Argentina - Viven Los Vinos!!
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When the conquistadores and Missionaries first brought wine grapes to Argentina in the late 16th century, who could have imagined what a vibrant wine industry would develop. Entering the 21st century, Argentina has become the worlds sleeping giant of wine. With the world’s fifth largest production and some of the highest per capita consumption, Argentinean wines are well on their way. The irrigation systems that produce consistenly quality grapes were begun by the Incas over a thousand years ago, but it is this rich tradition combined with modern winemaking techniques that make such incredible wines.
The focus in the last couple decades has been on the native Bordeaux varietal of Malbec. Malbec has a tendency to develop a condition called chlorose calcaire or iron deficiency when it is not planted on its own roots. Argentina, with it’s sandy soils and dry weather is very resistant to the disease phylloxera which in turn obviates the need for imported rootstocks. A distinct advantage when it comes to Malbec and one which has made Argentina to the worlds leading producer of this spicy, opulent, and rich grape varietal both in terms of production and quality.
On the white wine front, Argentineans tend to have an almost possessive pride in the white grape Torrontes which is rarely found anywhere else in the world. I like to call Torrontes “Sauvignon Blanc on Steroids” for it powerful herbaceous and flowery aromas; almost like a lighter bodied Gewürztraminer. In Argentina they are doing really cool things with Torrontes, especially in the North where high in the Andes there is an incredible purity of light and the grapes hang underneath the vines in high arbors.
From the Tropic of Capricorn in the North to within 600 miles of Antarctica, Argentina is a diverse and wonderful producers of wines from Pinot Noir in Patagonia, to Cabernet, Sangiovese and Bonarda in the North. Don’t limit yourself to Malbec and Torrontes or falling into the belief that is a country of just values. While the value is exceptional, the wines can rival some of the greatest in the world.
