Although Argentina is considered the "new world," its wine tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the Spanish colonization in the 16th century, followed by Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been part of the country's culture.
No other wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the late 20th century (in terms of viticulture, oenology, and necessarily financially), which allowed the country's wine producers to increase quality levels and successfully consolidate an international export market. Argentina has now become the fifth-largest wine-producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States.
Viticulture is mainly practiced in the foothills of the Andes, particularly in Mendoza, where desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to produce aromatic and intensely flavored wines. Some vineyards can even be planted up to 3000 meters in altitude!
The terroir here is well suited to the grape variety adopted by Argentina: the omnipresent Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now responsible for some of the most famous Argentine wines, characterized by their brilliance and intensity, with floral notes and black fruit flavors. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir. Among white wines, the emblematic grape variety of the Argentine wine region is Torrontés, which produces a wine with a floral and tropical taste. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Nowadays, Argentine wines are recognized worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as high-quality wines.
