Adventures in Wine > Argentina

Argentina

Argentina woke up to its export potential rather late in life and has only recently switched production from poor quality grapes to premium varietals. Similarly, it is now vinifying them in a modern, New World style to considerable international acclaim.

Meanwhile, Argentina remains one of the world’s largest wine producing countries. But now, it is also capable of coming up with top quality fruit grown from the ideally placed Mendoza region at the foot of the Andes mountains. The summers are hot and dry, but snow-melt from the mountains provides the necessary irrigation.

The country’s signature varieties include the white Torrontes and the widely planted red variety, Malbec. The latter originated from South-west France and makes easy drinking wines to more serious styles. In addition, Argentina is producing the likes of Chardonnay, Viognier and Semillon (whites) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah for the reds. (Financial Times)