Wines From Argentina

Is A New Wine Country Destination On Your Bucket List? Maybe It’s Argentina?
By Steven Lay

Argentina is considered New World and is especially so in the world of wines. The beginnings of Argentina are traced to early Spanish explorers who founded settlements around 1520. Argentina has the second largest economy in South America. Over the past six decades they have struggled with economic issues but have never lost its attraction to people wanting to explore the path less traveled. But award winning wines from accomplished wine makers is changing how people look at Argentina.

Relative to the wine industry in Argentina of today, there are more than 26,000 registered vineyards. Of the 6 significant wine regions, Mendoza is the largest. Based upon acres in vines, Mendoza is approximately 70% larger than the second place (366,000 vineyard acres in Mendoza versus 116,000 in the San Juan region) and accounts for more than 70% of wine produced in Argentina. As a comparison, there are approximately 928,000 vineyard acres in California alone.

This arid climate, with a terroir dominated by Andean mountain soils and warm days and cold nights, make for great wines. With annual rainfall averaging less than 8 inches per year Mendoza relies on the snow melt in the Andes for vine irrigation. In the early 1800’s many European wine makers came to Argentina based upon ideal soil conditions, relative freedom from vine diseases, and available land. With most of the Mendoza vineyards at 2,600 to 5,000 feet above sea-level, this area is proving to be interesting as a case study on growing grapes at high elevations. This is especially true in the U.S. where, for example, the University of Nevada-Reno is interested in studying potential grape crops grown at high elevations. In some areas of Napa 2,200 feet in considered being high altitude.

Even at higher altitudes, the largest varietals planted in Argentina are: Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Merlot, Chardonnay, and Tempranillo. All these are prominent varietals in Europe and the U.S.

All varietal wine grape production in the U.S. in 2014 was approximately 2.8 million tons and Argentina produced 2.1 tons. But the top 5 wine producers in the world are (in descending order): France, Italy, Spain, U.S. and Argentina. It is interesting to note, 2010 versus 2014, all of the top 5 wine producing countries had a decrease in production except for the U.S. and Argentina-both had 5% growth.

But why is this of any interest to wine drinkers? Is it important to note that France produces 22% of the world’s tonnage of wine grapes? From the viewpoint that most wine drinkers eventually start searching for new experiences in wine, then it is natural to explore new wines-not just wine from regions we are comfortable and accustomed with. The famous historic wines of the world are from France, Italy and Spain, but why not explore other wines that are new and different and offer new sensations (aromas and taste) and experiences. Argentina offers wines that have recently started coming onto the wine stage in America; primarily because the quantity and quality are meeting very high standards.

For too long Argentina produced wines for local consumption. Now, with new wineries and major commitments from large family wineries from Europe, quality is vastly improved and exporting is becoming more common, especially as production increases and exchange rates make for bargains. In addition, many wine drinkers have experienced the traditional Europe, Australia and New Zealand, winery visits, now they want something new. Further, many in the U.S. market are marketing the texture of terroir/AVA. Certainly, Argentina has a very unique terroir, so why not explore Argentina for their wine.

Terroir is talked about a great deal. California wineries are starting to really market their AVA’s on labels and promoting the wine’s character from specific AVA’s. Gerald Boyd, writing for the Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, CA comments, “Soil is one of three main components that make up the over-arching concept of terroir, the others being topography and climate. There are dozens of soil types scattered throughout the wine regions of the world. A few years back, scientists told me that in the Napa Valley alone there are 33 different soil series and more than 100 soil variations. That new knowledge about soil encouraged me to look further at the impact of terroir on wine quality.” Based upon that recommendation, maybe wine lovers should try a new terroir.

Until now, there were not a lot of good options to find quality Argentina wine at good prices. But, as the industry grows, more quality wines are coming to America from Argentina.

I submit that the wine and culinary tour industry has worked its magic relative to European wine experiences and has branched out to Australia and New Zealand; everyone knows of YellowTail, but not everyone knows much about Argentina and their wines. This is relatively new.

Michel Rolland is probably the most noted wine consultant in the world. He represents clients in all the major wine regions of the world. His consulting fees are shocking to some and yet reasonable to those wanting to produce wine that is descriptive and born of a particular region. All of this is to say, he has one of his Argentinean wineries in Mendoza and he produces both red and white wine.

Many of the newer and most exquisite wineries in Argentina have roots in America as well. Quite by accident the son of the Frito-Lay CEO, Herman Lay, comes from Texas and has built a very exclusive winery in Mendoza he named Andeluna. It is a 200,000 acre winery and hunting lodge in the foothills of the Andes.

Argentina is worth a visit if you have been to Napa/Sonoma and other wine centric parts unknown to anyone but you. They are 5 hours ahead of West Coast time and their summer is North America’s winter.

Mr. Lay started Image of Wine http://www.imageofwine.com to manufacture and sell high end wine accessories to corporations as gifts and branding items. These are items may be personalized.

All products are custom manufactured and recongnized for their quality. Inquiries are welcomed by calling: 702-289-4167.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Steven_Lay/1185168

http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-A-New-Wine-Country-Destination-On-Your-Bucket-List?-Maybe-Its-Argentina?&id=9325976

Argentinean Wine

Why Try Argentinean Wine? Why Not?
By Steven Lay

Every place in the world that produces wine has some unique characteristics that impact the aromas and flavors of their wine. Argentina’s most visual awe-inspiring feature is the backdrop of the Andes Mountains to the West. The Andes give most of the vineyards cool night winds and sun filled days; most importantly the Andes give the high altitude vineyards the irrigation from the snow melt in the summer.

Since the 1550’s have been vineyards in Argentina and since the late 16th century the Mendoza area has been recognized as a premier wine grape growing region. “But it wasn’t until 1880 that a French botanist planted the first French grape varieties in the area. Italian and Spanish premium varieties were similarly introduced by immigrant wine makers from those countries,” according the Argentina Wine Guide.

Like California’s San Joaquin Valley and the area around Sacramento, Mendoza would not now be world renown as a wine region without plentiful water; both areas are naturally arid. In addition, Mendoza is at a relatively high elevation relative to traditional vineyards; Mendoza ranges from 2,600 to 5,000 feet above sea level. The Andes provide the irrigation water during the hot summer months and cool breezes at night.

But Argentina is not new to the wine scene, New World by definition, but old world by way of wines. Argentina was originally colonized by the Spaniards but Europeans have followed in the past few hundred years and as a result the varietals that have adapted to the Argentina climate variables have a great deal of European influences. Malbec is the grape that has made Argentina famous, but there are others that are important. In addition to Malbec there are other successful reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. Chardonnay also enjoys great acceptance and growth in the white category.

The following is a recap of the growth in premium wine varietals denoted as a percent change over a 10 year period ending in 2006. Source: Argentina Wine Guide.

Varietal-REDS Chge 2005 vs 2000

Malbec

102%

Bonarda

41%

Cabernet Sauvignon

604%

Syrah

1,440%

Merlot

491%

Tempranillo

-02%

Pinot Noir (Pinot Negro)

500%

Barbera

-10%

Cabernet Franc

300%

Varietal-WHITES Chge 2005 vs 2000

Torront�s

0%

Chardonnay

4,000%

Chenin Blanc

-20%

Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano)

0%

Semillon

0%

Sauvignon Blanc

400%

Sauvignonasse (Sauvignon Vert)

0%

Riesling

-30%

The 6 provinces/regions account for Argentina’s wine industry and this inordinate growth in traditional European varietals.

The most important wine regions of the country are the provinces/regions of: Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, Salta, Catamarca, Rio Negro and the newest being Southern Buenos Aires. The Mendoza province produces more than 70% of the Argentine wine.

Growing Provinces Acres in Vines

Mendoza

366,210

San Juan

116,633

La Rioja

20,262

R�o Negro

7,166

Catamarca

5,930

Salta

4,695

Neuqu�n

2,471

Other provinces (total)

3,212

Over the past couple of decades I have noticed more Argentinean wine on the shelves. It appears that Argentina wine industry has been expanding and the subsequent surplus in wine is going into the export market. Contrary to early history, most Argentinean wine was not high quality and most was consumed in that market. Looking at the U.S. wine industry, a parallel set of circumstances exist whereby excess production of quality wines go to the export market-European Union’s 28 member market to be specific. That export market accounts for $622 million in sales and 40% of U.S. wine exports in 2015, according to the Wine Institute. The total wine export market for the U.S. was $1.61 billion.

Do not think Argentina is not serious about the importance of wine on the World stage and the economic impact it has on a relatively small country; approximately 25% the size of the U.S. Some of the newer wineries are architectural marvels and produce award winning wines that rival the finest in the World. The production technologies in newer Argentinean wineries are second to none. The industry is also being populated by major wine producers and wine makers famous in the U.S. and Europe.

Today, some well-known wine consultants have put their stakes in the ground in Mendoza; such as Michel Rolland from France and Paul Hobbs from Napa and Sonoma, California. Until his death in 2011 Ward Lay, his father was the founder of Frito-Lay, was the owner of a new start-up winery that produces award winning wines. The name of that winery is Andeluna.

Just like in the U.S. there are small family operated wineries and large conglomerates, but the majority realize that the focus must be on quality. With 1,300 wineries in Argentina, that compares to 6,225 in the U.S. (with 26,000 vineyards). With a small population, smaller land mass, and impressive production numbers it is impressive what Argentina’s wine industry has accomplished. It also explains why we will see more Argentinean wine.

Mr. Lay started Image of Wine http://www.imageofwine.com to manufacture and sell high end wine accessories to corporations as gifts and branding items. These are items may be personalized.

All products are custom manufactured and recognized for their quality. Inquiries are welcomed by calling: 702-289-4167.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Steven_Lay/1185168

http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Try-Argentinean-Wine?-Why-Not?&id=9346170

Argentina Wine

Why Try Argentinean Wine? Why Not?
By Steven Lay

Every place in the world that produces wine has some unique characteristics that impact the aromas and flavors of their wine. Argentina’s most visual awe-inspiring feature is the backdrop of the Andes Mountains to the West. The Andes give most of the vineyards cool night winds and sun filled days; most importantly the Andes give the high altitude vineyards the irrigation from the snow melt in the summer.

Since the 1550’s have been vineyards in Argentina and since the late 16th century the Mendoza area has been recognized as a premier wine grape growing region. “But it wasn’t until 1880 that a French botanist planted the first French grape varieties in the area. Italian and Spanish premium varieties were similarly introduced by immigrant wine makers from those countries,” according the Argentina Wine Guide.

Like California’s San Joaquin Valley and the area around Sacramento, Mendoza would not now be world renown as a wine region without plentiful water; both areas are naturally arid. In addition, Mendoza is at a relatively high elevation relative to traditional vineyards; Mendoza ranges from 2,600 to 5,000 feet above sea level. The Andes provide the irrigation water during the hot summer months and cool breezes at night.

But Argentina is not new to the wine scene, New World by definition, but old world by way of wines. Argentina was originally colonized by the Spaniards but Europeans have followed in the past few hundred years and as a result the varietals that have adapted to the Argentina climate variables have a great deal of European influences. Malbec is the grape that has made Argentina famous, but there are others that are important. In addition to Malbec there are other successful reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. Chardonnay also enjoys great acceptance and growth in the white category.

The following is a recap of the growth in premium wine varietals denoted as a percent change over a 10 year period ending in 2006. Source: Argentina Wine Guide.

Varietal-REDS Chge 2005 vs 2000

Malbec

102%

Bonarda

41%

Cabernet Sauvignon

604%

Syrah

1,440%

Merlot

491%

Tempranillo

-02%

Pinot Noir (Pinot Negro)

500%

Barbera

-10%

Cabernet Franc

300%

Varietal-WHITES Chge 2005 vs 2000

Torront�s

0%

Chardonnay

4,000%

Chenin Blanc

-20%

Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano)

0%

Semillon

0%

Sauvignon Blanc

400%

Sauvignonasse (Sauvignon Vert)

0%

Riesling

-30%

The 6 provinces/regions account for Argentina’s wine industry and this inordinate growth in traditional European varietals.

The most important wine regions of the country are the provinces/regions of: Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, Salta, Catamarca, Rio Negro and the newest being Southern Buenos Aires. The Mendoza province produces more than 70% of the Argentine wine.

Growing Provinces Acres in Vines

Mendoza

366,210

San Juan

116,633

La Rioja

20,262

R�o Negro

7,166

Catamarca

5,930

Salta

4,695

Neuqu�n

2,471

Other provinces (total)

3,212

Over the past couple of decades I have noticed more Argentinean wine on the shelves. It appears that Argentina wine industry has been expanding and the subsequent surplus in wine is going into the export market. Contrary to early history, most Argentinean wine was not high quality and most was consumed in that market. Looking at the U.S. wine industry, a parallel set of circumstances exist whereby excess production of quality wines go to the export market-European Union’s 28 member market to be specific. That export market accounts for $622 million in sales and 40% of U.S. wine exports in 2015, according to the Wine Institute. The total wine export market for the U.S. was $1.61 billion.

Do not think Argentina is not serious about the importance of wine on the World stage and the economic impact it has on a relatively small country; approximately 25% the size of the U.S. Some of the newer wineries are architectural marvels and produce award winning wines that rival the finest in the World. The production technologies in newer Argentinean wineries are second to none. The industry is also being populated by major wine producers and wine makers famous in the U.S. and Europe.

Today, some well-known wine consultants have put their stakes in the ground in Mendoza; such as Michel Rolland from France and Paul Hobbs from Napa and Sonoma, California. Until his death in 2011 Ward Lay, his father was the founder of Frito-Lay, was the owner of a new start-up winery that produces award winning wines. The name of that winery is Andeluna.

Just like in the U.S. there are small family operated wineries and large conglomerates, but the majority realize that the focus must be on quality. With 1,300 wineries in Argentina, that compares to 6,225 in the U.S. (with 26,000 vineyards). With a small population, smaller land mass, and impressive production numbers it is impressive what Argentina’s wine industry has accomplished. It also explains why we will see more Argentinean wine.

Mr. Lay started Image of Wine http://www.imageofwine.com to manufacture and sell high end wine accessories to corporations as gifts and branding items. These are items may be personalized.

All products are custom manufactured and recognized for their quality. Inquiries are welcomed by calling: 702-289-4167.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Steven_Lay/1185168

http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Try-Argentinean-Wine?-Why-Not?&id=9346170