrigation is effectively supplied by Andean meltwater.

Further north, the regions of Salta and Catamarca are even higher. A world-topping vineyard owned by Bodega Colomé in Molinos sits at 3000m (9,900ft) – higher than the peak of Mount St. Helens in the Pacific Northwest of America.

Low latitudes in this corner of Argentina – which, at 22°N to 28°N, are considerably closer to the Equator than any European wine region – are tempered by the high altitude and cold mountain air. Here, Argentina's signature aromatic white grape, Torrontés, is grown, making a pungent, intensely floral, white wine.

Torrontes grapes on the vine is the Calchaqui Valley | ©Ebone / www.shutterstock.com

There are also some wine-producing regions in Argentina closer to the Atlantic coast than to the lofty peaks of the Andes. Patagonia, in the south of the country, is now home to two regions: Rio Negro and Neuquen, the cooler conditions of which are suited to creating wines made from Pinot Noir.

History of Argentine winemaking

Argentina has a long viticultural tradition, and wines have been made here since the 1500s – initially by Spanish missionaries, and later by Italian settlers. Until very recently, Argentinian wines were exclusively domestic, based mostly on the high-yielding Criolla Grande and Cereza grape varieties.

However, over the past 20 years, the country's wine producers have raised quality levels and successfully consolidated an international export market. Argentina ranked at number seven country in the provisional 2021 and predicted 2022 global wine output figures published by OIV (International Organization for Vine and Wine).

Frequently Asked Questions

Red wines similar in quality to Mendoza Malbec would include French Malbec which has slightly darker, earthier tones and greener notes. Another red grape variety commonly grown in Argentina is Bonarda which produces bright, fruit-forward wines with a focus on dark fruit like black cherry and plum along with nuanced spice notes not dissimilar to Malbec.

Dolcetto can also exude similar qualities to Malbec, as can cool-climate Syrah which has similar dark fruit as well as a similar medium-bodied, moderately tannic nature. Like Dolcetto, Nero d'Avola can also be a good alternative.

Although both important varieties of the ubiquitous Bordeaux-blend, Malbec and Merlot are two distinct grape varieties. Generally speaking Malbec tends to be more meaty and textually tannic whilst Merlot is often added to blends to soften the wine thanks to its high ratio of pulp to skin and seeds. As varietal wines, both share organoleptic properties of plum-like characteristics. 

Genetically speaking, Merlot and Malbec share a parent variety in Magdeleine Noire Des Charentes. 

Mendoza Malbec is by far the most popular regional style of wine produced in Argentina in terms of both notoriety and volume. The high altitude in combination with the dry climate of Mendoza creates ideal terroir for Malbec to develop cherry, casis and plum-like properties with silky integrated tannins

Popular producers of Mendoza Malbec include Catena Zapata, Casa Montes Ampakama and Luca. 

Fernet-Branca and coca-cola is a widely popular cocktail in Argentina that has been described as "the country's unofficial national drink". Argentina is the largest consumer of Fernet worldwide despite the herbal liquer originating in Milan, Italy. Often known as a Fernando or Fernandito the long-drink is a combination of sweet, minty, hebaceous and slighty bitter.
Based on search frequency, updated monthly
Product
 
Grape
Popularity
Critics' Score
Avg. Price / 750ml
Wine Label of Bodega Aleanna 'Gran Enemigo' Gualtallary Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Tupungato, Argentina
208th in popularity
$ 115
/ 750ml
94 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino, Mendoza, Argentina
292nd in popularity
$ 112
/ 750ml
93 / 100
Wine Label of Cheval des Andes, Mendoza, Argentina
376th in popularity
$ 95
/ 750ml
94 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata 'Nicolas Catena Zapata', Mendoza, Argentina
497th in popularity
$ 105
/ 750ml
94 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata 'Angelica Zapata Malbec Alta', Mendoza, Argentina
1,039th in popularity
$ 49
/ 750ml
91 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 'River Stones' Malbec, Gualtallary, Argentina
1,049th in popularity
$ 189
/ 750ml
95 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata 'Catena' Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
1,243rd in popularity
$ 21
/ 750ml
89 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 'White Bones' Chardonnay, Gualtallary, Argentina
1,246th in popularity
$ 124
/ 750ml
94 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata Estiba Reservada, Agrelo, Argentina
1,278th in popularity
$ 730
/ 750ml
93 / 100
Wine Label of Clos de los Siete by Michel Rolland, Vista Flores, Argentina
1,451st in popularity
$ 19
/ 750ml
90 / 100
Wine Label of Bodega Chacra 'Cincuenta y Cinco 55' Pinot Noir, Rio Negro, Argentina
1,480th in popularity
$ 62
/ 750ml
93 / 100
Wine Label of Bodega Chacra 'Treinta y Dos 32' Pinot Noir, Rio Negro, Argentina
1,588th in popularity
$ 125
/ 750ml
93 / 100
Wine Label of Bodega Aleanna 'El Enemigo' Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina
1,591st in popularity
$ 25
/ 750ml
91 / 100
Wine Label of Bodega Aleanna 'El Enemigo' Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
1,727th in popularity
$ 25
/ 750ml
91 / 100
Wine Label of Bodegas Caro 'Caro', Mendoza, Argentina
1,737th in popularity
$ 64
/ 750ml
92 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata 'Catena Alta' Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
1,758th in popularity
$ 52
/ 750ml
92 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata 'Angelica Zapata Alta' Cabernet Franc, Mendoza, Argentina
1,856th in popularity
$ 29
/ 750ml
91 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 'White Stones' Chardonnay, Gualtallary, Argentina
1,898th in popularity
$ 117
/ 750ml
94 / 100
Wine Label of Cobos Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
1,983rd in popularity
$ 250
/ 750ml
94 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec, Altamira, Argentina
2,032nd in popularity
$ 90
/ 750ml
93 / 100
Wine Label of Domaine Nico Soeur et Freres Grand Pere Pinot Noir, Mendoza, Argentina
2,175th in popularity
$ 30
/ 750ml
92 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 'Mundus Bacillus Terrae' Malbec, Gualtallary, Argentina
2,274th in popularity
$ 260
/ 750ml
96 / 100
Wine Label of San Pedro de Yacochuya 'Yacochuya', Cafayate, Argentina
2,274th in popularity
$ 45
/ 750ml
91 / 100
Wine Label of La Mascota Vineyards 'Unanime' Gran Tinto, Maipu, Argentina
2,308th in popularity
$ 25
/ 750ml
90 / 100
Wine Label of Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 'Fortuna Terrae' Malbec, Gualtallary, Argentina
2,316th in popularity
$ 126
/ 750ml
94 / 100
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