Mendoza

The most important and, with a total vineyard area of 144.000 hectares also by far the largest wine-growing region in Argentina. The Argentinian wine-growing pioneer Don Tiburcio Benegas (1844-1910) was governor of this province. Around 75% of all wine produced in Argentina comes from this region. It is located in the extreme west of the country at the foot of the Andes mountains, and stretches for 300 kilometres from Lavalle in the north to San Rafael in the south. A continental climate predominates, with clearly defined seasons, a dry, mild climate with medium relative humidity. The soils mostly have a stony sub-soil, with a limestone-rich top layer that includes sand or clay. This combination provides excellent conditions for the production of high-quality wines. The vineyards are lcoated at an altitude of 500 to 1.200 metres above sea level. Aroundhalf the vineyard area is still planted with the varieties Cereza, Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica. These are used to produce white or light red table wines for mass domestic consumption (Vino de Mesa), or for use as table grapes of fort he production of rectified concentrated grape must. The other half is made up of equal shares of quality red and white varieties. The most widely planted red varieties are Malbec (the most important quality variety for Argentina), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Sangiovese, Tempranilla and Bonarda. The most important white varieties are Chenin Blanc, Torrontés Riojano, Ugni Blanc, Sémillon, Tocai Friulano, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato Blanco and Pedro Giménez. A special feature in Argentina are the very old vineyards, some of which are planted with vines up to 100 years old.

The region is divided into 5 areas, which are located like oases close to rivers, which are essential in providing around half the water required for irrigation, which is vital here (absolutely no rain falls for 4 or 5 months each year, although hail is quite frequent), the other half of the water required is pumped up by some 17.000 wells that are up to 100 metres deep. The 5 regions, with their most important sub.region and sites indicated in brackets, are North Mendoza or Norte Mendocino (Guaymallén, Las Heras, Lavelle, a part of Maipú, San Martin), Rio Mendoza or Alta del Rio Mendoza (Agrelo, Anchoris, Barrancas, Carrizal, Carrodillas, Coquimbito, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, Lunlunta, the main part of Maipú, Mayor Drummond, Perdriel, Ugarteche, Vistalba), East Mendoza or Este Mendocino (Junin, Rivadavia, San Martin and Santa Rosa), South Mendoza or Sur Mendocino (General Alvear, San Rafael), Uco Valley or Valle de Uco (San Carlos, Tunuyán, Tupungato). Well-known producers include Alta Vista, Bianchi Valentin, Bodegas Caro (Catena and Rothschild), Catena (Bodegas Esmeralda), Fabre Montmayou, Hispano-Argentinas, Balbi, Chandon (owned by Moët et Chandon), Cicchitti, Finca Flichman, Lagarde, La Rural, Lavaque, López, Lurton, Marqués de Griñón, Navarro Correas, Nieto y Senetiner, Norton#Norton (Bodega Norton), Orfila, Peñaflor, Santa Ana, Trapiche and Weinert.