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Wine in Argentina

Wine has been produced in Argentina for over 400 years.

Spanish missionaries planted the first vines in the country in the 16th century, and by the late 19th century, Argentina had become one of the top wine-producing countries in the world. In the 1880s, two-thirds of the wine drunk in Argentina came from Spain, Italy, or France. By 1915, less than 2% was imported.

The first major boom the Argentine wine industry experienced in the early 20th century had come from the introduction of new grape varieties and modern winemaking techniques (the first few hundred years of Argentine wine production were dominated by a grape called Criolla Grande, brought over from Spain, that produced what one might describe, generously, as “communion wine”).

By the 1960s and 1970s, Argentina had become known for mass-produced, low-quality wines, which were consumed almost exclusively domestically.

However, in the 1980s and 1990s, the industry underwent a major transformation, driven in large part by Nicolás Catena, of world-famous Bodega Catena — at that time known only for bulk table wines — refocusing on producing high-quality wines made using traditional methods.

Today, Argentina is home to a thriving wine industry, with numerous vineyards in the country's mountainous regions, particularly the Andes.

Argentine wines are known for their bright and fruity flavors and are made using popular grape varieties such as malbec, cabernet sauvignon, and chardonnay.

The Argentine wine industry is an important contributor to the country's economy and is highly regarded in the global wine industry.

 

What Are the Different Wine Regions of Argentina?

Many regions in Argentina produce high-quality wines. Each of these regions has its unique terroir, with different climates, soils, and grape varieties that contribute to the character and flavor of the wines produced there.

Here is a comparison of some of the major wine regions of Argentina, moving from south to north:

Patagonia: Located in the southern part of Argentina, Patagonia is known for producing a wide range of red and white wines, including chardonnay, pinot noir, and merlot.

Mendoza: Located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, Mendoza is the largest and economically most important wine region in Argentina. It is known for producing a wide range of red wines, particularly malbec, as well as white wines made from chardonnay and sauvignon blanc.

The soil is rich in minerals, and the region is known for its high-altitude vineyards, which offer a unique set of challenges and benefits for winemakers. Mendoza is home to a few important subregions:

  • Uco Valley: Located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, the Uco Valley is a relatively new wine region in Argentina known for producing high-quality malbec and cabernet sauvignon wines.

San Juan: Located north of Mendoza, San Juan is another important wine region in Argentina. It is known for producing full-bodied red wines, as well as white wines made from Chardonnay and Torrontés.

La Rioja: Located in the northwest of Argentina, La Rioja is known for producing red wines made from malbec, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot.

Salta: Located in the northwest of Argentina & including the Calchaquí Valley region, Salta is known for producing high-quality malbec and Torrontés wines. The climate in Salta is dry and sunny, with hot days and cool nights that help the grapes to ripen evenly.

 

Environmental and Sustainable Practices Used by Argentine Winemakers

While Argentine winemakers are increasingly focusing on environmental and sustainable practices, in many places such as the Calchaquí farmers grow their grapes organically, or nearly so, simply as a matter of course. Many of them have never bothered to go through the complex and expensive process of becoming certified. 

Because of the intense sunlight, desert conditions, remoteness, and sandy soils, it’s very difficult for pests to get a foothold in these vineyards in the first place. It’s one of just a few places on Earth where phylloxera, the pest that wiped out nearly all European vineyards in the late 1800s, was unable to take hold. 

One of the main sustainable practices used by Argentine winemakers is the use of natural fertilizers. Many wineries in Argentina use compost and other organic materials to nourish the soil and promote the growth of healthy vines. 

In these remote regions, it makes more financial & practical sense to make use of material available locally than trucking in expensive pesticides, fungicides, and commercial fertilizers.

This not only helps to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, but also helps to improve the overall health of the soil and the quality of the grapes.

Another sustainable practice used by Argentine winemakers is the use of water-saving irrigation techniques. In many parts of Argentina, water is a scarce resource, and winemakers must be careful to use it wisely. Some wineries use drip irrigation systems or other techniques that allow them to use water more efficiently, helping to conserve this valuable resource. 

Drip irrigation is sometimes frowned upon in the industry, as the systems can be used to flood vineyards with water, driving up grape production but diluting the final wines. However, in desert environments like many of Argentina’s wine regions, drip irrigation systems can make grape growing possible in places where vineyards would otherwise dry up entirely, as well as allow growers to manage water with previously unheard-of precision.

In addition to these practices, there is a growing movement among Argentine winemakers to reduce their carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources and adopting eco-friendly production methods. Wineries have installed solar panels or other renewable energy systems, recycling and waste reduction programs, and biodynamic farming practices to reduce their environmental impact.

 

The Top 10 Facts, Statistics, and Trends Related to Argentine Wine

  • Argentina is the fifth largest wine producer in the world, with an annual production of approximately 15 million hectoliters (source: International Organization of Vine and Wine).
  • malbec is Argentina's most widely planted grape variety, accounting for approximately 30% of total plantings (source: International Organization of Vine and Wine).
  • Argentina is the world's largest producer of malbec wine, accounting for approximately two-thirds of global production (source: Wines of Argentina).
  • The Uco Valley is a relatively new wine region in Argentina that has gained recognition for producing high-quality malbec and cabernet sauvignon wines (source: Wines of Argentina).
  • Argentina is the leading exporter of wine to China, accounting for approximately 25% of total imports (source: Wines of Argentina).
  • Argentine wine exports to the United States have increased by over 200% in the past decade (source: Wines of Argentina).
  • Argentina is home to over 1,200 wineries, with many of them located in the Mendoza region (source: Wines of Argentina).
  • The Argentine wine industry is focused on sustainability, with many winemakers using natural fertilizers, water-saving irrigation techniques, and renewable energy sources (source: Wines of Argentina).
  • The wine industry in Argentina employs over 600,000 people, making it an important contributor to the country's economy (source: Wines of Argentina).
  • Argentine wine is increasingly popular among younger consumers, with sales to millennials increasing by over 50% in the past decade (source: Wines of Argentina).

 

Why Is So Much Malbec Wine Produced in Argentina?

Malbec is a red grape variety with a long history in Argentina. It is thought to have originated in the Bordeaux region of France, where it was used as a blending grape in the production of red wines.

They say malbec grapes once grew in Cahors, in southwestern France, just north of Toulouse. Malbec grown there is called simply “Vin de Cahors”.

The French also called the grape côt, sometimes côt noir for the wine’s dark color. During the Middle Ages, wine from Cahors had a strong brand in the name “black wine.” It was enjoyed by kings, popes, and tsars.

Although the Argentine wine industry goes back 500 years, the malbec era only began around 1845, right in time for the arrival of French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget, who was the man charged by Argentine president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento with modernizing the country’s wine production.

Longtime readers will know the story by now. A decade or so later, the phylloxera blight killed off almost every malbec vine in Europe. A frost annihilated the few survivors several decades later.

Malbec vines found in Argentina today are often far older than any found in France. The Argentine vines are also the “un-grafted” variety – that is, they are the original European plants. After phylloxera, the Europeans replanted their vineyards by grafting their vines onto American rootstocks immune to the bug.

In the end, phylloxera worked out rather well for malbec. Winemakers quickly realized that the grape had great potential in the country; at elevations up to 10,000 feet higher than Bordeaux, with 80% more UV exposure and 79% less rainfall, the vine thrived along Argentina’s western frontier. The dry and sunny climate and mineral-rich soils in these regions allow the grapes to ripen evenly and develop the complex flavors and aromas characteristic of modern Argentine malbec wine. 

Today, malbec vineyards follow the Andean foothills from Patagonia in the south to Salta and Jujuy in the north. Along the way, the wine shape shifts from a limber mineral wine in Patagonia, to a big, spicy red at the midway point around Uco Valley (southwest Mendoza), to the hard-edged black pepper and fruit malbecs of the extreme-altitude Calchaquí Valley.

Malbec has become a symbol for Argentina. As a grape variety specifically identified with the country, its reputation has grown along with Argentina's reputation for producing high-quality wines. 

Argentina’s malbec renaissance has led to an increased demand for the wines both domestically and internationally, and contributes to the continued success of malbec production in Argentina: the country has become the largest producer of malbec in the world.

 

The History of malbec in the Calchaquí Valley

Malbec's story in the Calchaquí Valley region of Argentina began when French immigrants introduced it in the mid-19th century, though local legend holds that it was the Dávalos family of Tacuil whose ancestor Ascensión Isasmendi de Dávalos brought malbec vines to the Calchaquí for the first time, in the mid-1800s. But instead of bringing the vines to port in Buenos Aires, then shipping them over land to Salta, Ascensión brought them around the tip of Patagonia, up the Pacific Ocean, and over land across the impenetrable Andes.

The grape quickly adapted to the unique climate and terroir of the region, becoming one of its most widely grown varieties.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s the Calchaquí Valley region experienced a boom in its wine industry, and many winemakers focused on producing high-quality malbec wines.

The region's harsh climate and high altitudes were found to be well-suited for growing malbec grapes, and the wines produced from these grapes were known for their depth and complexity, with powerful fruit flavors balanced by herbs, spice, and a note of violet particular to this region. Though powerful, the fruit flavors remain fresh, with balanced acidity and robust tannins.

In the past couple of decades, the popularity of malbec wines from the Calchaquí Valley has continued to grow, and the grape has become one of the most well-known and widely recognized varieties in Argentina.

Today, the Calchaquí Valley is home to many successful winemakers known for producing high-quality malbec wines highly sought after by wine enthusiasts worldwide.

Successful malbec Winemakers from the Calchaquí Valley

Many successful winemakers in the Calchaquí Valley region of Argentina produce high-quality malbec wines that are highly sought after by wine enthusiasts around the world. Some of the most well-known winemakers from this region include:

  • Bodega Colomé: Bodega Colomé is a leading winery in the Calchaquí Valley that is known for producing high-quality malbec wines. The winery was founded in 1831 by James Busby, a pioneer of the Argentine wine industry.Today, Bodega Colomé is known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation and produces a range of wines that wine critics and enthusiasts highly regard.
  • Bodega El Esteco: Bodega El Esteco is another leading winery in the Calchaquí Valley that is known for producing high-quality malbec wines. The winery was founded in 1892 and has a long history of producing award-winning wines.Today, Bodega El Esteco is known for its commitment to traditional winemaking techniques and its focus on producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique character of the Calchaquí Valley.
  • Bodega Catena Zapata: Bodega Catena Zapata is a renowned winery in the Calchaquí Valley that is known for producing high-quality malbec wines. The winery was founded in 1902 and has a long history of producing wines that wine critics and enthusiasts highly regard.Today, Bodega Catena Zapata is known for its innovative winemaking techniques and its focus on producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Calchaquí Valley.
  • Bodega Tacuil: The Dávalos family has been making wine in Argentina’s Calchaquí Valley for over 200 years. At 8,000-9,000 feet above sea level, Tacuil vineyards are subject to intense light, hot days with freezing nights, and very little rain. Farming here has always been organic, less by modern philosophy than by the fact that the area is too remote and the environment too harsh for typical vineyard pests to be a serious problem.
  • Bodega Sunal: Argentine Agustín Lanús studied winemaking all over the world before returning to his native land to conquer the vast desert valley of the Calchaquí. Agustín works with grape growers in the remotest corners of the Calchaquí, searching for the best, purest representations of the extreme altitude terroirs.

The Top 10 Facts, Statistics, and Trends Related to Malbec Wine

  • Malbec is a red wine grape variety widely grown in Argentina, where it is the most widely planted variety (source: International Organization of Vine and Wine).
  • Argentina is the world's largest producer of malbec wine, accounting for approximately two-thirds of global production (source: Wines of Argentina).
  • Malbec wines are known for their deep color, full body, and bold flavors, which often include notes of blackberry, plum, and spice (source: Wine Folly).
  • Malbec wine pairs well with various foods, including red meats, grilled vegetables, and chocolate desserts (source: Wine Folly).
  • The Uco Valley in Argentina is a region that is particularly renowned for producing high-quality malbec wines (source: Wines of Argentina).
  • Malbec wine has a long history, with roots dating back to the early 19th century in France (source: Wine Folly).
  • The popularity of malbec wine has increased significantly in recent years, with global sales increasing by over 20% in the past decade (source: Wine Folly).
  • Malbec wine can be aged for a number of years, and some of the best examples are aged for at least 5-10 years (source: Wine Folly).
  • Malbec wine is often blended with other grape varieties, such as cabernet sauvignon and Merlot, to create more complex and balanced wines (source: Wine Folly).
  • Malbec wine is produced in other countries besides Argentina, including France, Chile, and the United States (source: Wine Folly).

A Brief History of Cabernet Sauvignon Production in Argentina

The history of cabernet sauvignon in Argentina dates back to the late 19th century when the grape was first introduced to the country. Winemakers in Argentina quickly realized that the grape had great potential and began experimenting with planting it in different regions of the country.

In the mid-20th century, the Argentine wine industry faced a number of challenges, including economic downturns and political instability, which hindered the development of the entire wine industry.

However, in the 1980s and 1990s, the industry began to recover, with wine producers looking to France and Napa Valley for guidance, flying in experts to survey their winemaking practices; the quality of Argentine wines started to improve.

During this time, Argentine winemakers began to focus on producing high-quality cabernet sauvignon wines, particularly in Mendoza and the Uco Valley regions.

These regions have unique combinations of altitude, soil, and climate that are well suited to growing the grape.

Mendoza, home to 77% of the cab sauv grown in the country, has vineyards ranging from 2,200 to 3,000 feet above sea level, with a warm, dry climate that creates big, voluptuous wines with black fruit & sometimes jammy flavors.

The Uco Valley is higher, with vineyards from 3,200 to almost 5,000 feet, creating a cooler climate which slows the ripening of the cabernet sauvignon grapes. This retains more acidity and fresher flavors. The soils here are also much stonier, making vines dig deeper for nutrients and creating more complex flavor profiles in the process.

Cafayate, in the north, has vineyards at 5,700 feet above sea level, with wide temperature swings between day and night, intense UV exposure, and a desert environment, with water coming solely through careful irrigation of Andean snowmelt. In this extreme environment, the cab sauv expresses spicy notes with wild herbs and hints of mint. Thick skins built up on the grapes lend the signature deep red color of the extreme altitudes to this wine.

Argentine winemakers are also experimenting with different winemaking techniques to create more complex and expressive cabernet sauvignon wines, such as aging the wine in oak barrels. Some blend the wine with other grape varieties like malbec to improve balance and complexity.

Today, Argentina produces high-quality cabernet sauvignon wines which regularly win awards and accolades in international competitions. Some of the best examples can be found in regions like the Uco Valley, Luján de Cuyo, and the foothills of the Andes mountain range.

This grape variety is increasingly becoming a key feature of Argentine wines, and winemakers are still experimenting with different production techniques to continue improving and enhancing cabernet sauvignon wines' quality.

Argentine cabernet sauvignon is known for its rich and complex flavors, which often include notes of black currant, black cherry, and cedar. The wines are known for their strong tannins and well-structured acidity.

This intense and complex wine style can be due to the combination of high-altitude vineyards, dry and sunny climate, and the winemaker's expertise which allows the grapes to develop more complex flavors—many wine enthusiasts seeking out Argentine cabernet sauvignon for its rich flavor and well-structured acidity.

The Top 10 Facts, Statistics, and Trends Related to Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Cabernet sauvignon is one of the most widely grown grape varieties in Argentina, with over 50,000 hectares planted (source: International Organization of Vine and Wine)
  • Argentine cabernet sauvignon wines are known for their rich, complex flavors and well-structured acidity. These wines have a strong tannins profile and are known to pair well with red meat dishes (source: Wines of Argentina)
  • The Uco Valley and the foothills of the Andes mountain range are some of the most renowned regions for producing high-quality Argentine cabernet sauvignon (source: Wines of Argentina)
  • The vineyards of the Uco Valley are located at high altitudes, which provide optimal conditions for grape growing. They are a key factor in the unique flavor profile of the wines (source: Wines of Argentina)
  • Cabernet sauvignon grapes are often blended with other grape varieties in Argentina, such as malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, to make more complex and balanced wines (source: Wines of Argentina)
  • Argentine cabernet sauvignon has gained recognition in international competitions and awards, including medals at prestigious wine competitions such as Decanter World Wine Awards and Mundus Vini.
  • Argentine cabernet sauvignon is increasingly becoming a key export for the country. Exports to the United States and Europe, particularly, have been growing in recent years (source: Wines of Argentina)
  • Argentine winemakers have been experimenting with different winemaking techniques, such as aging in oak barrels and using different blends to enhance the complexity and quality of their cabernet sauvignon wines (source: Wines of Argentina)
  • The grape variety is known to require a warm and sunny climate, which is found in the regions of Argentina where it is grown, such as Mendoza and the Uco Valley (source: Wines of Argentina)
  • Some of the best Argentine cabernet sauvignon wines are made from old vineyards, which are known to produce grapes of exceptional quality and character, adding more complexity to the wine (source: Wines of Argentina).
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