| The wines of Argentina, like its people, run
the full spectrum of taste, style and origin. Mendoza alone cultivates a
bewildering choice of wine varietals as well as table grapes and raisins,
but the huge international companies that have begun to invest in
Argentina in the 1990's are more likely to concentrate on varietals
esteemed by international consumers. Historically, Argentina's claim to
fame appears to be the red varietals
In Mendoza 39% of vineyards are implanted with red grapes, 21% with
white grapes and 40% with rosé.
Talking about the red grape varieties, the Malbec turned into the most
popular and recognized varieties not only for domestic market, but also
for international markets.
Malbec, imported from France a century ago developed its best
characteristics in Mendoza, turn into Argentinean Malbec wine, the best
Malbec of the world.
With typical black cherry, blackberry and spice aromas, this dark red
wine is usually produced in a Bordeaux style, often aged in oak, for a
result that is soft, deep, and velvety. Other French varietals such as
Cabernet Sauvignon (13%), Merlot (10%), and Syrah (10%) are also used in
fine wines, and tend to share the same full fruit aromas, relatively soft
tannins and oak aging. Other reds including Tempranillo (10%), Bonarda
(29%), Sangiovese (4%), Barbera, Pinot noir, Aspirant Bouchet, Bequignol
and Cabernet franc can also be found. A number of winemakers are
experimenting with blends such as Syrah-Cabernet, Cabernet-Malbec-Merlot,
Malbec-Petit Verdot, and Malbec-Syrah.
Argentine white wines have traditionally been lower in acidity for
international tastes. The latest export offerings indicate that Mendoza is
producing interesting Chardonnay (11% white grapes production), and may
have similar potential for Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc (10,5%), Ugni
Blanc (9%), Torrontés Riojano (12%), Semillon, Viognier, Pedro Ximénez
and Tocai Friulano. International sparkling wine companies have invested
in Mendoza with an eye to the future.
Mendoza’s Wine Growing Regions
The assertion that Mendoza is the most important wine-producing
province in Argentina is almost a cliché. But it is almost impossible not
to make such statements, as this province produces more than 80% of
Argentina’s wine from its 150,000 vine-planted hectares. Mendoza’s
wine industry increasingly focuses on quality, and on finding the optimum
relations between different varieties and terroirs. Mendoza´s diversity
is doubtlessly enviable in this respect.
Mendoza’s wine geography can be divided into three major oases. One of
these oases is in the North of the province, on the basin of the Mendoza
and Tunuyán rivers; the other oasis is in the Center of the province, and
the third oasis in the South, irrigated by the Diamante and Atuel Rivers.
However, by carefully studying the territory, one can discover multiple
peculiarities within terroirs that are highly different from one another.
Each terroir has its own particular location, altitude and soil
composition.
The assertion that Mendoza is the most important wine-producing
province in Argentina is almost a cliché. But it is almost impossible not
to make such statements, as this province produces more than 80% of
Argentina’s wine from its 150,000 vine-planted hectares. Mendoza’s
wine industry increasingly focuses on quality, and on finding the optimum
relations between different varieties and terroirs. Mendozan diversity is
doubtlessly enviable in this respect.
Mendoza’s wine geography can be divided into three major oases. One
of these oases is in the North of the province, on the basin of the
Mendoza and Tunuyán rivers; the other oasis is in the Center of the
province, and the third oasis in the South, irrigated by the Diamante and
Atuel Rivers. However, by carefully studying the territory, one can
discover multiple peculiarities within terroirs that are highly different
from one another. Each terroir has its own particular location, altitude
and soil composition.
Therefore, we can identify the three following regions:
Northern Region
Includes the Deparments of Las Heras, Lavalle, Guaymallén, San Martín,
Rivadavia, Santa Rosa, La Paz, Luján de Cuyo and Maipú.
Central Region
Includes the Departments of Tupungato, Tunuyán and San Carlos.
Southern Region
Includes the Departments of San Rafael and General Alvear.
Eastern Region
Includes the Departments of San Martín, Junín, Santa Rosa, La Paz y
Rivadavia.
|
