Regardless of the method, experience or love put in from a winemaker, It is indisputable that the terroir of a land is one of the highest variable factors in the outcome of a wine. Terroir is a french term usually used when referring to the growing conditions of wine, tea, tomatoes, wheat or coffee. This concept is the root of the ‘AOC’ appellation and the wine laws around the world. This term can include many things from; climate (yearly, monthly and daily), land slope, soil profile, wind conditions, strength of light and altitude of the hills. An example of how terroir in Argentina affects grapes is shown with Torrontes. This white wine does very well in the high altitudes of Salta, but would not do so well in Spain.
But even before the french, there did exist a system to associate wine with region. The ancient Greeks would stamp amphorae containers with a seal of region the wine came from. Soon, each winery grew its own reputation. The Burgundy vineyards were considered those literate or elite in the wine world!
Being the home to beautiful Terroir is the main reason why Argentina thrives so well in the production of wine. It has very hot and dry areas that cool down drastically at night, almost like the desert does! The Andes mountains running vertically down the country block major hail and rain storms that come over from Chile. However, the most famous aspect of Argentine terroir are the altitudes in Salta where you can find the highest vineyards in the world.
Salta is a province located in the northwest of Argentina. It shares a northern frontera with Bolivia and Paraguay with Chile on the east. It is a region with high mountainous terrain, which serves in more ways than one when it comes to winemaking.
The sand is dry, above a clay base. The most prominent wine area in the province is Cafayate with an average height of 1,700m above sea level. Some vineyards in Salta reach an incredible 3000m above sea level. For a good reference, the highest vineyards in Australia only reach up to 1320m and California 1000m. Beautiful sun is abundant here with over 300 sunny days a year. Because of this, the soil type is desert-like and sandy. This means that the pure water runoff from the Andes makes the soil drier and more fertile for grape vines. Additionally, the soil is permeable with helps the water drain out. Making it a much more difficult habitat for fungi, rot and vine pests. This is a great benefit for vintners as many vineyards in the more southern regions of Argentina lose a fair number of their plantation due to soaking or diseases.
Along with the high summer and low winter climates, Salta has a very high diurnal shift. This is a term that refers to the difference between the temperature of night and day. The hot days and cold nights are said to give the grapes the chance to ripen while retaining acidity. Temperatures vary from 35 degrees celsius (100F) during the day, and can drop to as low as 12 degrees celsius at night (55F).
The first planted grape in Salta came from Peru, which originated from Spain. The wines made in Salta include Malbec, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon with whites such as the Torrontes (second flagship wine of Argentina following the Malbec) and Chardonnay. The Mabecs grown in Salta are generally a lot fuller and more complex than those grown at a lower altitude. There are over 2000 hectares in Salta residing in Cafayate, Angastaco, San Carlos and Molinos.
The terroir of Salta not only benefits the wine culture. Many tourists go yearly to see the salt planes and ‘Tren de Las Nubes’ train line. All in all, the terroir is the lucky card for Salta in many ways!