Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Wines of Mendoza
The province of Mendoza is the locus of Argentina's
wine industry and produces more than 80 percent of
the country's wine. In colonial times, Mendoza's first vines
arrived from neighboring Chile and spread along the
Andean front range. From the late 19th century, European -
especially Italian - immigration spurred production for
Argentina's growing urban market, in what is now the
world's sixth-biggest wine producer. From the 1970s,
Argentina began to produce fine wines for export. Since
then, burgeoning foreign investment has accelerated the
process. Dozens of
bodegas
are open for tours, tasting, and
dining. Several wineries have their own guesthouses as well.
Neatly arranged wooden casks at Bodega
La Rural
The Grape Growing Process
The production of Mendoza's wine is aided by the area's
altitude and climate, which is temperate and semi-arid, offer-
ing plenty of sunlight and little rainfall. However, the height
of the Andes can cause climatic features, such as the wither-
ing Zonda wind, to be more destructive than on the plains.
High altitudes
receive increased ultraviolet light, improving grape
color by enhancing tannins and pigments; the altitude also concen-
trates grape sugars, making the wine complex and intense.
Irrigation
takes place through an elaborate system of dams
and canals that are fed by the region's many rivers, including
Río Mendoza. These rivers carry the melting snows of the
Andes mountain range.
Vineyards remain healthy
and free from
fungal diseases due to the high altitudes that
ensure good air circulation.
Good Producers
and Vintages
Hail nets
are common
over Mendoza vine-
yards. Due to the heat
and high altitude,
electrical storms are
frequent in summer
and can bring destruc-
tive hail at any time.
Many growers reduce
their risk with
scattered vineyards,
but some take the
additional, but labor-
intensive, precaution
of protective netting
for their grapes.
• Luigi Bosca -
Luigi Bosca Malbec
Reserva 2007
,
Luigi Bosca Syrah
Reserva 2005
• Bodega Terrazas de los Andes -
Malbec 2007
• Bodegas Caro -
Amancaya
Malbec
and
Cabernet Sauvignon
2005
• Bodega Catena Zapata -
Malbec 2008
• Rutini
-
Rutini Cabernet
Malbec
2011
• Alta Vista -
Alta Vista Malbec
Mendoza Premium
2004
