ARGENTINA

The Argentinean vineyards are open to international investment and trade and rank 5th in the world for production. The foot of the Andes mountain ranges offer an appropriate environment. Wine growing dates back to the XVIth century with the planting of the “criolla” by the Spanish settlers. The dominating feature of Argentinean wine is intense fruit, a strong body, with an excellent price value and a well known red grape variety: the Malbec.

Surface : 221 000 Ha

Production : 15 Mhl

Consumption : 10 Mhl

Terroir :

soils: sandy and rocky alluvium, partly dry
climate: continental with ocean and mountain influences, dry with important sun exposure which makes irrigation necessary. A broad day-night temperature . High altitude vineyards up to 1800m. Aride doté d’un ensoleillement important qui rend l’irrigation obligatoire. Une amplitude thermique importante diurne-nocturne. Des vignobles d’altitude jusqu’à 1800m
main red grapes varieties: malbec, cabernet sauvignon, bonarda, syrah, merlot, tempranillo and main white grapes varieties: torontès, chardonnay, pedro-ximenez, chenin, criolla grande

Main regions

Mendoza, Salta, La Rioja, San Juan, Rio Negro, Catamarca et, more recently, Patagonia. The main denominations of the province of Mendoza (60% de la production), Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael, have gained international fame.

Legislation

It relates to the origin and comprises two (denominación de origen controlada) et over 180 IG (indicación geográfica)

Sites :

No Winebrotherhood identified as yet

ARGENTINA

Wine-discovery tour sponsored by F.I.C.B.in Italy (Piedmont)