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Argentina has 6 main wine
producing regions – Mendoza, Salta, Rio
Negro, San Juan, La Rioja, and San Rafael. Mendoza
is by far the largest production of the regions
with 70% of all plantings here. San Juan would
come in a distant second with approx 22% of plantings.
Geographically Argentina is perfectly
positioned with Andes running down the left hand
side of the country to help provide both irrigating
water and altitude to winemakers. The high altitude
vineyards, some as high as 5000 feet up, have
a cooler climate that gives Argentinean wines
their unique personality.
Argentina, like most South American
Countries, would have the reputation as having
a particularly warm climate. Such climates can
result in big, beefy wines that are more Port
like in style – the acidity and balance
of the wine could be lost due to heat. Alcohol
levels would also be a concern to winemakers that
with increased sunshine comes higher sugar levels
in the grapes – wines with 16% to 20% alcohol
levels could become the norm. |
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However, high altitude
and the resulting cooler climates help negate all of
these issues. The high Altitude results loads of sunshine
for the fruit, it is believed that this can result in
higher levels of healthy polyphenols in red wine. Furthermore,
at higher levels of altitude it is believed that the
grapes can develop a thicker skin resulting increased
flavour and tannin levels in the wine. But crucially
at night the temperature drops helping to cool the fruit
down – thus maintaining the acidity and balance
of the fruit. In lower sections of Argentina, the lack
of altitude can result in fat, flabby unfocused wines.
Argentina has many different planted
varietals – Malbec, Torrontes, Bonarda, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Of these
Malbec is the undisputed King with planting of over
22,000 Hectares. It is on the back of it Malbec that
Argentina has really come to the attention to the Wine
World. When talking about Argentinean Malbec, it is
Mendozan Malbec that is stealing the show – Textbook
Mendoza Malbec has tastes of blackfruits, loganberries,
cherries, and spice. The fruits are big, bold, and have
excellent concentration levels. The mid palate on the
wines would tend to be very well balanced and have good
acidity levels to prevent the wines from becoming to
flabby and loose. Finishes on Mendoza Malbecs are normally
long, gripping, and balanced.
Torrontes is a varietal that is really
only grown in Argentina. It is has similarities to Gewurtztraminer
– lightly spiced, quite floral, perhaps some tropical
fruits flavours, mostly of the dry white wine style
and have decent length on the finish.
Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and
Tempranillo are starting to produce excellent wines
in the region with some producers starting to bring
some decent Viognier to the market place.
Having put the economic difficulties
of 2002/03 behind them Argentina is now a wine region
really starting to hit its stride. It is producing some
excellent wines, and if you have not tried a Malbec
or a Torrontes from Mendoza you really need to! Expand
your palate, there is a large selection of Argentinean
wines available in the Galway area, and they are very
keenly priced.
The following are some of my favourite
producers from this region,
- · Catena – Selection available from
Thomas Woodberrys
- · Argento – Selection available from
Thomas Woodberrys and Tesco
- · Pascual Toso – Selection available
from The Vineyard
- · Familia Zuccardi – Selection available
from Harvest Off Licences.
Vintages tend not to be a huge issue with Argentinean
wines, the last 5 years vintages are generally accepted
as very good for both reds and whites. |
