Argentinian wines have become a phenomenon in the UK market over the past few decades. Their popularity is not just about high quality and exceptional value for money but undoubtedly about the journey they take your taste buds on. This article explains why Argentinian wines have become popular in the UK. It's a journey into their unique flavour profiles and exploring the various wine regions that contribute to their distinct characteristics.
Quality and Value
Argentine wines offer excellent quality at affordable prices. The country's favourable climate and advanced winemaking techniques produce wines that compete with higher-priced offerings from other regions. What we love about Argentina are the excellent wines you can find at the entry level, all the way up to the spectacular single-vineyard wines from Zuccardi and other seriously minded producers.
Unique Terroir
Argentina's diverse geography, particularly the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza, imparts unique wine characteristics. The combination of altitude, soil, and climate creates wines with intense flavours and balanced acidity. Mendoza contains wine regions ranging from Winkler Index 1 (the coolest) to 5 (the warmest), allowing many grape varieties to thrive in this province.
Malbec's Rise
Malbec, Argentina's flagship grape, has gained international acclaim. Its rich, velvety texture and bold fruit flavours have captivated UK wine drinkers, making it a go-to choice for red wine enthusiasts.
What is most impressive about these wines is their ability to produce likeable, rich wines at all price levels whilst being food-friendly and offering a unique identity. When you buy a bottle of Argentinian Malbec, you know exactly what you will get.
Argentina's Food & Wine Culture
Argentinian wines have a cultural appeal that goes beyond their taste. They are a part of Argentina's vibrant culture and cuisine, often paired with grilled meats and other traditional dishes. This cultural connection enhances their appeal to UK consumers who enjoy robust, flavourful foods, making them feel a part of a global culinary experience. Witness the rise of Argentinian cuisine in the UK with the incredible popularity of Gaucho Grill and many other fine establishments.
The Taste Profiles of Argentinian Wines
Argentinian wines are known for their rich and diverse flavour profiles. Here are some key characteristics:
Malbec
The most famous Argentine varietal Malbec wines are typically deep purple with intense aromas of blackberries, plums, and black cherries. They often feature chocolate, tobacco, and vanilla notes with a velvety texture and smooth tannins.
Malbec accounts for 24% of Argentina's vineyards. 84% of this variety's plantings are in the province of Mendoza, but it is worth exploring other regions.
Torrontés
Argentina's signature white grape, Torrontés, produces aromatic wines with floral and fruity notes. There are three variants of Torrontés in Argentina, but all share similar characteristics. Typical flavours include peach, apricot, and citrus, often with refreshing acidity.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Argentine Cabernet Sauvignons are known for their bold blackcurrant, cherry, and red pepper flavours, with a firm tannic structure and a hint of spiciness.
Syrah
This variety offers flavours of dark fruits, such as blackberry and plum, along with peppery and smoky notes. Argentine Syrah tends to be full-bodied with a rich, robust character.
70% of Argentina's Syrah is found in Mendoza but is also grown in the country's northernmost province of Jujuy, additionally as far south as Rio Negro.
Bonarda
A lesser-known but increasingly popular varietal, Bonarda wines feature flavours of red and black fruits with a hint of earthiness and a smooth finish. Bonarda is Argentina's 2nd most widely planted black variety, after Malbec. This variety is unrelated to the similarly named variety from Italy
Chardonnay
Argentine Chardonnays can range from crisp and citrusy to rich and buttery, depending on the winemaking style. Typical flavours include apple, pear, and tropical fruits, often with a touch of minerality.
Cabernet Franc
Despite being less than 1% of Argentina's vineyards, Cabernet Franc is proving to be increasingly successful, particularly in the higher elevation sites in Mendoza. The freshness of these sites is suited to cool-climate varieties like Cabernet Franc. For us this is the variety with the highest potential, next to Malbec
Key Wine Regions in Argentina
Argentina's wine regions are diverse, each contributing unique characteristics to the wines produced. The most notable areas include:
Mendoza
The heart of Argentina's wine industry, Mendoza accounts for nearly 75% of the country's wine production. The region's high-altitude vineyards produce exceptional Malbecs and other varietals, particularly in the Uco Valley, Luján de Cuyo, and Maipú. The altitude provides intense sunlight and cool nights, producing grapes with balanced acidity and concentrated flavours.
Salta
Known for its extreme altitudes and vineyards up to 3,000 meters above sea level, Salta produces some of the world's highest-altitude wines. Torrontés thrives here, offering intense aromatics and crisp acidity. The region also produces robust Malbecs and Cabernet Sauvignons.
Río Negro
This southern region is characterized by cooler temperatures and a longer growing season. Rio Negro in Patagonia produces elegant and aromatic wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Merlot. The region's Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also gaining recognition for their crisp, fresh profiles.