Wines from Argentina

Winegrowing in Argentina began with the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Initially attempted with local grape varieties, the industry quickly turned to European varieties, which were imported on a massive scale. Vineyard acreage has grown almost continuously and now totals more than 200,000 hectares dedicated to wine production. It was in the late 1990s that Argentina became a major player in the global wine market: it is the leading producer in South America and the fifth largest worldwide.

Argentina offers geographical and climatic conditions particularly favorable to viticulture. Most Argentine vineyards are located at the foot of the Andes, at altitudes ranging from 800 to 1,700 meters, in areas with low humidity. As a result, pest infestations (insects, fungi, etc.) are very limited, which significantly reduces the use of pesticides and enhances the organic quality of the wines.

The most important wine-growing regions are located in the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan, as well as the province of La Rioja. Salta, Jujuy, Catamarca, Río Negro, and Neuquén are also renowned wine regions in Argentina.

Argentina produces white wines from the Chardonnay, Torrontés (a Spanish grape variety), Sauvignon, Chenin, Viognier, and Sémillon grape varieties. The reds (such as the Festivo Malbec 2017 or the Festivo Malbec 2018), on the other hand, are primarily made from Malbec, Bonarda, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Discover Argentina’s wineries: Bousquet, Yacochuya, Monteviejo, Atasmique.