 In 1534 two European settlers, a priest named Father
Cidrón and Juan Juffré,
the founder of the town of Mendoza, planted the first
vines in Argentina. Today, 450 years later, Argentina
continues to produce wines with the same pioneering spirit.
When Spaniards first set foot in these lands inhabited
by the Huarpe Indians, they discovered that the native
population grew crops in this desert climate. It was,
however, the Incas who had brought the required wisdom
to give life to this area. Artificial irrigation was
already an established practice among the original inhabitants
of western Argentina when the first Europeans arrived.
The new settlers invented an even more sophisticated
system of water supply than their indigenous predecessors
had established. Relying, as ever, on the thaw of ice
and snow from the Andes Mountains, they created a complicated
network of dykes and large canals to channel the water
until it provided sufficient irrigation for the areas
they wished to cultivate.
It is truly amazing that such a huge green oasis has
been created and nurtured in the desert. The patience
and ingenuity of both the early settlers and those of
the last century to design the uniquely intricate method
of capturing water and supplying it by a vast network
of irrigation canals is as spectacular today as it must
have been all those years ago.
In the 19th century, the industry began to grow due to
an influx of Italian and Spanish immigrants who brought
new vines and a wealth of viticultural and wine-making
techniques to the area. The introduction of European
varieties such as Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
and Chenin Blanc substantially improved the quality of
Argentine wine.
So it was that Italian and Spanish settlers formed the
basis of modern Argentine viticulture and wine-making,
giving the area the profoundly rich culture it has today.
Argentina's main grape varieties for wine production
are:
- Red: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot,
Bonarda, Tempranillo and Sangiovese
- White:Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc,
Semillon and Torrontes
Malbec has found uniquely favourable growing conditions
in Argentina and there is no doubt that Argentine Malbec
is one of the most successful and delicious in the world.
Its intense colour, aromas of berry fruit, plums and
honey and its ability to ripen to perfection create wines
of a velvety texture and long, soft flavour. When oak
aged in barrels, the extra dimensions of vanilla and
soft tannin give great structure. Malbec is a perfect
partner for beef or even chocolate and red berry fruit
desserts.
Torrontés is Argentina's most distinctive and different white variety.
It produces a fresh, fruity and elegant white wine with crisp acidity. It is
particularly appealing to young wine-drinkers who appreciate its fruity, floral
easy-drinking character.
Argentina's Wine Industry
Mendoza is a very large wine-producing country. Indeed,
it is the 5th largest in the world and important domestic
consumption has, for a long time, easily absorbed production.
Economic stability in Argentina over the last decade
has created significant openings for worldwide trade
and with it opportunities for both major developments
within the wine industry and ambitious plans for export.
The existing environmental resources of Mendoza's wine-production
regions provide an outstanding framework for growing
high-quality grapes in the most natural and healthy conditions.
Add to that modern, state-of-the-art technology and Mendoza
is able to provide world consumers delicious wines with
all the colour, aroma, fruit flavour and quality it desires.
Heavy investment, training, acquisition and application
of modern technology as well as an absorption of international
product knowledge and markets are factors which mirror
a forward-thinking attitude which will surely enable
Argentina to win an important position amongst other
New World wine-producing countries.
Everyday, Mendoza and Argentina will surprise you with
our wines. ArgentineWines, Naturaly.
© 2002-2006, Prozma.org.ar
|
