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How to Select the Best Argentine Wines
When anyone hears about Argentine wine, the first thing they think of are Mendozan wines. This is for a good reason. Mendozan wines are spectacular, especially the Mablec, which is known as Argentina's national grape. What most people don't realize, is that there are many different regions in Argentina that produce amazing wines. Here is a breakdown of the regions, and which wines grow best in each region.
Northern Regions
The northern regions are comprised of wines from Salta, Jujuy, and Catamarca. You can find some amazing wines here, especially Torrontes, which is the other emblematic grape originating in Argentina. Most people are unfamiliar with Torrontes, because it is not a common grape and mainly comes out of Argentina. They are always very dry, just on the edge of bitter, but have a great floral nose, and some nice fruity flavors.
Both Catamarca and Salta grow the best Torrontes wines, and if you buy a Torrontes from Argentina, buy one from one of these regions. When buying Torrontes, remember that new, fresh vintages are the ones to go for, as they do not age well. Always purchase the current year's vintage.
Another varietal that also does very well in the north is the famous Cabernet Sauvignon, which everyone is familiar.
San Juan
San Juan is south of Salta and north of Mendoza, and is where some of the country's best Shiraz wines come from. This region is a dessert, and the dry climate, combined with the region's soil, are very conducive to high quality Shiraz and Viognier. Keep in mind that shiraz' from Argentina and those from Australia are much different. The ones from Argentina are much less fruity, and tend to have a little more spice.
Mendoza
Mendoza is the wine lover's goldmine, and you can find high quality wines of nearly any grape. Nevertheless, the true star of this area is the Malbec grape, and the best regions in Mendoza for Malbec are the Valle de Uco and Lujan de Cuyo. If you are purchasing Malbec, it is recommended to buy one from one of these regions. Other wines that do well in Mendoza include Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo.
Southern Regions
South of Mendoza, there are two major wine producing regions, Neuquen and Rio Negro. If you are buying Merlot or Pinot Noir from Argentina, these are the regions you should be getting them from. The cooler climates and shorter days make it possible to produce some excellent quality wines of these varietals.
If you are buying wine from a wine store outside of Argentina, you can know the region by looking at the wine label on the back of the bottle. Near the bottom it should indicate in which region the grapes were grown. If you are travelling through Argentina, then you should do your best to go to some of these wineries, where you can taste firsthand the different lines that each winery has. However, all major cities have excellent wine stores, and you can find wines from all over the country in those stores. Your next step, is to select, smell, and taste!
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