Argentina
One of the most significant new world wine countries, Argentina is the ninth largest wine producer in the world. Bordered to the west by the mighty Andes, wine regions run 1,600 kilometres north to south, from the high altitude vineyards of Salta to the pampas of Patagonia, passing through Mendoza, San Juan and La Rioja. Wine has been produced in Argentina since the 1500s, but it was after the 1885 opening of the railway between Buenos Aires and Mendoza that the industry was able to show its potential to the world.
Originally a Bordeaux staple, Malbec has been successfully adopted by Argentina and the dark-fruited, inky, intense red wines that the grape produces are now symbolic of Argentinean wine. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon have a history of production for export quality wine, while floral Torrontes has become known as Argentina's white grape. Bonarda, the third-most planted variety, and long used only for domestic consumption, has also shown its export potential with approachable, fruit-driven varietal wines.
