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A complete guide to Torrontés

by Amanda Barnes September 15, 2019

Filled with aromas of jasmine, lychee and orange, Torrontés is unmistakable and it is one of Argentina’s most important white wine varieties. Torrontés represents almost a third of Argentina’s white wine vineyards and is the white wine Argentina is best known for as it is a native variety, which is rarely planted outside of Argentina.

Torrontés in fact refers to three different, although genetically very similar, white grape varieties: Torrontés Riojano, Torrontés Sanjuanino and Torrontés Mendocino. The main variety used for top quality wines is Torrontés Riojano, which is widely planted around Argentina.

Quick Torrontés guide

Aromas: Jasmine, lychee, orange, apricot, roses, ginger, honeysuckle

Palate: Light to medium body; Dry; Medium, fresh acidity; usually 13.5% abv

A guide to Torrontés: A Criolla variety born in the New World

When the Spanish brought the first vines to the Americas, Moscatel de Alejandría and Criolla Chica (known as Listán Prieto in Spain) were two of the founding varieties that were planted on the continent. Both varieties were planted widely across the Americas and often grew together in the same vineyards as mixed plantings. In Argentina, in the more densely planted Cuyo regions, at some point in the late 18th century, both varieties crossed to give birth to the family of Torrontés varieties: three sisters, from the same parents but with a slightly different appearance and personality.

September 15, 2019 0 comment

Photo credits Don Miguel Gascon. History of Argentine wine, guide to the history of winemaking in Argentina and wine production

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A journey through Argentine wine history

by Clorrie Yeomans September 12, 2019

written by Clorrie Yeomans

You may be a Malbec lover, but do you know about the history of Argentine wine? Argentinean wines have only just started to be noticed on the international winemaking scene around 20 years ago with the ‘Malbec Boom’. However, the term ‘New World’ can be quite deceiving. Argentina actually has a long history of winemaking which stretches all of the way back to the sixteenth century! Here’s our guide to Argentina wine history and how this South American country became one of the world’s biggest wine producers.

The deeply-rooted wine culture in Argentina

As one of the biggest wine producers in the world, Argentina has a rich wine culture and significant wine consumption domestically. In fact, the only city which drinks more wine in the world than Buenos Aires is Paris.

Argentina’s wine history goes back to the early colonial period, when the first vines were brought over to Argentina from the Old World by the Spanish conquistadors who needed to produce wine for Mass.

The first cuttings are believed to have been planted in Argentina in 1556, by Father Cedrón who brought over cuttings from the Chilean Central Valley to San Juan and Mendoza. Although the first plantings were small, by the end of the sixteenth century, there were vineyards scattered throughout Argentina and planted in each region that the Spanish settled – from east to west and north to south.

Over these first two centuries of grape growing, growers naturally gravitated to the Cuyo region due to the high altitude and favourable semi-arid climate conditions with plenty of water access for irrigation. There were 120 vineyards in Mendoza alone by 1739 according to a census.

Argentine wine history: The Criolla and colonial period

The Jesuit missionaries brought cuttings mainly from Spain’s Canary Islands. These early varieties on the continent soon bred native varieties, which led to a big family of Criolla varieties (read about Criolla grape varieties on this article).

Criolla grapes continued to be the most important varietals in Argentina for the next 300 years. They produced a very high yield of grapes which kept growers happy in terms of producing a large quantity. However, the high yielding vines meant that the grapes had a lower colour and flavour intensity – arguably making lesser quality wines.

Argentina wine history during the 19th & 20th centuries: the influence of European immigration

Wine production remained completely artisanal in Argentina for almost three centuries after the Spanish missionaries planted the first vines. The first industrial wineries were founded in the early 19th century following independence but were limited to a certain extent by civil wars in Argentina from 1814 to 1880 which had significantly hindered the winemaking industry’s development.

The winemaking boom in Argentina

Progress was stagnant until the arrival of European immigrants during the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century catalysed the winemaking boom. The outbreak of phylloxera which destroyed vineyards throughout the European continent during the latter half of the nineteenth century, as well as the political stability around the outbreak of WW1, were the major push factors which drove European immigrants to try their luck in the New World.

These immigrants mainly came from winemaking countries (notably Spain, Italy and France) and so they used their know-how to develop the Argentine winemaking industry. They also brought over new technologies and set up workshops to repair winemaking machinery.

Indeed, there are many cases of European immigrants from winemaking regions, such as the Italians Juan Giol and Felipe Rutini, who came from humble backgrounds and managed to establish their own wineries in Mendoza. Many European immigrants at the time went on to become influential figures in Mendoza and in Argentina’s wine industry, and in the 19th century, the modern winemaking industry in Argentina was born.

The Founding Father of Malbec in Argentina, Michel Aimé Pouget

Perhaps the most famous European to have impacted the Argentinean winemaking industry is the French agricultural engineer Michel Aimé Pouget. It all began when the Governor of the Cuyo region (who would later become the President of Argentina), Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, sent a proposal to the national Argentinean government to develop and expand the winemaking industry. Pouget was hired as a viticulture specialist and this important event is celebrated every year with what is now known as World Malbec Day.

Pouget founded the first agricultural school and vine nursery in Argentina in Mendoza and he introduced French grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Malbec. These grapes adapted very well to the terroir and produced wines of more concentration and better quality wine than the Criolla varieties.

Malbec, or la uva francesa as it was known, began to grow significantly in number and importance in Argentina, and Argentina’s vine gene pool grew increasingly diverse throughout the late 19th century and early 20th century with many varieties from all over Europe.

Argentina wine history & the development of the railway

A major factor which facilitated the development of the Argentinean winemaking industry was the arrival of the Transandine Railway in Mendoza in 1885. The railway allowed wines to be exported from Mendoza to the greater market of Buenos Aires. Before the train line, it would take close to a month for mules to carry wine in barrels across the country. The same journey by train took just a day. The much bigger demand led to a much greater supply and vineyards were planted at a rapid rate.

It also triggered the phenomenon of urbanisation as an influx of immigrant workers and their families settled in the rural winemaking regions. Wineries started to pop up alongside the tracks and from 1880 to 1900, planted vineyard hectarage grew by more than fivefold.

The industry was stinted during the crisis of the 1930s, but towards the latter half of the 20th-century consumption was once again on the rise – and Argentina hit its heyday of wine production and consumption in the 1970s.

Land under vine had doubled between 1950 and 1970 and Argentina’s wine industry hit its peak in production in 1977 with 350,680 hectares of vines planted. Wine consumption was also at an all-time high at 92 litres per capita in 1970.

However, at the beginning of the 80s, crisis struck the wine industry again. The dirty war was in full swing and a combination of social and economic crises had a knock-on impact on the wine industry which had become embroiled in corruption, competition and dodgy deals.

When one of Mendoza’s biggest wine magnates and bank owners, Héctor Greco, went under, most of the industry collapsed with him and his fortunes. Grape prices and wine prices dropped by 80% between 1979 and 1982. There was a glut of cheap table wine left in the wineries, and no affluent market left to buy it (by 1980 consumption was down to 76 litres per capita, a downward trend that would continue until today with just 18 litres consumed on average in 2019).

Wine consumption in Argentina from 1960s until 2018. Guide to history of Argentine wine and Latin American wine — Wine consumption in Argentina from 1960s until today. Source: INV

Few wineries were left unscathed by the crisis. With a shrinking domestic market, the wine industry had to change tactics and from the 90s onwards there was a new focus on exporting wines. Which in turn meant making wines of export quality.

Modern Argentine wine history: The 1990s to early 2000s & exports of high-quality wines

Until the end of the 20th century, Argentinean wineries produced large quantities of low-quality wines destined for the domestic market. Winemakers understood that it was not worth investing in the time and equipment to produce top-quality wines because high-end consumers preferred imported fine wines and the majority of domestic consumption was of table wines. Argentina remained within the top 10 wine producers in the world throughout the twentieth century. However, very few bottles made it overseas.

Facing a diminished domestic market, however, meant that Argentina’s wine industry had to adapt in order to survive. The Argentineans started to take some tricks from the winemaking books of their neighbours.

The Chileans had begun to tailor their wines to the export market much earlier on. Chile never had a domestic market the size of Argentina, and yet it had grown in wine production over the past decades to become an important producer and exporter. Part of that success was due to Chilean wineries contracting international winemakers to modernise the Chilean wine industry with their techniques and expertise.

Open borders, open minds: An international outlook for Argentina

Argentina started to follow in Chile’s footsteps in looking outwards to the wine world in the 1990s during the period of Neoliberalism during the presidency of Carlos Menem. He attached the value of the peso to the dollar and introduced free trade which allowed the Argentinean industry to develop.

In 2001, Argentina faced another life-changing crisis. The value of the peso shot down against the dollar and although that was negative for the Argentine economy, it made Argentine wines much more competitive on the export market.

By the mid-90s Argentina had a handful of international and flying winemakers advising its wineries and helping improve the standards of Argentine wine across the board. Notable examples include Nicolás Catena hiring US-born winemaker Paul Hobbs to transform his production of Chardonnay; and Arnaldo Etchart in Salta bringing Bordeaux-based wine consultant Michel Rolland to improve his red wines in Cafayate.

The influx of foreign knowledge and experience led to an influx in investment in new technology including stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels, as well as a different approach to viticulture – favouring concentration and maturity of grapes, over yield and productivity.

Malbec booms and so does wine tourism

Although Malbec plantations had actually been in decline a couple decades before, during the late 90s and early 2000s Argentina’s Malbec started to be loved and appreciated by the international market. It soon became Argentina’s most exported wine and increased demand for Argentine wine, increasing exports of Argentine wine from 55,000 hectolitres in 1990 to 492,000 hectolitres in 2000, according to the INV.

In a relatively short time, Argentina had changed its image and production from a bulk producer of low-quality wines for an undemanding domestic market to a producer of highly sought-after export quality wines.

The wine tourism boom & future generations of Argentine wine lovers

Wineries in Argentina, and largely Mendoza, saw a glimmering opportunity to start to offer wine tourism as more people travelled through since the 2000s. Today Mendoza is a major wine capital in the world, and wine tourism is a significant part of the business model for most wineries in Mendoza and has allowed for the development of dozens of hotels and restaurants.

Mendoza’s wineries received over 1.1 million visitors in 2018, 36% of whom were foreigners. Four in every 10 wine tourists are Brazilian (which is one of Argentina’s most important export markets), followed by North American and English visitors.

Wine tourism has not only become important in terms of selling wine on the cellar door but more importantly the experiences visitors have in Argentine wine country are fondly remembered for life and drive consumption in their own country throughout the year.

Argentina created a very strong brand for itself thanks to its world-renowned Malbec wine, but the opportunity of tasting Argentine wine in situ is also opening people’s eyes to the many different terroirs and grape varieties of Argentina today.

Italian-Argentinean culture: that’s amore!

by Clorrie Yeomans August 23, 2019

written by Clorrie Yeomans

There’s no other South American country that is quite so… Italian. Clorrie Yeomans explores the Italian connection in Argentina, and discovers how Italian culture has influenced the language, cuisine and customs of Argentina.

If you have been to Argentina, then you might have wondered, ‘Why do Argentineans eat so much pizza and pasta?’ Or ‘Why are there so many Argentinean words which don’t exist in standard Spanish?’ Argentina is commonly considered to be the most European country in Latin America, due to mass immigration during the late 19th and 20th century. However, there is a common preconception that Argentinean culture is primarily influenced by Spanish culture. In reality, if you visit Argentina, then you will notice that there is a huge Italian influence which has enriched their national identity.

Italian culture at the heart of Argentinidad

These Italian immigrants integrated into the heart of Argentinean society. In fact, in Buenos Aires, there is no Little Italy like in New York. Italian culture is omnipresent in the arts, gastronomy and language. It is estimated that 60% of Argentineans today have some Italian blood. Without a doubt, Argentineans are overtly proud of their Italian roots and continue to keep the spirits of their European ancestors alive. Even those who are not of Italian origin enjoy eating typical Italian dishes and have a broad knowledge of Italian history. I would say that this sums up the beauty and uniqueness of Argentina: a melting pot of cultures which have conserved their customs whilst also adopting a shared Argentinidad.

Why is Argentinean Spanish so different?

It is true that Argentinean Spanish is very distinctive and has a ton of words which do not exist in standard Spanish from Spain or other Latin American countries. Argentineans speak as though they are singing (like Italians) but it can be a bit of a challenge for learners of Spanish or Spanish speakers themselves to understand them!

So, why are so many words different in Argentinean Spanish? You will be surprised by the number of words of Italian origin that Argentineans use in everyday conversation. In fact, the first Italianisms started to appear in the Spanish language between 1400 and 1500, during the Italian Renaissance. Dante’s language mainly influenced art, music, theatre, gastronomy and navigation.

However, Argentinean Spanish is characterised by extensive linguistic borrowing from Italian. It all began when Argentina received several huge waves of European immigration, of which the two main groups were Italians and Spaniards.

When the immigrants arrived, they mixed their mother tongues in an attempt to communicate with one another, as well as with the locals. This gave birth to Lunfardo, the slang which originates from Buenos Aires.

Previously, it was believed that Lunfardo was a secret language created by thieves so that the police would not be able to understand what they were saying! However, Lunfardo has finally earned its place as a symbol of Argentinean identity and some words have even been recognised by the Real Academia.

Indeed, Lunfardo is very present in the lyrics of Tango music, which is an iconic symbol of porteño regional identity. According to the Academy of Lunfardo in Buenos Aires, there is a wealth of around 6,000 words and phrases and 70 new ones are invented every year. Indeed, the evolution of Lunfardo is a sign of how the spirits of the 19th and 20th-century Italian immigrants continue to live on in Argentina today.

Common Lunfardo expressions which come from Italian:

Morfar– to eat (comes from the Italian word for mouth: morfa)

Pibe– young man (from the Italian pivetto)

Laburo- work/job (from the Italian lavoro)

Facha- looks (from the Italian facia, or face)

There are also many words related to gastronomy. For example:

Birra– beer (rather than the standard Spanish: cerveza)

Tuco– type of tomato sauce

Che Boludo! Why are you moving your hands about?

Italians are renowned for talking with their hands and Argentineans have definitely inherited this custom from their Italian ancestors. So, if you see an Argentinean pinching their fingers together, they are probably saying ‘are you kidding?’

Likewise, people often make a ‘c’ sign with their fingers in restaurants to tell the waiter that they would like a cortado (coffee). Furthermore, like Italians, Argentineans love nicknames! It is actually a sign of affection to call their friend “chubby” (gordo) and it is common for people to not know their friends’ real name!

Family always comes first

Much like their Italian cousins, Argentineans come from very closely-knit families where three generations sit around the table every day. There is nothing more important to Argentineans than meeting up with the extended family on a Sunday to savour a delicious asado together.

In Argentina, one is considered to be responsible for taking care of one’s family and relatives provide a network of support during times of need. It is common for the family trade to be passed down from generation to generation which is why there are lots of family-owned restaurants, wineries and shops.

However, the model of a typical family in Argentina is drastically changing. Middle and upper-class families are having fewer children and women are becoming more present in the political and public sphere. Despite that the nuclear family is changing, family continues to be the most important aspect of life in Argentina.

Italo-Argentine cuisine: a marriage of flavours

When the first Italian communities settled in Argentina, they continued to prepare the typical dishes from their regions. The local Argentine population soon adopted these Italian dishes which became universal family favourites. So much so that by the 1920s, Porteños stopped eating puchero (beef and vegetable stew) for Sunday dinner and opted for pasta dishes instead. This trend even spread to other regions which received fewer Italian immigrants. The rich variety of regional dishes cooked by the immigrants who came from different parts of Italy gave birth to the diverse Argentinean cuisine that we know today.

People often assume that Argentineans are pure carnivores who eat nothing but asado or meat from the parrilla every day. Be it for financial reasons or out of preference, the typical mid-week meal in most Argentinean households is actually pasta or pizza.

Asados are saved for special occasions or the weekend when people set aside a whole afternoon or evening to enjoy some quality food and catch up their loved ones.

Typical Italian dishes in Argentina:

Milanesa

Milanesas are one of the favourite dishes in Argentinean households and they are the equivalent to a chicken or beef schnitzel. Although sometimes they are prepared with fish.

The most popular type of milanesa is the napolitana which is covered in tomato sauce, ham and melted mozzarella cheese. However, there are lots of different toppings, such as fried egg, guacamole and barbecue sauce.

Pizza

The classic Argentinean pizza is very different to the typical thin-crust pizzas that you find in Italy. In Argentina, pizzas have a thick, airy dough and a chunky crust with all of the classic pizza toppings.

There is also a special type of Argentinean pizza which originates from Buenos Aires called fuggazzetta which is prepared with two pizza bases with cheese in the middle topped with onions.

Gnocchi night

Why do Argentineans eat gnocchi on the 29th of each month? When families were struggling to make ends, they needed to fill their stomachs with the cheapest food possible and these potato-dumplings served the purpose. According to the tradition, each poor family had to invite a hungry person to eat in their house who was actually a saint in disguise who would reward their generosity by placing a gold coin under his plate.

During the Second World War, it became more and more common to eat gnocchi before payday out of necessity. From then onwards, Gnocchi Night has turned into an important national tradition. Nowadays, the 29th is a night in which families reflect on the importance of generosity. It is even believed that those who donate the money left under their plates to charity will be rewarded with deep pockets.

Best places to eat Italian food in Mendoza:

La Marchigiana

La Marchigiana is one of the best-known restaurants in Mendoza. La Marchigiana first opened its doors in the city centre in 1950 as the first bonafide Italian restaurant in Mendoza. This family-run restaurant was founded by María Teresa Corradini, more commonly known as Teresa Barbera, who has become one of Mendoza’s best-loved chefs today. Teresa left post-war Italy at aged 13 with her family in search for a better life in the promised land of Argentina. The family first set up a B&B in Mendoza where her mother taught her how to cook for the guests.

Determined to make something of herself in Argentina, Teresa was one of the first women to set up her own business. She has passed on her hardworking values to her own children and now the fourth generation of her family is working in her restaurants. The restaurant serves typical Italo-Argentinean specialities including grilled meat, milanesa, lasagna and tiramisu. The menu tells the story of Teresa’s journey from the tragedy of wartime Italy to her newfound love for her adopted homeland, Argentina.

La Marchigiana, Patricias Mendocinas 1550, Mendoza. Tel. +54 (0) 261 423-0751

La Marchigiana branch in Palmares: Palmares Open Mall, Tomás Godoy Cruz 2650, Godoy Cruz. Tel. +54 (0) 261 439-1961

Francisco Barbera (an upmarket restaurant also owned and run by Teresa), Chile 1268. Tel +54 (0) 261 425-3912

Ferruccio Soppelsa ice cream parlour

You will find gelaterias on just about every corner of every street in Mendoza. However, Ferruccio Soppelsa stays true to its Italian roots. Güerino Soppelsa came from Italy to Mendoza in 1927, where he set up his first ice cream parlour and ice cream stand. Soon, Güerino’s family came over from Italy to help him to expand the family enterprise. They opened another ice cream parlour and started to deliver ice creams on their iconic tricycles. The business was then awarded the ‘Cavalieri del Lavaro’ prize from the Italian government which recognises successful enterprises outside of the peninsular.

Ferruccio Soppelsa continues to invent new innovative flavours. I have to recommend their mouthwatering Malbec sorbet which pretty much encompasses the fusion of Italian and Argentinean gastronomy and culture in Mendoza.

Av. Emilio Civit 2, Espejo 299, Av. San Martin Sur 450, Av. General Las Heras 199

La Cuyanita pasta shop

La Cuyanita is a pasta factory and shop which was founded by an Italian couple from Piedmont who originally lived in Cordoba, before moving to Mendoza to set up their pasta shop. Now, the grandmother still lives above the pasta shop and factory, whilst the third generation takes care of the day-to-day running of the business.

La Cuyanita sells homemade Italian pasta including ravioli (several fillings including ricotta and nuts, five cheese and meat), pappardelle, tagliatelle and handmade agnolotti. The shop also sells fresh empanadas and delicious pasta sauces which the chefs make from scratch every day.

This family business has continued to expand and they will soon open an on-site restaurant selling authentic Italian food; just like mamma used to make!

Martín Zapata 202. Tel. +54 (0) 261 425-7836

Italian architecture in Mendoza

Plaza Italia

Plaza Italia is a symbol of the friendship and close bonds between Argentina and Italy. In 1922, a monument was inaugurated in memory of the Italian residents who left Mendoza to fight for Italy on the Italo-Austrian front during WW1.

There is an emblematic sculpture created by Giorgio Igne in 1996 of a woman placing her hand on a wheel decorated with the different emblems of the regions of Italy. With her other hand, she is riding a horse which represents the history of Italian culture in Mendoza and the path to the future of Argentina.

Every year just before the Vendimia, the Festa in Piazza takes place in the Plaza Italia. Locals decorate the plaza as a way of keeping the memory of their Italian ancestors alive. There are many stalls selling typical Italian delicacies, as well as street entertainment and music. This is the perfect occasion for locals and tourists to celebrate the Italian influence at the heart of Mendocinian identity.

Italian cultural organisations in Mendoza

Associazione Veneta Mendoza-Giovana

When Italian immigrants first arrived in Mendoza, they set up local clubs in which immigrants from the same region would meet up and conserve the traditions and languages of their villages. Nowadays, these associations live on and organise get-togethers with traditional Italian meals under the central body of the FEDIME.

I was recently invited to attend a Spritz Evening organised by the Associazione Veneta Mendoza-Giovana and I felt like I was in Italy! Three generations sat down around the table enjoying a wholesome meal of polenta, homemade pasta and ragu prepared by a team of cooks under the watchful eye of the nonna!

The young performers singing in Italian on the stage were a sign that Italian culture will have an enduring influence in Mendoza.

Dante Alighieri Institute Mendoza

The Italian influence in Argentina is so strong that the Dante Alighieri Institute has decided to host its first international congress this year in Buenos Aires, rather than in Italy! The Dante Institute in Mendoza regularly organises events in order to preserve the Italian culture and language in the local community. For example, each month, they organise an Italian cinema event in collaboration with Mendoza City Council. In October, the Institute celebrates Italian Gastronomy Week and Italian Language Week and in November, students can participate in a theatre workshop and show.

From Italian immigrants to Argentinean migrants

The Vice President of the Dante Alighieri Institute in Mendoza, Carla Ventimiglia, explains that recently there has been a considerable increase in the number of students enrolling for Italian courses. Due to the current economic crisis in Argentina, many citizens are hoping to study or work in Italy. It is fairly simple to obtain an Italian passport by blood as it only requires a few papers. However, in order to obtain a passport by marriage, you must pass an intermediate-level Italian exam.

Many students feel drawn towards learning Italian as a way of discovering their own identity. During the classes, they remember certain words that their grandparents used to say in the kitchen either in standard Italian or a regional dialect.

History is definitely going back on itself and who knows if Argentinean culture will end up influencing Italian national identity in several years to come. What is certain is that the close ties between these two countries, who may not share any borders or even speak the same language, remain as unbreakable as ever.

August 23, 2019 0 comment

Jujuy wine region guide, Guide to the wines of Argentina and Latin American wine

Argentina Wine Guide Argentina Features Northern Argentina Wine Travel & Culture

Jujuy wine guide & regional profile

by Amanda Barnes August 17, 2019

written by Amanda Barnes

At the northernmost tip of Argentina, Jujuy is in a world extreme. Bordering southern Bolivia and the edge of Chile’s Atacama region, Jujuy has both jungle and desert salt flats but it is largely dominated by the high plateau of the Altiplano which scales up to 5000 metres altitude.

The wine regions of Jujuy are in the narrow 80km-long mountain valley and canyon of Quebrada de Humahuaca and the warmer valleys in the south known as the Valles Templados. Although there aren’t many vineyards in Jujuy (the region has just 26 hectares), Jujuy claims some of the highest-altitude vineyards in the world. Within the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a newly designated GI since 2015, vineyards reach up to 3,329 metres altitude.

Better known for its sugar cane and tobacco plantations, commercial wine production in Jujuy only started in the early 2000s and although small the quality is promising. Malbec is king in Jujuy, accounting for over half the plantings, and with its extreme thermal amplitude, Malbec wines from Jujuy generally have intense colour, higher acidity and rich concentration.

Fact file on Jujuy wine region

First planted in the 17th century. Modern plantings since 2003.
Hectares planted: 26 hectares
Number of wineries/vineyards: 23 growers
Average vineyard size & production size: Small vineyards which average a hectare
Regions & sub-regions: Quebrada de Humahuaca and Valles Templados
Latitude: 23.1°S
Longitude: 65.3°W
Altitude: 1,720 to 3,329 metres altitude
Geological description: Mountainous valleys.
Soil formation & characteristics: Rocky, poor soils.
Climate type and info: Continental, arid, mountainous.
Avg. growing season day time: 24°C
Avg. growing season night time: 8°C
Diurnal range: 16°C
Rainfall average: 140 mm per year. Concentrated in the summer
Adverse climate conditions: Jujuy is incredibly dry, so water accessibility and irrigation is essential for any new vineyard in the region. There’s a lot of wind which can be managed with natural wind breaks and canopy management, and the wind also means the grapes rarely have health issues. High solar radiation requires careful canopy management so the grapes don’t burn.
Most planted varieties: Over 90% of the vineyards in Jujuy are for red wine. Malbec accounts for almost half of the vineyards, followed by Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Sauvignon Blanc is the next most planted, followed by another red variety – Cabernet Franc. There are also some very small quantities of several other varieties being experimented with.
Avg. vine age: 5 years old
Vineyard management: VSP with drip irrigation.

Useful resources on Jujuy wine region:

South America Wine Production
Wines of Argentina (photos featured are sourced from Wines of Argentina)

Wineries in Jujuy wine region

Ayni Winery

Ayni winery is one of the highest altitude producers in the world, Ayni has vineyards up at 3,329 metres altitude. Open for tourism including nature walks, meditation and philosophy!

Bodega Fernando Dupont

Bodega Fernando Dupont is the largest wine producer in the region of Quebrada de Humahuaca in Jujuy, with a production of 23,000 litres per year.

Amanecer Andino

Alfredo González started to make wines in his free time 10 years ago in Quebrada de Humahuaca and he now runs his small family winery, Amanecer Andino, which is open for wine tastings with local charcuterie.

Viñas del Perchel

Viñas del Perchel is a family enterprise located at an altitude of 2,650 metres above sea level in the winemaking region of Quebrada de Humahuaca in Jujuy.

Huichara

Huichara is a four-hectare vineyard situated in the high altitude region of Quebrada de Humahuaca in Jujuy.

Jujuy travel highlights

One of the greatest travel highlights when visiting Jujuy is heading to the colourful canyon of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. A UNESCO heritage site, this natural valley has been an important trade route for over 10,000 years and there are traces of the hunter-gatherer tribes that inhabited the region as well as remains from the Incan Empire.

These archaeological sites are also accompanied by stunning landscapes where the vibrantly colourful mountains look like paintings. The range of mineral deposits in the hillsides is what gives them such striking colour changes and trail of Purmamarca is best known for for its Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colours).

Ethnic markets, charming mountain villages and the Yungas forest are other attractions.

Jujuy related articles

Hiking in Salta and Jujuy

August 17, 2019 0 comment

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