wineandfoodtube (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} wineandfoodtube) wrote in ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} wine,@ 2008-08-11 12:22:00 |
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Wines of Argentina
Most people think of Chilean wines when South Americas mentioned. Few realize that Argentina's the fifth largest wine producer in the world.
And there are some fantastically good Argentinean wines. The French winemakers Moet & Chandon have a large winery, Bodega Chandon, in Argentina.It produces under the labels of Comte Valmont, Comte Beltour and Clos duMoulin, their top wine. Other producers are Bodega Bianchi, Bodega Torino,Bodega Lopez, Bodego Suter and Bodego Toso. They all make very good reds and quite acceptable whites.
The main reason why Argentine wines are only just beginning to appear on international markets is that, with an average wine consumption of around 60 liters per head annually. Argentinean’s say that it is hard to find a really bad local red wine in the 'vino de mesa' and 'vino fino' category’s and international experts agree with this.
In Argentina the same basic rule applies as in Europe -- a varietal red wine (vino tinto) has to contain a minimum of 80% of the grape named. White wines must be made totally from the grape named on the bottle. Blends are prohibited unless clearly stated on the label.
The most popular grape varieties grown in Argentina are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, and Malbec. Most of the better Argentine wines come from the province of Mendoza, desert flatlands in the foot hills of the Andes that are irrigated from melting snow. While the grape varieties are European, the weather and soil conditions give the Argentine wines a very special quality. Saint Felicien, a superb Cabernet Sauvignon in numbered bottles from Mendoza would rate highly at any dinner table and is another one that you should defiantly try.
Most people think of Chilean wines when South Americas mentioned. Few realize that Argentina's the fifth largest wine producer in the world.
And there are some fantastically good Argentinean wines. The French winemakers Moet & Chandon have a large winery, Bodega Chandon, in Argentina.It produces under the labels of Comte Valmont, Comte Beltour and Clos duMoulin, their top wine. Other producers are Bodega Bianchi, Bodega Torino,Bodega Lopez, Bodego Suter and Bodego Toso. They all make very good reds and quite acceptable whites.
The main reason why Argentine wines are only just beginning to appear on international markets is that, with an average wine consumption of around 60 liters per head annually. Argentinean’s say that it is hard to find a really bad local red wine in the 'vino de mesa' and 'vino fino' category’s and international experts agree with this.
In Argentina the same basic rule applies as in Europe -- a varietal red wine (vino tinto) has to contain a minimum of 80% of the grape named. White wines must be made totally from the grape named on the bottle. Blends are prohibited unless clearly stated on the label.
The most popular grape varieties grown in Argentina are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, and Malbec. Most of the better Argentine wines come from the province of Mendoza, desert flatlands in the foot hills of the Andes that are irrigated from melting snow. While the grape varieties are European, the weather and soil conditions give the Argentine wines a very special quality. Saint Felicien, a superb Cabernet Sauvignon in numbered bottles from Mendoza would rate highly at any dinner table and is another one that you should defiantly try.
