With 1,300 miles of growing potential, there is no doubt as to why Argentina has begun to take the forefront in the international wine industry; now ranking fifth after France, Italy, Spain, and the USA. The high desert of Salta, year round sunshine in Mendoza and the brilliant blue lakes of Patagonia, not only create striking landscapes to explore, but have also transformed the grapes of France and Spain into aromatic, internationally competitive wines. Let us introduce you to Argentina’s most important wine regions in this Argentina wine guide. Chile used to be Argentina’s South American competitor (and Chileans would still claim this), but over the last ten years Argentine bodegas have begun making the transition from quantity to quality, and thus now export more high demand wines than Chile. The protected eastern side of the Andes, shading the Argentine vineyards from the coastal rains, produce a more concentrated grape. This is prime grape-growing land and Chilean vineyards have actually begun buying up Argentine vineyard property in order to stay competitive. Chile does have splendid wines, but as far as internationally renowned, Argentina takes the crown. In this blog series on wines in Argentina we will work through the three main wine growing regions of Argentina; Mendoza, Salta, and Patagonia, to paint you a picture of the unique qualities of each. As you taste your way down the eastern side of the Andes, you will see why a trip to Argentina to eat steak, try the sultry steps of tango and explore incredible landscapes, is only complete when accompanied by a full-bodied glass of Argentine red wine.
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- Dining with a sunset vista of Monteverde
