The most important and, with 144,000 hectares of vineyards, also by far the largest wine-growing region in Argentina. The winegrowing pioneer Don Tiburcio Benegas (1844-1910) was governor of this province. Around 75% of Argentina's wine is produced here. It is located in the far west of the country at the foot of the Andes and stretches from Lavalle in the north for 300 kilometres to San Rafael in the south. The climate is continental, mild and dry with clear seasons and medium humidity. The soils are mostly stony subsoil with a limestone-rich top layer of sand, clay or loam. This creates excellent conditions for quality viticulture. The vineyards are situated at an altitude of 500 to 1,200 metres above sea level. About half of the vineyard area is planted with the indigenous varieties Cereza, Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica (Listán Prieto).
Of these, light red or white wines (Vino de Mesa), RCGM and also table grapes are produced for mass consumption. The other half is made up equally of red and white quality wine grape varieties (see Argentina). A special Argentinean feature are the vines, some of which are already very old. The region is divided into five large areas, which are located like oases near rivers that supply half of the water needed for the indispensable artificial irrigation of the vineyards. For four to five months of the year there is no rain at all, but relatively frequent hail. The other half is pumped from a total of 17,000 wells from a depth of up to over 100 metres.
The region is divided into five areas, which are like oases near rivers that supply half of the water necessary for the indispensable artificial irrigation of the vineyards. For four to five months of the year there is no rain at all, but relatively frequent hail. The other half is pumped from 17,000 wells from depths of up to over 100 metres. The areas are Norte Mendocino (Guaymallén, Las Heras, Lavelle, part of Maipú, San Martin), Río Mendoza or Alta del Río Mendoza (Agrelo, Anchoris, Barrancas, Carrizal, Carrodillas, Coquimbito, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, Lunlunta, main part of Maipú, Mayor Drummond, Perdriel, Ugarteche, Vistalba), Este Mendocino (Junin, Rivadavia, San Martin and Santa Rosa), Sur Mendocino (General Alvear, San Rafael) and Valle de Uco (San Carlos, Tunuyán, Tupungato).
Well-known producers are Achával Ferrer, Alta Vista, Altos Las Hormigas, Bianchi, Bodegas Caro, Bodegas Esmeralda, Bodegas López, Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier, Bodega Vistalba, Catena Zapata, Chandon (Moët et Chandon), Cicchitti, Dominio del Plata, Fabre Montmayou, Finca La Anita, Finca Flichman, Hispano-Argentinas, Lagarde, La Rural, Lavaque, Lurton, Marqués de Griñón, Navarro Correas, Nieto y Senetiner, Norton, Orfila, Peñaflor, Pulenta Estate, Santa Ana, Terrazas de los Andes (Cheval des Andes, joint venture with Bordeaux winery Château Cheval Blanc), Trapiche, Weinert, Zuccardi Valle de Uco.
Image: By David - Salentein Vinyard, CC BY 2.0, Link
