Vine growing in Argentina

The vine growing in Argentina is originating in Spain. In 1557 during the colonization of Americas, certain Juan Cedrón (or Cidrón) brought the first vine stocks to Santiago del Estero, and the culture of the Grape as well as the production of Vin started in the surroundings, then extended gradually to other areas from the country.

As in much of country of America it was initially tried with local type of vines ( vitis labrusca , rupestris ,…) who are not same stock that the European type of vines ( vitis will vinifera ). These local type of vines give to the wine a taste foxé (very hard and acid), which generally is not very appreciated; but quickly the monks franciscains made come from Europe the best type of vines.

Already about the middle of the 19th century, the vineyard was important and did not cease developing, even if, nowadays, exploited surfaces are lower than those of the years 1970. This reduction is compensated largely by the increase in output.

Production

Of European culture, the Argentinian ones are wine consumers. They consume of them approximately 45 liters per annum and per anybody. They succeeded in the exploit to rise with the 5th world rank of the wine producers. Nevertheless, they export only one negligible quantity of their wines (hardly 5%).

Traditionally the Argentinian wine growers always privileged the quantity rather than quality, and the country consumes nearly 90% of its own production. But the need and the desire to increase exports were at the base of a significant growth of quality, and the Argentinian wines started to be exported as of the years 1980 and especially 1990. Their fame strongly develops.

Currently, Argentina is the first South American producer and the fifth on a world level, with more or less 12 million hectolitres produced in 2003. It is the thirteenth world exporter (in 2005) for an amount of 431 million dollars (USD).

There are currently approximately 212.000 hectares planted in vine in Argentina, including 8.000 hectares used out of table grapes and dry grapes. Thanks to the low moisture of the majority of the areas where the vine pushes, grace also to its culture in raised valleys, this one is seldom attacked by insects or mushrooms or other diseases of the vine, as it is the case in other areas of the world. Therefore, little or not use of pesticides, which makes it possible to obtain wines of biological high-quality, increasingly required by the consumers.

Producing areas

It is especially with the foot of the Andes, at an altitude ranging between 800 and 1.700 meters, that the vineyards are (although one finds some up to 2.500 meters). A clever system of irrigation made up of channels and basins make it possible to the vine growers to irrigate these plantations.

The most important wine-producing areas are in the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan still called area of the Cuyo, like in that of Rioja.

The provinces of Salta, Jujuy, Catamarca, Río Negro and Neuquén also produce grapes and wine.

The province of Mendoza represents more than 60% of the production of wines. Argentinian and is at the origin of a percentage of 84% of their value (during the first quarter 2006).

Province of Mendoza: areas of Central Valle , Mendoza, Valle de Uco , and of San Rafael.
Province of San Juan: Valle de Tulum , Valle de Ullum .
Province of Salta: the valleys Calchaquí be .
Province of Rioja: Valle de Famatina .
Province of Catamarca: Valle de Tinogasta .
Province of Río Negro: high valley of the Río Negro (province patagonienne).
Province of Jujuy: in the area of San Salvador de Jujuy (It is the place where one produced wines at a maximum altitude).
Province of Neuquén: area of San Pedro del Chañar (province patagonienne).

It should be noted that since the beginning of the years 2000, one produces white wines end in the province of Chubut, which makes the latter the area having the southernmost vineyards of the world.

Type of vines

White

the white wines in general are Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon, Chenin, Viognier and Sémillon.
the wine of Torrontés grape can be of Torrontés Riojano, Torrontés Mendocino and Torrontés Sanjuanino. Torrontés, of Spanish origin and which produce very refreshing wines, with the muscatés, spiced flavors and citrus fruits pointing out sometimes a little the Gewürztraminer.
the wines based on the type of vine Pedro Ximénez are produced in Mendoza and Rioja.

Red

the type of vines Malbec, Bonarda Tempranillo and Cabernet-Sauvignon (in less quantity) are used for the red wines " premium" in Mendoza, which accounts for 25% of its production
There is a less production of Cabernet/Merlot, varieties of black Pinot and Syrah.
has San Juan, there are many good wines of Syrah.
the indigenous grapes Criolla Large and Cereza are used for 50% of the production of the province of Mendoza, which is not thus exported and gives wines of low price of less quality.

Bonds

'' CARACTERÍSTICAS OF COSECHA THERE EVALUACIÓN OF VINOS AÑO 2006 ''
'' wine-producing areas in Argentina ''

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