Red Varieties from Argentina
Argentina has been making wine since the 1500s, tracing its wine heritage back to Spain, France and, perhaps surprisingly, Italy.
Cavernet Sauvignon
Due to its great capacity of adaptation to all kinds of weather, Cabernet Sauvignon is considered the king of red varieties. Its grape, native from Burdeaux, France, produces a wine with remarkable acidity, rough and with a strong presence of tannins. Once matured, it turns out to be a tasty wine with full body. It has intense colors and a complex aroma of fruit, truffles, coffee, green peppers and cassis.
It often benefits from being aged for several years.
In our country, it is grown along the entire wine route. It is ideal to accompany meat, stews, pasta and desserts.
Cluster: loose though compact, bluish black and conical in shape.
Grapes: small, with thick skin, round, black and juicy.
Ripeness: late, ideal for temperate areas with a soft autumn season.
Malbec
Originally grown in the Southeast of France, this grape has turned into the premier wine from Argentina, where it has found the most propitious ecological features for its development. Argentinian malbec has become worldwide known and has been awarded well-deserved medals in enological contests. It acquires different features according to the weather and soil conditions where it is grown. In the area of Maipú, Mendoza, it reaches its highest development, surpassing other regions in the country. It produces wines of pleasant taste, medium body with certain earthy notes and an intense purple color. Of vigorous texture and taste, it has a touch of rusticity in the palate. Cluster: mid-sized and quite loose. Grapes: Spherical, small or medium-sized, bluish black in color, thin skin and soft pulp. Ripeness: first late season.
Tempranillo
This grape was originally grown in Spain, in the area of Rioja. Tempranillo is one of the most widespread varieties in Argentina; however, it had not been used in the making of fine wines until recently. International demand forced winemakers to rediscover the potential of this grape.
It produces wines of medium alcoholic content, well-balanced, aromatic and suitable for aging in wooden casks. With a frank palate, this wine has a velvety taste when aged. It has notes of wild fruit, black plums, cherries and raspberries.
Cluster: medium-sized, compact and elongated.
Grapes: they present moderate size, round shape and normal to hard skin. They are intensely black.
Syrah
Its origin is quite controversial and has not been defined yet. The most widespread version asserts this grape was originally grown in Shiraz, Persia and that it is 3,000 years old. It is said that it was introduced in Europe through the Sicilian port of Siracusa. Another version about its origin assures it comes from Southern France.
The truth is that Syrah is strongly tannic and suitable for long aging in wood. This vine of intense aroma, solid and austere, is reminiscent of spices such as cloves, cinnamon and pepper, fruit like raspberries, wildberries and figs and a touch of dark chocolate. Light and fresh, it has a silky texture and has a long aftertaste.
In our country, this variety is gaining remarkable acceptance in the Province of San Juan. It combines perfectly with matured cheese, pasta with red sauce, meat, stew and pizza.
Cluster: mid-sized to small, compact, with cylindrical shape.
Grapes: Elliptical bluish black grains. Thin but resistant skin. Juicy and pleasant pulp.
Ripeness: medium maturity.
Merlot
Genetically related to Cabernet Sauvignon, although they do not feature the same capacity of adaptation, this grape was also originally grown in the Southwest of France.
As a varietal, Merlot develops well in Alto Valle, in the Province of RÃo Negro, Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, and Cruz de Piedra in Mendoza and in the Pedernal Valley in San Juan and it has given very good results in Patagonia.
It is generally used as a blend in the making of Cabernet Sauvignon, to which it provides a soft touch of roundness to harmonize its harshness.
This grape produces sophisticated, elegant and round wines of full body. Notes of fruit -plums and morello cherries-, roses, spices, black pepper and cinnamon are present in its taste. The wine presents violet and red tinges whereas its brightness is not too intense.
Cluster: compact, bluish black, with conical shape.
Grapes: thin skin, round and black
Ripeness: early
Pinot Noir
This is one of the grapes that make up the blend of most French champagne. Originally grown in the area of Bourgogne, France, Pinot Noir produces extremely soft, fresh and fruity wines, with a very good bouquet, an acidity that makes it quite vivid and persistent in the palate without being aggressive. Besides, its color is pale though attractive, varying from a soft red when it is young to an orange shade after having been aged from 8 to 10 years. As this grape requires cold weather to manage good results, in our country, very good products are being obtained in the Valley of Uco in Mendoza and in the Valley of the Neuquén River in Patagonia. This wine is exported or used to make sparkling wines. Cluster: medium, compact and elongated Grapes: small, slightly ovoid. They have soft thin skin and much coloring matter. Ripeness: requires long maturation in fresh weather
Cavernet Sauvignon
Due to its great capacity of adaptation to all kinds of weather, Cabernet Sauvignon is considered the king of red varieties. Its grape, native from Burdeaux, France, produces a wine with remarkable acidity, rough and with a strong presence of tannins. Once matured, it turns out to be a tasty wine with full body. It has intense colors and a complex aroma of fruit, truffles, coffee, green peppers and cassis.
It often benefits from being aged for several years.
In our country, it is grown along the entire wine route. It is ideal to accompany meat, stews, pasta and desserts.
Cluster: loose though compact, bluish black and conical in shape.
Grapes: small, with thick skin, round, black and juicy.
Ripeness: late, ideal for temperate areas with a soft autumn season.
Malbec
Originally grown in the Southeast of France, this grape has turned into the premier wine from Argentina, where it has found the most propitious ecological features for its development. Argentinian malbec has become worldwide known and has been awarded well-deserved medals in enological contests. It acquires different features according to the weather and soil conditions where it is grown. In the area of Maipú, Mendoza, it reaches its highest development, surpassing other regions in the country. It produces wines of pleasant taste, medium body with certain earthy notes and an intense purple color. Of vigorous texture and taste, it has a touch of rusticity in the palate. Cluster: mid-sized and quite loose. Grapes: Spherical, small or medium-sized, bluish black in color, thin skin and soft pulp. Ripeness: first late season.
Tempranillo
This grape was originally grown in Spain, in the area of Rioja. Tempranillo is one of the most widespread varieties in Argentina; however, it had not been used in the making of fine wines until recently. International demand forced winemakers to rediscover the potential of this grape.
It produces wines of medium alcoholic content, well-balanced, aromatic and suitable for aging in wooden casks. With a frank palate, this wine has a velvety taste when aged. It has notes of wild fruit, black plums, cherries and raspberries.
Cluster: medium-sized, compact and elongated.
Grapes: they present moderate size, round shape and normal to hard skin. They are intensely black.
Syrah
Its origin is quite controversial and has not been defined yet. The most widespread version asserts this grape was originally grown in Shiraz, Persia and that it is 3,000 years old. It is said that it was introduced in Europe through the Sicilian port of Siracusa. Another version about its origin assures it comes from Southern France.
The truth is that Syrah is strongly tannic and suitable for long aging in wood. This vine of intense aroma, solid and austere, is reminiscent of spices such as cloves, cinnamon and pepper, fruit like raspberries, wildberries and figs and a touch of dark chocolate. Light and fresh, it has a silky texture and has a long aftertaste.
In our country, this variety is gaining remarkable acceptance in the Province of San Juan. It combines perfectly with matured cheese, pasta with red sauce, meat, stew and pizza.
Cluster: mid-sized to small, compact, with cylindrical shape.
Grapes: Elliptical bluish black grains. Thin but resistant skin. Juicy and pleasant pulp.
Ripeness: medium maturity.
Merlot
Genetically related to Cabernet Sauvignon, although they do not feature the same capacity of adaptation, this grape was also originally grown in the Southwest of France.
As a varietal, Merlot develops well in Alto Valle, in the Province of RÃo Negro, Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, and Cruz de Piedra in Mendoza and in the Pedernal Valley in San Juan and it has given very good results in Patagonia.
It is generally used as a blend in the making of Cabernet Sauvignon, to which it provides a soft touch of roundness to harmonize its harshness.
This grape produces sophisticated, elegant and round wines of full body. Notes of fruit -plums and morello cherries-, roses, spices, black pepper and cinnamon are present in its taste. The wine presents violet and red tinges whereas its brightness is not too intense.
Cluster: compact, bluish black, with conical shape.
Grapes: thin skin, round and black
Ripeness: early
Pinot Noir
This is one of the grapes that make up the blend of most French champagne. Originally grown in the area of Bourgogne, France, Pinot Noir produces extremely soft, fresh and fruity wines, with a very good bouquet, an acidity that makes it quite vivid and persistent in the palate without being aggressive. Besides, its color is pale though attractive, varying from a soft red when it is young to an orange shade after having been aged from 8 to 10 years. As this grape requires cold weather to manage good results, in our country, very good products are being obtained in the Valley of Uco in Mendoza and in the Valley of the Neuquén River in Patagonia. This wine is exported or used to make sparkling wines. Cluster: medium, compact and elongated Grapes: small, slightly ovoid. They have soft thin skin and much coloring matter. Ripeness: requires long maturation in fresh weather
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