By country :: Argentina
Argentina has long played second fiddle to Chile in terms of exports, but Argentinian wine has fast become a hugely popular player on the international stage. Her signature grape variety is without a doubt Malbec, which produces seductive, full-bodied reds packed with spicy fruit, many of which are capable of ageing spectacularly. Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, the aromatic, fruity Torrontés and Chardonnay, amongst others, also flourish here.
Much of Argentina is very dry and hot, but the altitude at which many of the country's vineyards are settled is quite high, therefore allowing grapes of a high quality to be grown. The snow melt from the Andes provides much of Argentina's vineyard with the water needed, and recent investment in irrigation systems has allowed this to be far more carefully regulated than previously.
This wonderful country, home to the passionate Tango and producer of some of the best beef in the world, has a lot to be proud of, not least its increasingly impressive range of wines.
Found 9 products.
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Kaiken, 2008 (R)Our price: From £8.77"It was precisely the wines of Argentina that attracted Montes into that country. For that same reason we imposed upon ourselves, right from the start, in 2001, the task of acquiring for KAIKEN the best grapes produced in the area. We went through all the best grape producing estates, finally deciding for the exceptional quality of that in the First Zone (Maipú, Cruz de Piedra, Ugarteche, Agrelo) as well as from Valle de Uco. Along with a hard selection of the best producers, we meticulously supervise each step and work in the vineyard from start to finish of each growing season, observing well each little detail. This,to attain the full potential from the best grapes".
Chardonnay Reserva, Terrazas de los Andes, 2009Our price: From £12.82Building on 45 years of research into and development of Mendoza's terraced microclimates, Terrazas de los Andes has fostered a core philosophy based upon Argentina's primary advantage in the world of winemaking: high elevation grape cultivation. The winery uses Mendoza's unique topography in the foothills of the Andes to capture the essence of Argentine fruit expression and forge a distinct national style, and in the process has emerged as one of the country's true pioneers.
Chenin, Torrontés La Agrícola Villa Vieja, 2010Our price: From £7.42The Zuccardi family, a well-established winemaking family from Mendoza, have created an excellent range of entry level, fruit driven wines under the Villa Vieja label. The Chenin Torrontes, grape varieties of the Loire and northern Spain respectively, is an intriguing example of Argentine fusion.
Cheval des Andes, 2006Our price: From £57.15This joint venture between Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes originated as Director Pierre Lurton sought out a special international terroir in which to apply the storied blending heritage of the French château. Lurton was intrigued by the notion of unearthing a connection with the Saint Émilion past: Malbec, decimated by phylloxera in the 1860s and wiped out as one of the most important varieties in Saint Émilion and Pomerol, has since been reincarnated in ungrafted form in Argentina and now produces some of the world's best. This wine, made using Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and a small percentage of Petit Verdot, spends 18 months in French oak.
Malbec Selection, Terrazas de los Andes, 2008Our price: From £12.82Building on 45 years of research into and development of Mendoza's terraced microclimates, Terrazas de los Andes has fostered a core philosophy based upon Argentina's primary advantage in the world of winemaking: high elevation grape cultivation. The winery uses Mendoza's unique topography in the foothills of the Andes to capture the essence of Argentine fruit expression and forge a distinct national style, and in the process has emerged as one of the country's true pioneers.
Malbec, Kaiken, 2010Our price: From £8.77"It was precisely the wines of Argentina that attracted Montes into that country. For that same reason we imposed upon ourselves, right from the start, in 2001, the task of acquiring for KAIKEN the best grapes produced in the area. We went through all the best grape producing estates, finally deciding for the exceptional quality of that in the First Zone (Maipú, Cruz de Piedra, Ugarteche, Agrelo) as well as from Valle de Uco. Along with a hard selection of the best producers, we meticulously supervise each step and work in the vineyard from start to finish of each growing season, observing well each little detail. This,to attain the full potential from the best grapes".
Pinot Gris, Santa Celina, 2011Our price: From £9.00Ten years ago Jacques and Francois Lurton bought land in Vista Flores, south of Mendoza at an altitude of 1100 metres, and in Barrancas on the plateau to the east of Mendoza at an altitude of 600 metres. These terroirs were selected for the quality of their soil, climate and quantity of available water. As the land had not been previously cultivated the soils were completely free from chemicals. The soil is calcareous and the lack of organic matter happily restricts vigorous vine growth. They produce wines brimming with personality and varietal character.
Sangiovese, Villa Vieja La Agricola, 2010Our price: From £8.32The Zuccardi family, a well established wine making family in Mendoza, have created an excellent range of entry level, fruit driven wines under the Villa Vieja label.
Torrontés Reserva, Terrazas de los Andes, 2008Our price: From £12.82Building on 45 years of research into and development of Mendoza's terraced microclimates, Terrazas de los Andes has fostered a core philosophy based upon Argentina's primary advantage in the world of winemaking: high elevation grape cultivation. The winery uses Mendoza's unique topography in the foothills of the Andes to capture the essence of Argentine fruit expression and forge a distinct national style, and in the process has emerged as one of the country's true pioneers.
