The Terroir and Regions of Mendoza, Argentina

Despite the vast expanse of wine producing country in Argentina, Mendoza still accounts for over 75% of all the country’s wine production. Wine legends reining from all over the world have descended on this terrior haven and nursed some of the most troublesome grapes, like Malbec, to trophy-worthy quality.

 There are 5 main sub-regions in Mendoza. San Rafael and San Martin, are historically important.  San Rafael was awarded DOC status in 1993. However, nowadays, Lujan De Cujo, Maipu and Valle de Uco represent most of the status associated with the growing wine industry in Argentina.

To the West, Lujan De Cujo is the most prestigious region in Mendoza and boasts the ‘best Malbec in Argentina’ most accredited in a sub-region by the name of Perdriel (Perdriel is actually where several of the Carinae Grand Reserve wines come from which is one of the reasons they are so outstanding). Perdriel was the first Argentine region to attain an AOC and is believed to be the origin of the wine movement in Argentina. The alluvial soils make a perfect sandy and stony composition atop of clay substrata with vineyards reaching over 3200 feet above sea level.  Lujan De Cujo is home to some of the most famous winemakers, namely; Vina Cobos (ran by Paul Hobbs), Tapiz, Terrazas de los Andes and our personal favourite at Anuva, Carinae.

Maipu, southeast of Mendoza city, not only bodes well for the typical red grapes of Argentina (Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet, Syrah) but also works with a lot of white grapes, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin, Torrontes and Viogner. Bodegas like Trapiche, Finca Flichmann and Lopez found their homes here.

Finally to the South, Valle De Uco or the Uco Valley is an up and coming region. Altitudes nearly reaching 4000 feet and situated on the Tunuyan river, it has very dry conditions and wide thermal amplitude between night and day creating a very distinctive microclimate. Therefore the area has become very important for grape varietals like Bonarda and Barbera, Semillon and Malbec. The wineries comprise of Salentein, O.Fournier, La Azul and many more taking advantage of the unique and lucrative terrior.