Argentina

In Argentina, grape growing began at the time of the Spanish conquest and had a development on great scale from half-full of century XIX in valleys of the Andean provinces. The region apt for the culture of the grapevine extends throughout the Mountain range of the Andes from the Province of Salta in the North to the Province of Rio Negro in the South of the country. The grate amplitude of this zone, combined with the particular topography of Andean valleys, allows to cultivate an ample range of grapevines and their varieties.

Mendoza, “The land of the sun and the good wine”, as usually it calls the Province, is the more important vineyard center of the country. In addition, the viticulture constitutes one of the main economic activities of the province. At the present time, there are 16430 vineyards that represent 69.39% of the total of the country.

In the Province of Mendoza, that shows the greater surface implanted in the country with almost 140,000 hectares of vineyards, four differentiated viticultural oases are well distinguished. Central-West includes the vineyards of the departments of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu. The oasis of the East includes the vineyards of the departments of Junin, Rivadavia, San Martin and Santa Rosa. The oasis of the South is extended on the feet of the Mountain range of the Andes in the departments of San Rafael and General Alvear. The Uco Valley is located at the Southwest of the city of Mendoza in the basin of the Tunuyán River, and includes the departments of Tupungato, Tunuyán and San Carlos (the altitude varies between the 900 and 1,500 meters). At the moment, it is the zone of greater evolution in grape growing investments. This region, where apples, pears, nuts and cherries are cultivated, is perfect for the cultivation of grapevines of high quality and proves the new course of grape growing and the Argentine enology.

In Mendoza 39% of vineyards are implanted with red grapes, 21% with white grapes and 40% with rosé. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina are among the top rated wines in the world. There are a bunch of others reds each has a characteristically distinct aroma and flavour.

Many varieties in Argentina reflect its Italian and Spanish immigrant population. Italians brought Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, and Bonarda. The Spanish brought Tempranillo, (Spain’s answer to Cabernet Sauvignon), and Torrontés, a white wine grape from Galicia.

Fruit Characters in Mendoza

The Reds

Malbec With very intense concentrated purple colour and pleasant taste, it ranks amongst the top wines in the world. It has velvet texture and long soft flavour, and consists of aromas of berry fruits, plums, cherries and honey.

Cabernet Sauvignon This red wine is tinged with deep purple and navy blue notes and gives an aroma of red fruit, cocoa, dried fruits, pepper and raspberries.

Syrah This wine of French origin is one of the great blended wines. It is found in the Uco Valley of Mendoza. It is the most renowned wine after Bordeaux and burgundy from France.

Merlot It is a deep red wine with shades of purple and magenta with aromas of caramel, black plum, bitumen, mulberry and occasionally mint.

The Whites

Semillon Characteristically this wine is light yellow, with aromas of wet straw, bland and possesses fruity flavours.

Torrontes This native Argentine wine is predominantly grown in the Provinces of La Rioja,  Mendoza and Salta. In Mendoza, almost 12000 hectares of cultivated area is dedicated to this variety. This excellent fine Argentine grape dates back to the times when viticulture had just started in Argentina.

Chenin Blanc This wine is characterized with medium-sized, full and compact clusters with yellow-gold, ellipsoidal berries and has accentuated perfume.

Riesling This wine variety has a small cluster with small, spherical, yellow-gold berries. It has a characteristic delicate perfume. Riesling varieties are distinguishes by citric and herbal aromas, their light body and a well-marked acidity.

Fincas Patagónicas sources its wines from vineyards near 4,000 feet elevation along the immense Andes Mountains. It is this unique geography, climate and elevation that make Argentina a world-class wine producing country. Grapes are exposed to intense sunlight during the day, which brings forth the bright fruit-forward characteristics of the wines, while cool nights help maintain the wine's bright acidity.

Fincas Patagónicas selects grapes from vineyards in the key regions of Agrelo, Tupungato, and Ugarteche all of them in Mendoza, the largest and most important wine region in Argentina and one of the top wine appellations in South America that  Fincas Patagónicas vineyards include.

• 222      acres (90 hectares) near Agrelo, along the Ruta del Vino, or Wine Route,      that connects a number of renowned Mendoza wineries. It is the site of the new Fincas Patagónicas winery.
• 1116      acres (452 hectares) in the Valle de Uco near the town of Tupungato at the      base of the Andes. At close to 1450 meters in elevation, this is one of      the highest vineyards in Argentina
• 73      acres (30 hectares) near 3,335 feet (1100 meters) elevation in La      Arboleda, Tupungato, where Malbec gets its best colours and aroma.
• 771      acres (312 hectares) of vineyard land near Ugarteche.