Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wines in the world and the second largest in Latin America behind Chile. Wine production increased in 2002 after the devaluation of the Argentine pesco following the economic collapse and fuelling a decrease of production costs and a rise in both tourism and wine tourism. Argentina’s most important wine region ‘The Mendoza Province’ is now also Argentina’s most popular tourist destinations. Other popular wine regions include San Juan, La Rioja, Salta, Catamarca, Negro and Buenos Aires. Most of the major wine regions are located in the western part of the country amongst the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
Argentinean law states that if a grape appears on the label then at least 80% must be compressed from that grape variety. High yielding pink skin grapes Cereze, Criolla, Criolla Grande and Chica have been in production since the early days of wine production in Argentina and account for 30% of all vines planted in Argentina today. These wines are often used today for jug wine or grape concentrate and exported internationally with Japan being a large importer.
Argentinean Red Wine grapes include Malbec, which is the most widely planted red grape, followed by Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo.
Argentinean White Wine grapes include Pedro Gimenez, which is the most widely planted white grape. This grape is known for its full body, high alcohol levels and is also used to produce grape concentrate. Other white wine grapes consist of Torrontes, Muscat of Alexandria, Chardonnay, Torrontes Sanjuanino, Suavignon Blanc, Chenin blanc, Pinot gri, Riesling, Sauvignonasse, Semillon, Ugni Blanc and Viognier.