- Susana Balbo, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 2005 $55
- Tikal, “Patriota”, Mendoza, Argentina, 2004
$49 - Valentin Bianchi, “Famiglia”, Cabernet Sauvignon, San Rafeal, Argentina, 2005 $42
- Pascula Toso, "Maipu Vineyards", Malbec, Argentina, 2006 $32
- Doña Paula, “Estate”, Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina, 2006 $30
- Septima Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 2007 $24
About Argentine Wine
Argentine wine, as with some aspects of Argentine cuisine, has its roots in Spain. During the Spanish colonization of the Americas, Juan Cedrón (or Cidrón) brought the first vine cuttings to Santiago del Estero in 1557, and the cultivation of the grape and wine production stretched first to neighbouring regions, and then to other parts of the country.
Argentine winemakers have traditionally been more interested in quantity than quality and the country consumes 90% of the wine it produces. Argentine wines started being exported during the 1990s, and are currently growing in popularity. The devaluation of the Argentine peso in 2002, following the economic collapse, further fueled the industry as production costs decreased and tourism significantly increased, giving way to a whole new concept of wine tourism in Argentina. The past years have seen the birth of numerous tourist-friendly wineries with free tours and tastings. Some wineries even provide accommodations (such as is the case of Salentein or Tapiz) for tourists interested in staying in boutique hotels specifically oriented towards wine-tourism. The Mendoza Province is now one of Argentina's top tourist destinations and the one which has grown the most in the past years.
