The second largest country in South America, after Brazil; the largest producer of wine in the Southern Hemisphere and number five in the world they produce four times as much wine as Chile. Almost all of Argentina’s wine production had been consumed locally making export sales unnecessary. That has changed as domestic consumption has fallen by almost 50%. Argentinean vineyards have much higher yields than their Chilean counterparts and that had hurt their quality image. They have begun replanting vineyards with quality grapes and although no winery commands the presence in the US that Concha Y Toro does, they have attempted fairly successfully to promote Argentinean wines as a country.
Vines were first planted in Argentina in 1556 and the arrival in the late 19th century of Italian, Spanish and French immigrants jump started the industry. Bad military and democratic governments were used to protect inefficient and poor quality producers. A stable government and peso have brought the industry into the 21st century. 2/3 of all wines are produced in the Mendoza region which at 60,000 square miles may be the largest wine region in the world. Park Hyatt was my hotel of choice. On the Chilean border (only 100 miles from Santiago by air but a 10 hour bus ride) with the Andes Mountains between them these high altitude temperate climate areas are warm by day, cool at night and desert dry. Here Malbec is king. (with the white grape Torrontes queen). Known as a blending grape in Bordeaux or the “black wine” of Cahors it is the ultimate steakhouse table pleaser with lush flavors and a minimum of bitter tannins. .
Visited- Catena Zapata (also owns Alamos & Weinert), Lurton (Bordeaux family is also in Chile), Navarro Correas, Achaval-Ferrer, Terrazas (owned by Moet Hennessy), Norton, La Rural, Salentein, O.Fournier & Familia Zuccardi. Argentina is half-way between two wine worlds. The French-style “Old World” where they sell the wines they make and the Australian “New World” where they make the wines they sell.
More Information-
www.promendoza.com www.mendoza.park.hyatt.com
www.aerolineas.com
CHILE- Has been considered the premier producer of quality wines with Concha Y Toro once the largest selling import brand in the US (pre Yellow Tail). The phylloxera louse never plagued the vineyards and Chile’s ungrafted vines are often twice as old as those in California and France. The Andes Mountains divide Chile from Argentina and they supply favorable air currents, drainage and sources of water from the melting snow. Most wines are made in areas north and west around Santiago (Casablanca for white wines & the Maipo Valley) and along the route two hours south (Santa Cruz & the Rapel Valley). San Cristobal Tower in Santiago was a superb hotel choice. Santiago Adventures acted as my guide and driver for all my winery visits.
Vinifera vines came to Chile in 1523 courtesy of the Spanish explorer Cortes. Chile is 2,800 miles long and only 96 miles wide with the 23,000 foot high Mt. Aconcagua (also the name of one of the best wine region) the tallest peak in the Western Hemisphere. The fresh breezes of the Pacific Ocean strike the high mountain and are perfect for the production of all fruits (grapes, peaches, strawberries, melons and pears). Sunshine is abundant and temperature variability has hot sunny summers (spring frost is rare) with cool afternoon and evening breezes that blow from the Pacific and the Andes. “Today Chile is the most advanced, most efficient vitivinicultural country in South America”. There are reasonably interest rates, good highways and telecommunication services, as well as an experienced work force with labor laws and union rights. Many young and talented European, Australian and American winemakers are anxious to work in Chile.
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