Mendoza

Mendoza is by far the largest wine region in Argentina, located in the west on a high-altitude plateau on the edge of the Andes. The vineyards are mainly concentrated in the northern part of the region and cover 70% of Argentina's wine production. The Malbec grape, imported by the French agronomist Miguel Aimé Pouget, has found full citizenship in this part of the New World, so much so that the red wines obtained from this grape variety, very concentrated and intense, have become famous all over the world: Luján de Cuyo, the Maipu Valley and the Uco Valley are home to some of the biggest names in Argentine wine. The wine history of the region dates back to the colonial era, with the first vines planted by the priests of the Jesuit order in the mid-16th century. The production formerly intended for internal use, experienced a flourishing expansion in 1885 with the construction of a railway line that connected Mendoza to the capital Buenos Aires, favoring the transport and marketing of wine outside the region. The vineyards located at important altitudes, generally between 800 and 1,200 meters above sea level, can benefit from a more moderate climate than the very hot and dry one that can be found at low altitudes. Furthermore, the considerable excursion between day and night, due to the intervention of cold westerly winds, causes a slowdown in ripening which brings richer and more mature flavors to the grapes. The always hot and dry harvesting periods allow winegrowers to choose the most appropriate time for harvesting based solely on the stage of maturation reached and to decide with greater freedom the production styles they intend to adopt for their wines. The dry and not very fertile soil is perfect for the cultivation of the vine, forced to develop very deep roots to reach the water and nourishment they need, producing small and concentrated berries that will give life to structured, mineral and tannin wines I decided. In addition to Malbec, in Mendoza there is also space for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Torrontés and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, but the region's journey as a producer of quality sparkling wines has also just begun. The natural beauty of the area makes it a popular wine tourism destination.