Argentinian Wine

Argentinian Wines from Great Wines Direct

The 5^th biggest wine producer worldwide, Argentina has been making fine wines since the16th century. Argentinian wines have their origins in Spain, with vine cuttings having been brought to South America during the Spanish colonisation. In the past, Argentine winemakers had a lot more interest in producing in quality rather than quality, however during the 1990s, the lucrative possibilities of the export market promoted an improvement in the quality of the wines being produced with the result that Argentina is now South America’s most prevalent wine exporter.

Argentina’s key wine regions include the provinces of La Rioja, San Juan, Rio Negro, Salta, Catamarca and Mendoza. The southern Buenos Aires region has also recently begun producing wine, however over half of the country’s production comes from the Mendoza Province. One of the main reasons why Argentina produces so much wine is because of the low humidity and high altitudes of the country’s primary wine producing areas, since they face very few problems with mould, fungi, insects and grape diseases which so often affect vineyards. This means that there is rarely any need for pesticides so organic wines are easily produced.

Argentinian wine producers grow a number of grape varieties which reflect the immigrant groups of the country. Malbec grapes were brought by the French, and are used in the making of most of the best known wines from this country. Bonarda vines were brought by the Italians and Torrontes grapes were indigenous to Argentina, being mainly found in San Juan, Salta and La Rioja. This grape produces aromatic white wines which have a delicious flavour. Other international grape varieties such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are now being planted in the country, although they are not widespread yet.

Wine is so popular as a drink in Argentina that the government actually declared it to be the country’s national drink in 2010.

Our blog explores more about Argentinian wine

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White 13.5

Terrazas Selection Chardonnay 2023 75cl £22.07

Beautifully balanced Argentinian Chardonnay, packed with white peach, pear and pineapple, the nose a toasty bouquet of hazelnut, vanilla, brioche and a breath of white roses

White 12.5

Black River Sauv Bl 24 Humberto Canale 75cl £11.22

Red 14

Per Se Inseparable 2020 75cl £47.33

The wine is fresh, pure and supple with juicy red cherry and plum fruit on the nose It s very bright and elegant in the mouth with fresh fruit with a bit of crunch on the finish From the high quality district of Gualtallary within Mendoza's Uco Valley, this is made in small quantities with low-intervention winemaking Fermented in concrete tanks with gentle skin extraction using the submerged cap method, and then aged 12 months in the same tanks Bottled without fining or filtration

Red 15

Lupa Wines Malbec 2019 75cl £40.90

Red 14.5

Andeluna 'Pasionado', Uco Valley, Cabernet Franc 2021 75cl £44.03

A very refined and perfumed wine showing a lovely combination of coffee beans, capsicum and notes of graphite and fennel with a full, long herbal finish

Red 13.5

Andeluna '1300', Uco Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 75cl £17.02

Showing lovely cool climate Cabernet typicity of cassis combined with coffee and a fresh hint of bell pepper on the finish

White 12.5

Matias Riccitelli 'Old Vines From Patagonia', Rio Negro, Semillon 2023 75cl £49.68

Complex and intense, this Semillon has funky notes of pineapple and orange blossom over a waxy, rich and nutty flavour which goes on for ever

Red 14

Trapiche Estacion 1883 Cabernet Franc 2022 75cl £12.12

This Cabernet Franc has aromas of dark fruits such as blueberries and blackcurrants with hints of white pepper It is smooth on the palate with soft tannins and a long lingering finish

Red 13.5

Bodega Ribera del Cuarzo Ribera del Cuarzo Clasico 2022 75cl £34.22

Ribera del Cuarzo Clasico is all precision and finesse - a pure note of blue-black fruit, sweet cream and rising dough fills the room in which a glass is poured Closer in are green pinecones, sticky with sap, burstingly juicy cherries, vivid purple bilberries, and fat clusters of blue-bloomed black grapes With evocative violet character, and hints of liquorice and cedary pencil shavings, this has a restraint that echoes cru classe Medoc Bordeaux: an impression underscored by its lithe, fine-boned structure An exquisite wine, this will impress now and should develop beautifully with bottle age This is the produce of eight vineyards, which together showcase the diversity of the classic area of the Rio Negro valley

White 13.5

Bodegas Verum Soul D Chardonnay 2020 75cl £25.63

A rich, full-bodied Chardonnay made in Alto Valle del Rio Negro, Patagonia by genius winemaker, Elias Lopez The vines were planted in 2002, and at 39˚ South, the climate is cool: leading to vibrant citrus flavours, and 11 months' ageing in 500 litre barrels brings additional nuances of vanilla, butter and caramel

White 13

Chardonnay 21 Chacra 75cl £97.69

Red 15.5

Private Selection 18 Alpasion 75cl £37.42

White 14

Piattelli Vineyards 'Alto Molino', Cafayate, Torrontes 2023 75cl £15.26

Vibrant aromas of elderflower cordial and rose petals combined with fresh lime flavours and a delicate hint of ginger spice on the finish

Red 14.5

Malbec 22 Alpasion 75cl £17.36

Red 14

La Mascota 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, La Mascota 2022 75cl £11.98

Deep red colour with hints of violet Aromas of liquorice, cassis and warm raspberry jam The palate is full bodied, complex and long with an elegant touch of roasted pepper and chocolate

Red 14.5

Susana Balbo BenMarco Malbec 2022 75cl £19.31

Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir Its sandy and rocky loam soil guarantees good permeability, limits the growth of the plant and ensures perfect ripening BenMarco Malbec is a testimony of Valle de Uco, endowed with aromas of black berries, notes of violets, pronounced acidity, firm tannins and great length