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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Red 13.5

Andeluna '1300', Uco Valley, Malbec 2023 Magnum 150cl £32.93

Rich ripe black plummy fruit on the nose complemented by a generous and silky texture and more than a hint of sous bois and vanilla on the finish

Red 14

Old Vine Pinot Noir 23 Humb Canale 75cl £17.17

Red 13.5

Andeluna '1300', Uco Valley, Malbec 2023 75cl £17.02

Rich ripe black plummy fruit on the nose complemented by a generous and silky texture and more than a hint of sous bois and vanilla on the finish

Red 13.5

El Esteco Cuma Organic Malbec 2024 75cl £10.34

Made with organically grown grapes, this savoury red wine is a thrilling mix of dark, brooding fruit and fragrant, punchy spice Cuma is a project born in 2005 with the objective to develop agriculture and winemaking in harmony with the environment and the culture Meaning pure and clean in the language of the Aymara, Cuma expresses a commitment to continue with the legacy of the indigenous peoples and to preserve the environment for future generations

Red 13.5

Oak Cask Black Edition Malbec 23 Trapiche 75cl £10.75

Rose 11.5

Reserva Rose 24 La Celia 75cl £10.70

White 11.5

Reserva Chardonnay 23 La Celia 75cl £9.67

Red 13

Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 22 La Celia 75cl £9.67

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 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 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

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