Argentina is renowned for its exceptional wine, it's the fifth largest wine producer and ninth largest exporter in the world. The vineyards of Argentina cover more than 200 000 hectares in different regions.
The Mendoza wine region is the heart of Argentina’s viticulture, producing about 70% of the country’s annual wine production and the largest number of wineries in the country. Mendoza is a large province located in the central-western Argentina, on a high-altitude plateau at the edge of the Andes Mountains. Mendoza is an ideal location for red wine production with different subregions : Maipu, Luján de Cuyo, Uco Valley and San Rafael.
The Mendoza wine region has a rich history dating back to the 16th century when Spanish colonists introduced viticulture to Argentina. Jesuit missionaries were among the first to plant grapevines. The real expansion began in the mid-19th century with the arrival of European immigrants particularly Italians and Spanish who brought with them advanced winemaking techniques and a passion for the craft. Today, Mendoza has become one of the world’s wine capitals and contributes to South America’s wine-tourism industry.
Mendoza’s terroir is exceptionally diverse making it ideal for viticulture. Altitude is one of the most important characteristics of the Mendoza terroir with an average elevation of 800-1,200 meters (2,600- 4,000 feet) above the sea level. This altitude results in intense sunlight during the day and cold nights. The region is very flat, dry and sunny, and the environment is almost pest-free, giving the winemakers almost total control over grape ripening. The combination of a high-altitude, diverse soils and an arid desert climate create a very stable growing cycle and perfect conditions for grape development.
Mendoza’s signature grapes are Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon but sometimes Bonarda (also known as Carbono in Napa Valley), Syrah, Torrontés and Chardonnay are added. The mendoza wines are renowned for their darker fruit flavors and for their balance between acidity and smooth tannins.
Some of Argentina's best-known estates come from the Mendoza region including : Cheval des Andes, Lindaflor La Violeta and Catena Zapata.