Argentina Wine Guide

Argentina is known for its rich culture, excellent food, and it’s wine! Recently, Argentina has taken its place as one of the fastest-growing exporters of wine. If you are a lover of Malbec, you should know about the history of Argentinian Wine.

We put together a guide that includes everything you need to know about Argentinian Wine. That way, you can cherish the culture, history, and practices of Argentinian wine with each sip!

The History of Argentinian Wine

Argentina is currently the world’s 5th largest producer of wine! Let’s take a look at how it all started.

The root of Argentinian wine stems back 500 years! The Spanish brought wine to Argentina in 1556 throughout the Mendoza and San Juan regions. The first grape grown in Argentina, known as Pais in Chile, is the ancestor of the California Mission grape and has been used in most Argentinian wine for hundreds of years.

1900s Argentina Wine Industry

In the 1900s, Argentina’s wine industry exploded. Argentina rose to the 8th most prosperous country globally - and a large part of this wealth can be attributed to its wine industry!

Rebirth of Argentine Wine

Despite a fall in exports during the mid-1900s, an increase in exporting in the 1990s revived the industry. Argentina mainly exported to the US and UK, putting Argentinian wine back on the map.

Now the international wine market recognizes Argentina as a force to be reckoned with. Known as the “Malbec boom,” Argentinian Malbec started to be loved and appreciated by the international market, increasing demand exponentially!

Wineries in Argentina saw a massive opportunity for growth in wine tourism. Today, Mendoza is one of the most popular wine capitals in the world! Argentina was able to create a place for itself due to the popularity of its Malbec wine.

Argentina Wine Regions

Specific areas in Argentina have ideal wine-making conditions, from the geography to the climate. Here is a list of the most popular regions in Argentina!

Mendoza Wine & Region

The largest and most important wine-producing area is Mendoza, with over 395,000 acres of grapes! Mendoza wineries are responsible for about 80% of all Argentina wine production! This success comes from its arid and sunny climate plus its high altitude, which leads to cold nights. There are four distinct wine production regions within Mendoza: Eastern Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, the Uco Valley, and Maipu.

Mendoza Winery to Visit

Mendoza is one of the most significant wine capitals globally, making it meaningful for Argentina’s wine tourism. Mendoza’s wineries received over 1.1 million visitors in 2018! With the expansion of Mendoza wineries also came the development of hotels and restaurants!

If you take a visit to the Mendoza region, we suggest visiting Carmelo Patti. It is one of the best wineries to visit in Mendoza as it provides a more traditional experience with a personal and intimate view of the winery.

San Juan Wine & Region

The San Juan province is the next most popular wine region, sharing a border with the Mendoza region. This region is even hotter and drier, making it ideal for Syrah grapes. The “grape” of the San Juan Province is Syrah, but they also produce different varieties, including Malbec.

San Juan Winery to Visit

Casa Monte sits in the Tulum Valley of the San Juan Province. The winery is owned by the Montes family, a well-respected family within the San Juan area. Casa Montes is a must-visit to experience, offering high-quality grapes that express the San Juan region’s personality.

Salta Wine & Region

The Salta region is the nation’s up-and-coming wine region. Its location at a high-altitude makes it a recipient of the nation’s most extreme weather. Think freezing nights, sunny days, and mountain heights.

This region contains some of the highest vineyards in the world, leading to a more acidic wine. The main wine-producing area is Cafayate, but this is not the only place you will see vineyards in Salta.

Salta Winery to Visit

If you want a remote experience, visit one of the world’s highest wineries: Bodega Tacuil. This incredible winery is nestled in the Calchaquí Valley, specifically Molinos, Salta. The Dávalos family discovered this area and still find it suitable for high altitude wine production.

Argentina Wines

Argentina is known for grapes that aren’t grown frequently in other countries, like the Malbec or Torrontes. Although Argentina still produces popular varieties too!

Argentina Malbec

Malbec is the star grape of Argentina! Malbec was brought to Argentina by the French, but the Argentine Malbec is the most sought after. Argentine Malbecs are intense and full-bodied red wines. They contain flavors of cherry and blueberry and a smooth texture. This is a brilliant take on an Argentinian specialty and hails from Argentina’s Mendoza region.

Argentina Torrontés

Torreontés is right beside Malbec when it comes to the most well-known wines unique to Argentina. In fact, Argentina is the only country that currently produces Torrontés. This white is dry and aromatic, filled with a fruity and floral flavor.

Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is a rising grape in Argentina, although it is not new to the rest of the wine world. Cabernet Sauvignon is known to be a bold red with high tannin levels.

Argentina Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the third most widely planted grape in the entire world, making it a staple in any growing wine region! Argentina is perfect for Chardonnay as it’s adapted to the climate, giving it a slightly different taste and feel. It has benefited from the solids nourished by the irrigation of the Andes!

A Taste of Argentina

Choosing wine can be overwhelming with so many options. We sift through all the top quality wines and hand-select the finest. Browse all our curated selection of wines by region, including those from Argentina here.