Although Argentina is considered the "new world", its wine tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the time of Spanish colonization, in the 16th century and then by Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been part of the country's culture.
Over the past 20 years, the country's wine producers have increased quality levels and managed to consolidate an international export market. No wine-producing country in the world has made more progress in the last years of the 20th century (on the viticultural and oenological level, if not necessarily financially). Argentina has now become the fifth largest wine producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain and the United States.
Argentina is one of the most important wine-producing countries in the New World, and the largest wine producer in South America. The high-altitude deserts of the eastern Andes have given rise to a high-quality wine industry, and the terroir here is well suited to Argentina's adopted grape variety, the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, he is today responsible for some of the most famous Argentinian wines, which are characterized by their brightness and intensity, with floral notes and dark fruit flavors. Other red varieties produced in Argentina are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir. Among white wines, the emblematic grape variety of the Argentine wine region is Torrontés, which gives a wine with a floral and tropical taste. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.
Today, Argentinian wines are recognized throughout the world for their full-bodied reds and as high quality wines.
