The most emblematic Argentinean wine is made of this variety.
Born in Cahors, in the south of France, it was brought to Argentina in the mid XIX century and it adapted well to every wine region in the country.
It began to be massively cultivated, due to its sanity, vigor and its potential for top quality wines.
Up to these days, Malbec has been subject of many elaboration methods, which led to the most varied styles of wine, from young and simple wines to the most complex and aged ones, including roses, sparkling and fortified wines.
In every case, its primary aromas resemble ripe prunes and sometimes mint, while in the mouth it is softly meaty and rounded.
Malbec is "the red wine" to pair with roasted beef, stews, pasta with tomato sauce and cheese, game meats and hard cheeses.
| MALBEC |
Acres |
| Mendoza |
54.261 |
| San Juan |
4.902 |
| La Rioja |
1.287
|
| Neuquén |
1.191
|
| Salta |
1.047 |
| Río Negro |
832
|
| Catamarca |
343
|
| La Pampa |
123
|
| Tucumán |
24
|
| Córdoba |
24 |
| Buenos Aires |
19
|
| Entre Ríos |
2
|
| Jujuy |
2
|
This king of red wines displays subtle differences depending on its region of origin. It is a harsh wine, with marked acidity and strong presence of tannins, which proves to be tasty and full-bodied at the time of optimum maturation.
In the North-west of the country, Cabernet Sauvignon gets astonishing color intensity and aromas, which remind you of blackberries and green pepper. Within Cuyo this wine varietal gets fruitier, with ripe cherry hints; while in the south of the country aromas get more intense, developing mineral and earthy bouquets. Barrel and bottle ageing lend a particular elegance, with tobacco, leather and spices aromas.
| CABERNET |
Acres |
| Mendoza |
33.383
|
| San Juan |
5.431
|
| La Rioja |
2.579
|
| Salta |
1.069
|
| Catamarca |
701
|
| Neuquén |
657
|
| Río Negro |
264
|
| La Pampa |
93
|
| Tucumán |
32
|
| Córdoba |
29
|
| Buenos Aires |
17
|
Merlot is one of the red varieties that has recently been promoted in Argentina and has great potential. It is a fine grapevine that adapts best to the high and cool Argentine terroirs, especially the Uco Valley and Patagonia. With low production and good vineyard management, Merlot translates into a delicate wine, with intense albeit not overpowering palate. Its aromas recall sweet pepper, cedar, blackcurrant and spices.
| MERLOT |
Acres |
| Mendoza |
14.005
|
| San Juan |
1.544
|
| Río Negro |
879
|
| Neuquén |
689
|
| La Rioja |
415
|
| Catamarca |
143
|
| Salta |
130
|
| La Pampa |
118
|
| Córdoba |
42
|
| Chubut |
19
|
| Buenos Aires |
12
|
| Tucumán |
12
|
Historically, Syrah was used in blends, but it began to be grown extensively for vinification on its own during the last decade. It is a light and fresh wine that lingers in the mouth. It adapts very well to regions with intense insolation, such as the Tulum Valley in San Juan and Mendoza's eastern departments. The coldest regions of Mendoza, such as the Uco Valley, produce well-structured wines which are suitable for aging. In warmer regions, wines offer good color and strong fruit expression. This variety has intense colors, full texture and aromas that range from floral, when wine is young, to spicy and animal after oak and bottle maturation.
| SYRAH |
Acres |
| Mendoza |
20.452
|
| San Juan |
8.386
|
| La Rioja |
1.675
|
| Catamarca |
504
|
| Río Negro |
343
|
| Salta |
88
|
| Neuquén |
46
|
| La Pampa |
24
|
| San Luis |
14
|
| Córdoba |
2
|
This is an old and noble variety frequently used as base for the best sparkling wines. It is vinified as a white wine, though some top quality red varietals can also be obtained. As it requires cold weather, it has found in Mendoza and Neuquen the ideal spots for its growth. It is very soft, fresh and fruity, with good, albeit not aggressive, acidity that leads to a long-lasting finish on the palate. This variety mutates more easily than the others, and so there are many different Pinot grape clones. Its color ranges from ruby to intense red, and it maintains its characteristic raspberry, sugar beet and earthy aromas in every case.
| PINOT NOIR |
Acres |
| Mendoza |
2.458 |
| Neuquén |
427 |
| Córdoba |
284 |
| Río Negro |
244 |
| San Juan |
66 |
| La Pampa |
24 |
| Catamarca |
19 |
| Chubut |
17 |
| Salta |
4,9 |
After good vinification and Spanish-style aging in American oak, Tempranillo achieves exceptional qualities and excellent potential for bottle maturation. This wine has medium alcohol content, and is well-balanced, tasty and pleasant in the mouth, with chocolate and vanilla notes from oak storage. It has a deep ruby red color with violet hues. Its aromas evoke plums and blackcurrants, nuts, cherries and raspberries, freshly-mowed grass, complemented by notes of tobacco, coffee and cocoa.
| TEMPRANILLO |
Acres |
| Mendoza |
15.236
|
| San Juan |
481
|
| La Rioja |
148
|
| Río Negro |
123
|
| Salta |
14 |
| Catamarca |
12 |
| San Luis |
7
|
| Neuquén |
2
|
It is the second most cultivated red variety in Argentina and one of the most traditional ones. It is characterized by its depth of color. Due to its density, vigor and low cost, it has always been within the group of the most economical wines, though it is also vinified as a varietal.
Bonarda produces frank and honest wines, with good body and color, fruity raspberry aroma and subtle aniseed flavor. When it is used in blends, it adds chromatic intensity and fruit notes. Its sound structure provides good oak-aging potential.
| BONARDA |
Acres
|
| Mendoza |
38.518 |
| San Juan |
5.604
|
| La Rioja |
1.472
|
| Catamarca |
219
|
| Salta |
101
|
| Río Negro |
49
|
| San Luis |
7 |
| Neuquén |
2
|
| Córdoba |
2 |
| La Pampa |
0,7 |
In Argentina, Sangiovese has been cultivated for decades, but it is another example of wine varieties whose potential to elaborate top wines has only been discovered a few years ago. When young, it offers violets and raspberries aromas; but when it is barrel aged it gains in complex nuances such as raisins, which reminds of the peninsular Chianti.
| SANGIOVESE |
Acres |
| Mendoza |
5.596
|
| San Juan |
108
|
| La Rioja |
46
|
| Neuquén |
19
|
