Feb. 8, 2018
With the winter months in full swing, consumers are naturally looking for wines to pair with their hearty seasonal meals. Wines from the high-altitude region of Argentina-South America's largest and fastest-growing wine region-bring the warmth of their home country to your customer's table.
Here are four things you need to know to help make your Argentinian wines as enticing, and sellable, as possible.
Ain't no mountain high enough
Argentina's wine growing regions are unique for the high altitude that they are produced in. That factor, along with low humidity, means that Argentinian wines rarely face issues that affect vineyards in other countries.
"The fact that Argentina is at such a high altitude, winemakers do not have to worry about a lot of insects, bacteria and other things that will mess with the wines, which creates longevity in the vineyards," said Sam Heider, Breakthru Beverage Colorado Fine Wine Development Manager. "Argentina has some of the oldest vines growing in the world. We're talking upwards of 150 year-old vines that are still producing fruit."
This allows cultivating with little or no pesticides, enabling clean and even organic wines to be easily produced.
Ultra-premium price tier is on the rise
When Argentinian wine first made waves in the U.S., led by chief import Malbec, they were known for the exceptional value they offered with a low price point. As familiarity and demand have risen for Malbec, and Argentinian wines overall, so have the prices that consumers are willing to pay. Having a variety of options besides the traditional $9.99 Malbec can drive greater revenue and profit. Recent figures from Nielsen show the ultra-premium price tier ($15-19.99) is up 3.2%.
More than Malbec
The predominant grape from Argentina is Malbec, a Bordeaux variety imported to Argentina from France in the mid 19th century. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir. While Malbec's predominance may lead some consumers to think red when they think Argentina, Torrontés, a floral, tropical-tasting white grape indigenous to Argentina has also established itself as a noteworthy addition to any wine list or shelf. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.
Pair it well
The rich flavor and diversity found in Argentinian wines make them ideal for food pairing. The traditional marriage of Malbec and meats are well suited for menus featuring sirloin, poultry, pasta or hard cheeses. However, its versatile terroir also pairs well with chocolates and other desserts. Torrontés is also exceptionally pairable, as it coexists in harmony with intense and hot flavors, working very well with Japanese, Chinese or Thai cuisine. With the spring season (hopefully) not far away, Torrontés is also a great wine for the patio.
FAQs
What wines are Argentina known for? ›
Argentina has a rich wine history, with the country producing an endless array of different wines such as Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, and Malbec. Out of all of the wines that Argentina produces, it is perhaps best known for creating the best Malbecs in the entire world.
Why is Argentina's wine important? ›Today, Argentina exports around 20% of its wine, with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil being its most important markets. The volume of wine exported represents a considerable stream of revenues for the Argentine economy, equivalent to $212.6 million.
What two grapes are considered the focus of the Argentine wine industry? ›Historically, the region has been dominated by production of wine from the high yielding, pink-skinned varieties of Cereza and Criolla Grande but in recent years Malbec has become the regions most popular planting.
Which of the following are the two key wine districts in Argentina? ›The main Argentine wine regions are Salta and the Norte, Mendoza, San Juan and Patagonia. In the Norte and Salta regions, vineyards spread throughout the Valles Calchaquíes and are characterised by their high altitudes, since they are on the edge of the Andes mountain range.
What is Argentina's most famous wine? ›What is the most popular wine in Argentina? Mendoza Malbec is by far the most popular regional style of wine produced in Argentina in terms of both notoriety and volume.
What is Argentina's most important wine region? ›Mendoza is considered to be the heart of the Argentinian wine industry. It is not only the largest wine-growing region in Latin America, it is also the largest producer of Malbec wines worldwide.
What is the history of Argentine wines? ›The history of Argentine wine dates back to the 16th century and the time of the Spanish conquest. The first vines were planted at that time from stock brought on ships from Spain and were the mainstay until noble European varieties were introduced in the mid-19th century.
What drink is Argentina known for? ›Mate is the most popular beverage in Argentina, well above coffee and tea. According to the National Institute of Yerba Mate an average of 100 liters of mate is consumed annually per person in the country. Mate is present in over 90% of Argentine households.
What does Argentina wine taste like? ›ARGENTINA: The main fruit flavors in a glass of Argentine Malbec are blackberry, plum, and black cherry. The nuanced flavors offer milk chocolate, cocoa powder, violet flowers, leather, and, depending on the amount of oak aging, a sweet tobacco finish.
What is the most important red grape in Argentina? ›Malbec is the most important red grape variety of Argentina, but it also produces excellent wine in many other countries around the world.
Which is considered to be the national red grape of Argentina? ›
Main grapes
Malbec - considered the national drink of Argentina, the red wines made from Malbec (a grape originally from the south west of France) have established Argentina as a world wine powerhouse in the past 30 years.
Malbec was introduced in Argentina in 1853 by Michel Aimé Pougé. A winemaking technician from Bordeaux, who was hired by the governor of Mendoza to develop Argentina's wine region. Several centuries later, Malbec is now the flagship grape of Argentina.
What is the wine city in Argentina? ›The vast majority of wineries in Argentina are located in Mendoza and as such, it is considered the heart of the country's wine-making industry. Find out more about Wine tasting and Tours in Mendoza.
What are the three famous wine regions? ›Top Wine Regions of The World. The top 4 major wine regions of the world are France, Italy, U.S.A., and Spain. They produce just over half of all the wine in the world.
How did Argentina's wine industry begin? ›The first vineyards were planted by Spanish colonists in Argentina. Priests planted vineyards near their monasteries (including Franciscan, Benedictine, and Jesuit Missions) to make communion wine. A grape called Criolla Grande was preferred for its high productivity.
What is Argentina's most traditional drink? ›- Nothing captures the essence of Argentina as well as the preparation and consumption of mate (pronounce mah-tay).
- Yerba mate is a dried, chopped leaf similar to the common evergreen member of the holly family.
What is the number 1 wine in the world? The best overall wine of the world is Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2016, renowned for its rich, aromatic aromas, full body and elegant, layered notes.
Why is Malbec so popular in Argentina? ›Malbec Global Popularity
One reason why Malbec is so popular, is because it is produced in 7 different countries: Malbec is most commonly grown in Argentina, due to the declining growth in France, with 76,000 hectares of vineyards.
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What country produces the most wine?
- Italy. ...
- France. ...
- Spain. ...
- United States. ...
- Argentina.
The country is home to an estimated 2,000 wineries, making it the 5th largest producer of wine worldwide. From Salta in the north to Patagonia in the south, a tour to Argentina is a must for anyone who values a good glass of wine. Argentina's wine regions produce grapes with a distinct flavor, quality and aroma.
What is the oldest known wine? ›
Oldest Wine in Existence Today: 325-350 AD Speyer Wine Bottle. Found in 1867 in the tomb of Roman soldier, the Speyer wine bottle is believed to be the oldest wine in existence.
What are 3 things Argentina is known for? ›Argentina is famous for its excellent wine and food, as well as music and dance. Read on and you'll soon see why Argentina deserves a spot on your South America bucket list.
What are 2 interesting facts about Argentina? ›It is the second largest country in South America after Brazil, and the eighth largest country in the world. To the west, the towering Andes mountains create a natural 5,142km high border with Chile, and the eastern border of the country is the Atlantic Ocean.
How much is a glass of wine in Argentina? ›...
| Characteristic | Price per liter in Argentine pesos |
|---|---|
| Standard | 86.4 |
| Premium | 141.7 |
| Super and ultra premium | 257.2 |
Fernet-Branca is by far the most popular brand in the country, leading the market and reaching a "mythical" status among Argentines. Other popular brands include 1882, Capri, Ramazzotti and Vittone.
Which red wine is most anti inflammatory? ›Malbec. As an especially thick-skinned variety, Malbec claims higher antioxidant levels than other red wines especially in terms of resveratrol. This variety has two to four times the amount of anti-inflammatory, health boosting antioxidants than other popular red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
What is the king of red grapes? ›When it comes to red grapes, there is no variety as noble, significant, and popular as the mighty Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine lovers affectionately call it 'the king of red grapes', standing atop a pedestal of bacchanal glory.
What are the big 6 grapes? ›There are literally hundreds of wine grapes, but to get a really strong start in understanding quality wine, get familiar with what I call “the big six” wine grapes: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay for whites; and Pinot Noir, Merlot/Cabernet (which are very similar and often blended together), and Syrah aka ...
What you need to know about Malbec? ›Malbec is a full-bodied red wine that originated in France but grows mostly in Argentina. While French Malbec is more savory and tart, with firm tannins and flavors of plum and leather, Argentinian Malbec is more fruit forward, with a velvet texture and flavors of cocoa and plum.
What are the 3 noble red grapes? ›The red noble grapes were Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
What is the most common red wine in Argentina? ›
Argentina is red wine country: red grapes account for 54.3% of vineyards, the country's most famous wines are reds and the most popular grape variety, Malbec, is, of course, red.
What fruit is native to Argentina? ›Manzana / Apple
Apple is one of the world's most popular fruits and is the national fruit of Argentina.
Argentina is an important actor in the international fruit scene. We produce different fruits: lemon, pear, apples, blueberries, plums, tangerines, oranges, grapefruit, cherries and table grapes. Strawberries, peaches, avocados and figs have grown considerably in the international markets.
What is Argentina red grape is known for? ›Argentina's Red Grape Varietals
Argentina is best known for its Malbec, and certainly Malbec is the most widely planted grape there. It accounts for around 38 percent of red varieties produced and approximately 21 percent of all wine varieties.
What wine is Mendoza known for? Mendoza is unquestionably best-known for its full-bodied, red Malbec wines. Malbec is the flagship grape of the region.
What is the wine capital of the world? ›The most famous wine capital is definitely Bordeaux, the capital of South West France, added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. Bordeaux wine region is an excellent gateway to some of the world's most famous vineyards.
Where is the birthplace of wine? ›Georgia is generally considered the 'cradle of wine', as archaeologists have traced the world's first known wine creation back to the people of the South Caucasus in 6,000BC. These early Georgians discovered grape juice could be turned into wine by burying it underground for the winter.
What are the 4 main types of wine? ›- White wine. Did you know that white wine can be made from red and black grapes? ...
- Red wine. ...
- Rosé wine. ...
- Sparkling wine.
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Top per capita wine consuming countries in 2020.
| Rank | Country | consumption per person, litre wine |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 51.9 |
| 2 | Italy | 46.6 |
| 3 | France | 46 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 35.7 |
Argentina is the largest South American wine producer and one of the “New World” wine regions.
How much wine is produced in Argentina? ›
Wine production in Argentina surpassed 8.4 million hectoliters in 2018, and, although experiencing a decreased production since 2015, forecasts are still promising.
Who were the first wine drinkers? ›It is believed the Phoenician traders introduced the Greeks to the joys of wine. After the Phoenicians did the Greeks this favour, wine industries were established in most of Western Europe. Alexander the Great also introduced the drink to Asia.
What is the national drink of Argentina? ›Maté is becoming increasingly popular and can be enjoyed at any time of day, on its own or as a blend. But did you know that it is THE national drink in Argentina, and that it is consumed as part of a unique ceremony?
What alcohol is Argentina known for? ›Argentina is most internationally known for its malbec, a wine variety that can vary in flavor, but most known for its dark purple red color, strong fruity flavors, and ample amount of tannins.
What is the signature grape in Argentina? ›The 17th of April marks the anniversary of Argentina's signature grape, Malbec. The 17th of April marks the anniversary of Argentina's signature grape, Malbec.
What is considered Argentina's national red wine? ›Malbec - considered the national drink of Argentina, the red wines made from Malbec (a grape originally from the south west of France) have established Argentina as a world wine powerhouse in the past 30 years. Rich red fruit, plenty of floral violets, some dark savoury tones and a charry edge exemplify these wines.
What are the top 3 drinks in Argentina? ›In Argentina Malbec, Fernet, and yerba mate are proud national emblems. High quality Argentine wines have rocketed to international prominence.
What drink do Argentines drink? ›Mate is the most popular beverage in Argentina, well above coffee and tea. According to the National Institute of Yerba Mate an average of 100 liters of mate is consumed annually per person in the country. Mate is present in over 90% of Argentine households.
What do Argentines drink in the morning? ›Yerba mate is Argentina's official national drink and the country's second most-consumed beverage after water. Across Argentina, people have mate on the mind when they place the kettle on the stove first thing in the morning. A good day in Argentina starts with the birdsong and a mate.
What is the rarest grape? ›Caberlot. The rarest grape variety in the world, there are only 2 hectares of this variety grown today, a genetic cross between Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is truly unique as you can only find this grape in one estate in Tuscany; so far, they have not been willing to share their prize with anyone.
What grape is mucho mas? ›
It is made with Garnacha, Bobal and Tempranillo grapes. It is fresh and sweet at the same time.
What is the history of Argentina wines? ›The history of Argentine wine dates back to the 16th century and the time of the Spanish conquest. The first vines were planted at that time from stock brought on ships from Spain and were the mainstay until noble European varieties were introduced in the mid-19th century.