Wines from Mendoza

Argentina’s Premier Wine Region!

Mendoza is lying on the high-altitude plateau of the Andes Mountains.

It is the premier wine region of Argentina, and Mendoza is responsible for almost 70% of the country’s total wine production.

This largest wine region of the country has most of its viticultural lands clustered in the northern parts that are just south of the ‘Mendoza city’.

The history of wine production in Mendoza wine region can be dated to the colonial history of the country.

Wines from Mendoza, Argentina

More delicious wines from Mendoza after the article …

Here, the first vines were said to be planted by the priests in the mid-16th century.

So, what’s special about the wines from Mendoza wine region?

Let’s have a look here…

Altitude Plays a Major Role in Mendoza

I would say that altitude is an important characteristic of the region’s terroir.

Here, the strips of the viticulturally lands that are running along the Andes Mountains are lying at about 2600 to 3900 feet above the sea level.

Bodega Renacer
Punto Final Mendoza Malbec Clasico 2014

This higher altitude appears to be moderating the hot and dry climates of the Mendoza wine region.

Here, the days will be warm and sunny which are then followed by the colder nights.

This kind of cooling-off period is slowing down the ripening process of the wine grapes thereby extending the growing season.

These are found to be responsible for richer ripe flavours of the Mendoza’s wine grapes.

Soils and Irrigation also favour the Vine Growth

The soils in this important wine region of Argentina are found to be Andean in nature and are believed to have been deposited by the rivers several thousand years ago.

They are found to be rocky and sandy with little amounts of organic matter.

Don Armando Malbec 2014/2015

Moreover, they are found to be free-draining in nature and this characteristic makes them drier and low in fertility levels.

With regards to viticulture, these kinds of soils are found to be perfect for producing smaller, concentrated berries.

Thus, we get the vine grapes which are highly structured, contains firm tannins, and with unique minerals from these soils.

In the Mendoza wine region, the irrigation is being provided by the rivers of this region.

The harvest periods are found to be warm and dry thereby enabling the wine growers to pick the wine grapes as per their ripeness.

Here, the predictable harvests enable the winemakers to have increased levels of control over the wine styles.

I would say that this is the key factor which is responsible for the international reputation of Mendoza wines.

Viticulture in Mendoza

Today, the Mendoza wine region is found to be occupying over 150,000 hectares for vine cultivation which makes this region with a larger number of vineyards in the whole Argentina.

For better understanding, the Mendoza can be divided into three sub-regions for learning about the viticulture here:

Beefsteak Club Malbec 2014

Central Region

This is geographically located in the northern part of Mendoza and includes three zones

Alta del Rio Mendoza

The major red and white grape varieties of the Alta del Rio Mendoza zone are:

Red Grape Varieties

Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
Tempranillo
Bonarda
Syrah
Sangiovese

White Grape Varieties

Chardonnay
Semillón

East zone

The major red, rosé, and white grape varieties of the East zone are:

Red Grape Varieties

Malbec
Bonarda
Tempranillo
Sangiovese
Barbera
Merlot
Syrah

Rosé Grape Varieties

Great Creole
Pink Moscatel
Cherry

White Grape Varieties

Pedro Ximénez
Ugni Blanc
Chenin Blanc

North zone

The major red and white grape varieties of the North zone are:

Red Grape Varieties

Malbec
Bonarda
Barbera

White Grape Varieties

Chenin Blanc
Pedro Ximénez
Ugni Blanc
Torrontés

The Uco Valley Region

The major red and white varieties of this sub-region are:

Red Grape Varieties

Malbec
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Tempranillo
Bonarda
Pinot Noir
Syrah

Sanchez Romate
Cardenal Mendoza Clasico

White Grape Varieties

Chardonnay
Semillón
Torrontés
Pedro Ximenez

South Region

The major red and white varieties of this sub-region are:

Red Grape Varieties

Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Sangiovese
Syrah
Bonarda

White Grape Varieties

Chenin Blanc
Semillón
Torrontés
Chardonnay

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Author

Tharani Rajamanickam

Winewriter

I am Tharani, I have Bachelors degree in Biotechnology. I am passionate about the wine industry and continue to explore, learn and share and I bring in a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help you keep updated with best wines in the world. Stay tuned..

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