Argentine wine comes from Argentina and has been produced since the early 16th century. There are over 400,000 acres of vineyards in Argentina that produce a total of 4 million hectoliters of wine each year, making it the ninth largest producer of wine in the world. Surprisingly, most Argentine wine is consumed domestically, as exports are quite small. Most Argentines drink an average of four bottles of wine per person each year! With all this wine being produced, there’s bound to be some odd facts about Argentine wine that you might not know about.
1) Argentina is One of the Largest Vineyards in South America
The country has over 8 million acres of vineyards, with 1.5 million in Mendoza alone. With a total of 175 wine-producing regions, there’s not a bad place to drink wine in Argentina. The most cultivated grape varieties are Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda for reds and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Torrontes for whites.
2) Argentina Has French and Italian Influences
Argentina has four wine regions: Mendoza, San Juan, Salta and Catamarca. These regions have Mediterranean influences from Italy and France. Argentina has 30 different grape varieties that are used to create their wines.
3) A History of Innovation
Argentina’s wine-producing region, Mendoza, is where Malbec was invented. The grape has since spread to all corners of the world, and is now one of Argentina’s most popular export items. But that’s not all Argentina has been innovating lately. Watch our video below to learn more
4) Argentinian Wines Are Well Made
With less focus on quantity and more on quality, Argentinian wines have been making a name for themselves around the world, winning awards and drawing attention from established wine connoisseurs. In addition to their high-quality production methods, there’s a lot to learn about how Argentina became such an esteemed producer of wine; here are 10 facts you probably didn’t know about Argentinian wine.
5) Argentinian Wines are Affordable
It’s true that Argentina is gaining a reputation as one of the great wine regions of both South America and all of Latin America, but many people are still shocked by how affordable its wines are. Even top bottles from high-end wineries sell for $15 or less in Argentina. If you want to sample some amazing wines while saving money on your trip, look no further than Argentina. Plus, tourists can visit almost any vineyard in Patagonia and have a personal experience with local winemakers.
6) The Future of Argentinian Wines
Argentina is experiencing a wine revolution. A few decades ago, Argentina was known for producing cheap wines with less-than-stellar quality. Today, Argentina has established itself as one of South America’s top wine countries and one of Latin America’s most important wine players.
7) Distinctly Argentinian Varietals
The most important and popular grape varietals for winemaking in Argentina are Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Carmenère, Torrontés and Riesling. Surprisingly enough for a country where Malbec is king, it’s actually only grown in about half of Argentina’s wine regions. If you enjoy enjoying varieties from places other than France or Australia then you should look out for wines made from these grapes.
8) Blending Is Key in Argentina
One of Argentina’s unique aspects is its extensive use of blending in white wine production. While blending is commonly used for creating a more consistent style, some winemakers have turned to it as a way to add complexity to their wines.
9) Argentina’s Future In Sparkling Wine
Argentina’s growing wine industry is making a name for itself with its red wines, but what many wine connoisseurs might not know is that sparkling wine from Argentina has been gaining popularity since 2003.
10) Argentina’s Future In Red Wine
For a long time, Argentina has been best known for its white wine. But more and more Argentines are converting to red. In fact, vintners in Mendoza are working hard to build a name for Argentina as a red wine country. It looks like they’re going to succeed too
