Wine of Argentina
Travelling around South America seven years ago, I fell in love with Argentinian culture and gastronomy, deciding to live there, and spend the next three years exploring and understanding Argentinian food, wine and hospitality. After working in ‘Bodega Zuccardi’ winery, I moved to fine dining restaurant ‘Uco’ for two years in Buenos Aires mentored by Andres Rosberg (President of International Sommelier Association).
Argentina is an ancient vineyard; the first vine was planted by the Spanish coloniser in 1551. Viticulture only developed in the 18th century with the exportation to Caribbean, but it’s only in the 19th century that major investment was done in order to fight vine diseases and improve the viticulture and the wine quality.
Currently Argentina is the 5th largest producer of wine in the world[1] and the biggest producer of Malbec, representing 38% of wine production, being the household Argentinian grape known around the world. With 3800km extension from north to south and up to 3000m AMSL alongside the Andes mountain range, Argentina is unique and offers a rare diversity of climate, soils and altitude.
Keys areas:
- The North with the famous Cafayate, knowns for its high vineyard, and dry climate. The region mainly producing red wine, however receives most applause from its white wine production made out of Torrontés, the local grape variety. The highest vineyard is 3111m AMSL.
- Cuyo is known as the best wine region in the country, it also boasts 95% of the total area planted in the country. Mendoza is the main sub region and the most famous for its quality in the country (ed. Look for Uco Valley). Malbec represent by itself 37% of this production.
- Patagonia, located in the south, shows a cooler climate being one of the most southern vineyards in the world. Mainly Malbec and red wines produced but showing a completely different profile that its northern regions. Very serious white wine, including Chardonnay are produced.
Malbec (“mal-bek“) the flagship of Argentina:[2]
Originally from Cahors in the Southwest of France, Malbec was well represented in the Bordeaux region but almost completely disappeared during the second half of the 19th century. Luckily the grape variety was exported around the 1840s-1850s to Chile and Argentina, under the control of French viticulturist the Malbec showed better adaptability and quality under Argentinian soil and climate. Supported in Mendoza by Marcel Aime Pouget, the grape took a central place in the viticulture and matched perfectly with Argentinian culture.
Noted for its intense dark colour and fruit explosion, Malbec offers a diversity of styles that can match any local dish: from the traditional Argentine barbecue to other dishes such as pasta, pizzas or cheese.
On April 17th 2011 Argentina celebrated for the first time Malbec World Day.
Torrontés (“torr-ron-tez”), the local signature[3] :
Only found in Argentina, Torrontés is internationally known for its aromatic profile and frequently compared to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
The grape has 3 variants: Mendocino and San juanino, the lightest and Riojano, the most popular and cultivated. The best Torrontés are found in the northern part of the country (Cafayate). Due to its dry but aromatic profile (ripe peaches, geranium) Torrontés is an ideal wine to match with local food like empanadas or humita but also with Asian and Indian cuisine.
Argentina offers the world such diverse styles of wine, which are so unique to the region. So much so that even after leaving the country over four years ago, I still have a special emotion every time I open a bottle of Argentinian wine and enjoy taking my guest through that journey with me.
What to drink in Australia
Under $50
Mythic ‘Mountain Malbec’ (Artisan Malbec) https://wineclub.artisanmalbec.com.au/products/12567-mythic-mountain-malbec
Zuccardi ‘Q Malbec’ (Dan Murphy’s) https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_916170/zuccardi-q-malbec
Luigi Bosca ‘DOC Malbec’ (wineclub) http://wineclub.artisanmalbec.com.au/products/13194-luigi-bosca-d-o-c-malbec?fbclid=IwAR1NlN5psFQHt7b5GkGJCIu0LyE8Ip9Z5kAl98GtYPg02yU0SIAeMnqoLZU
Matias Riccitelli ‘The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ Torrontés (Senses At) http://www.sensesat.com/
San Pedro de Yacochuya Torrontés (Cellarit) https://taninosdelsud.com.au/
Over $50
Viniterra ‘Single Vineyard Malbec’ (Artisan Malbec) http://wineclub.artisanmalbec.com.au/products/12580-viniterra-single-vineyard-malbec
Catena Zapata ‘Adrianna Vineyard Mundus BacillusTerrea Malbec’ (Negociant) https://www.negociants.com/au/products/p-000120307
Bodega Noemia ‘J.Alberto Malbec’ (JED Merchants) https://www.jedwines.com/
Bodega Chacra & JM Roulot ‘Chacra Chardonnay’ (JED Merchants) https://www.jedwines.com/
[1]Source OIV- State of the Viticulture World Market in 2018 (April 2019) - [2]Source WOFA - https://www.winesofargentina.org/ -[3]Source: https://winefolly.com
