South American Wine Guide, Independent Guide to the Best Wines in South America for Visitors to Peru

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South American Wines

An Introduction to the Wines of South America for Visitors to Peru

Wines from Argentina: Introduction / Regions / Notable Producers / Reviews

Regions

Argentina Wine Regions
http://www.southamericanwinesonline.co.uk/page.asp?id=arg

Wine production dates back to the first recorded vineyard in Northern Argentina, at Santiago del Estero in 1557.

Today, more than 221,700 hectares are planted with vines - in the West of the country where the Andes foothills are home to the key wine producing regions:

SALTA 1,900ha
CATAMARCA 2,400ha
LA RIOJA 8,200ha
SAN JUAN 47,200ha
MENDOZA 155,000ha
NEUQUÉN 1,000ha
RÍO NEGRO 2,900ha
The wine regions extend over 1250 miles from Salta in the hot North to Río Negro in cool Patagonia, and range in altitude between 300m and 2400m above sea level. Mendoza is the biggest wine-growing province, with over 80% of wine production.

Mendoza

Mendoza represents more than 80% of all the wine production in the country, from its 155,000 hectares of vineyards and can be divided in five sub-regions, each with specific characteristics according to location, height and soil composition.

Northern Mendoza covers the lowest area of the region, watered by the Mendoza River. Altitude ranges from 600 to 700 metres above sea level. Lavalle and part of Maipú, Guaymallén, Las Heras and San Martin departments are included within this area.

Eastern Mendoza where altitudes range between 600 and 750 metres above sea level, and varied relief of the land presents significant differences in weather, soil and temperature range. Junin, Rivadavia, San Martín, La Paz y Santa Rosa are part of this region.

Rio Mendoza to the south of the City of Mendoza, covering Luján de Cuyo and Maipú departments. They are known as “the first wine area” of the Argentine wines, Luján being designated the country's first controlled appellation in 1993. Here, the height above sea level (650 to 1060 metres) and an excellent soil composition help to maintain this reputation.

Uco Valley covers the highest vineyards of the province, up to 1,400 metres above sea level, attractive cool climate conditions. Tupungato, Tunuyán and San Carlos are located in this area.

Southern Mendoza covers San Rafael and General Alvear departments. Altitudes here range from 450 to 800 metres above sea level.

San Juan

To the north of Mendoza, San Juan is the second largest wine-producing area. With a hot and dry climate and a height of 600 metres, it has historically been focussed on high-yielding grape varieties used in blending table wine, or selling as table grapes or raisins. Since the late 1990s there has been a reduction in the overall volume of wine produced as the number of small, higher quality vineyards are developing.

La Rioja

Historically, the oldest of the wine producing provinces and includes the upcoming Valle de Famatina. This valley offers optimum conditions for the growing of vines. At more than 1,000 metres above sea level, with alluvial soils, low humidity, low rainfall, high luminosity and temperatures in the summer, which range from 35° C during the day to 17° C at night. Torrontés from Famatina is well expressed in particular.

Salta

The most important region in the northern Province of Salta is Cafayate - a valley surrounded by mountain ranges, with an average altitude of 1,700 metres above sea level, more than 300 sunny days a year and a day/night temperature range in summer that may reach 18° C. Some newer vineyards are located at some of the highest points in the world for wine producing-San Pedro de Yacochuya at 2,000 metres and Colomé at 2,300 metres.

Catamarca

With an average altitude of 1,500 metres, good alluvial soil and a wide summer temperature variation from day to night, the northern region of Catamarca enjoys conditions for the production of high quality wines.

Río Negro

In Patagonia, this is the southernmost viticulture region in Argentina. The High Valley of Río Negro is excellent for the production of cooler climate wines and sparkling wines.

Neuquén

In Patagonia, the Province of Neuquén has excellent quality soils for the development of cool climate wines and is a region fast developing a reputation. The cold weather and the constant windy conditions create an environment where insecticide treatments are not necessary allowing delicate grapes like Pinot Noir to express themselves to the full.

South American Wines - An Independent Guide to the some of the Best Wines from Peru, Argentina & Chile.