ARGENTINA
WINES
READING
BETWEEN THE WINES:
As
the number five wine producer in the world, Argentina is
rushing to the forefront of the international wine scene.
Even though the country has only been exporting since the
early 90s (and not really well until the success of the
‘96 vintage), it’s made quite a kerplunk on
the market.
While
known mostly for its soft and fragrant native white Torrontés
and its signature version of the originally French and zealously
red Malbec, Argentina is busting out beautiful Old World
varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
THE
REGION
The Argentine wine region covers the warm westernmost area
of the expansive South American country. The major regions
are the Andean North West (includes La Rioja and Salta),
Cuyo (widely known and adored as Mendoza), and the Southern
Region.
THE GRAPES
The top grapes used in Argentina are as follows:
| Red
Grapes |
White
Grapes |
| Malbec
|
Torrontés |
| Cabernet
Sauvignon |
Chardonnay |
| Merlot |
Sauvignon
Blanc |
ARGENTINE
REDS:
Malbec
The Malbec, the celebrity of reds in Argentina, is a mild
grape with low acidity. Its juice fashions full-bodied,
moderately tannic wines with dried fruit and plum overtones.
Cabernet
Sauvignon
A red for those with big, bold wine aspirations, the Cabernet
Sauvignon from Argentina hits the palate with notes of berries,
spices, and even green peppers.
Merlot
Always a smooth red favorite, Merlot grapes contribute the
well-balanced and fruity or oaky wines from Argentina.
ARGENTINE
WHITES:
Torrontés
The Torrontés, the celebrity white grape of Argentina,
struts some fresh, light whites with big bouquets. These
wines hum with floral aromas and raisin and tropical fruit
flavors.
Chardonnay
The oh-so-popular and wide-ranging Chardonnay shows her
stuff in Argentina — displaying styles from the light
and fruity to complex and well cellared.
Sauvignon
Blanc
The Sauvignon Blanc wines come off herbally, citrusy, often
smoky — and always with a little bada-bing zing. Argentine
Sauvignon Blancs are fine whites with much potential.
CHOOSING
AN ARGENTINE WINE
Various
Argentine Producers
| Achával-Ferrer |
Alamos
Ridge |
| Altos
de Madrano |
Bodega
Catena Zapata |
| Bodega
Norton Reserva |
Bodega
Norton Privada |
| Bodegas
Escorihuela |
Bodegas
Lurton (Malbec-Tempranillo) |
| Caballero
de la Cepa |
Cheval
des Andes |
| Dominio
del Plata |
Etchart
|
| Fabre
Montmayou Grand Vin |
Finca
Flichman |
| Hans
Lang |
Luigi
Bosea |
| Navarro
Correas |
Navarro
Correas Colección Privada |
| Nicolas
Fazio |
Nieto
y Sentiner Cadus |
| Pascual
Toso |
San
Telmo |
| Trapiche
(Oak Cask) |
Trapiche
(Merlot Medalla) |
| Tikal |
Ulrich
Langguth |
| Weinert |
|
References
www.epicurious.com
www.tastings.com
www.welcomeargentina.com
www.winemag.com
www.winesofargentina.com
|
