Vineyards in Argentina against the backdrop of the Andes

Stories of the wine-growing countries · Argentina

Wines from Argentina

Since Argentina has focused on quality rather than quantity, its wines have been finding their way onto more and more wine shelves.

Argentina cultivates wine on around 205,000 hectares: about 45 percent red, 25 percent white and 30 percent pink grape varieties. The best-known variety is Malbec, mostly from Mendoza; the beginnings of winegrowing date back to the 16th century and build on the Incas' irrigation systems.

Vineyard area: approx. 205,000 ha
Breakdown: 45% red, 25% white, 30% rosé varieties
Leading variety: Malbec (Mendoza)
Winegrowing since: 16th century, based on Inca irrigation

01/Argentina

The History of Wine in Argentina

Winegrowing in Argentina began in the 16th century. The Incas laid the foundation with efficient irrigation systems: only this way could the soils be adequately supplied with water. European settlers planted the first wine, initially only for their own needs.

In the mid-19th century, Leopoldo Cruz brought more than 600 different grape varieties into the country and grew them successfully. It was only some 100 years later that Argentina began exporting its wine.

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Winegrowing Today

When the winemakers recognised that quality pays off, they switched to high-trellis cultivation with wire-frame training: yields are lower, but the vines grow better and are protected from pests. The steadily growing demand for Argentine wines shows that the effort is worthwhile.

03/Grape varieties