Mendoza Wine

Mendoza is by far the largest and most prolific wine region in all of Argentina. It’s part of the larger, Cuyo region, in the west of the country, bordering the Andes, which provide a good deal of climate protection. The area is mostly hot and dry, but there is some natural river irrigation, particularly from the Mendoza from which it is named. The biggest threat is from the dry, “Zonda” winds, which have been known to damage the grapes. Many of the vineyards are high altitude, some crazy, dizzyingly high, with published reports of as high as 5600 feet above sea level. This allows for precisioned grape-growing for maximum ripeness and temperature control. The soils tend to be alluvial clay (sand over clay). Because the harvest season is predictably warm and dry from year to year, there is little vintage variation and wine-makers have advantageous control over the styles of wine and varietals produced.

Once famed for its pink-skinned grapes Criolla Grande and Cereza, Mendoza is now pretty much Malbec Central, though the other two are still widely grown for jug wine and blending. Other popular grapes grown in the region are Bonarda (brought over by the Italians), Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo for reds. Torrontes is the popular indigenous white grape, known for its perfumed aroma balanced with tropical fruit flavors and acidity. Other popular white grapes grown are Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Semillon and Viognier.

Argentina’s wine production began to thrive in the 1880s with the expansion of the country’s railroads. The Great Depression marked major economic and political problems which slowed things down considerably until the Malbec fad started to hit in the 1970s. The 1980s marked a real turning point in the region’s wine-making history, when foreign vintners, primarily from America and France, took an interest and began to consult and collaborate with local wine-makers. Opportunities to overhaul equipment and invest in quality viticulture paid off. Investments came in, while exports took off.

Mendoza is further subdivided into these subregions:

    * Agrelo
    * Barrancas
    * Las Compuertas
    * Lujan de Cuyo
    * Lunlunta
    * Maipu
    * Perdriel
    * San Martin
    * San Rafael
    * Uco Valley
    * Ugarteche
    * Vistalba