{"title":"Country|Argentina","description":"\u003cp\u003ePerhaps no other country’s winemaking history is as tied to its socioeconomic and cultural influences than Argentina. These factors have impacted its products as well as its individual industry, and have brought considerable new attention to the country’s wine, especially in recent years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased at the southernmost tip of South America, Argentina holds the honor of being the continent’s largest, most prolific wine producer. Its wines are considered New World due to the changes in the country’s winemaking style and techniques as well as the motivation behind the same, but this might be an unfair assessment. Although Argentinian wines as we know them are relatively new, the country has been producing wine as far back as the 1500s. History claims that while a smattering of vines may have existed before, it was the arrival of Spanish missionaries during that time that assertively generated winemaking in the country. Bringing native Spanish vines with them to ensure adequate amounts of wine for sacramental use, production accelerated quickly. Settling in the high, dry Andes Mountains, the missionaries worked to improve the inferior farming practices utilized by the native residents. Their most notable contribution was enhancing irrigation by redirecting the melting snow from the mountaintops towards their thirsty vineyards. This enhanced water supply complemented the plots of land in the valleys, creating a highly suitable environment for more robust growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!--read_more--\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough these improvements were welcomed, the negative side to all this work rested in the end product. Made from the popular Criolla grape, the wine itself was less than refined, yielding a product completely lacking anything resembling the slightest finesse. Nonetheless, Criolla wine remained a staple for nearly 400 years. What came next for Argentina, however, was the culmination of economic need and European influence. This combination launched a new chapter in Argentina’s wine producing reputation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArgentina’s newfound approach to winemaking was sparked, to some extent, by neighborly competition. Chile, another current South American wine producing leader, was undergoing its own winemaking metamorphosis: with the arrival of American and European winemakers and viniculturists, Chile began to revise its previous protocols to meet the standards – and palates – of more profitable markets. Argentina, which at the time was experiencing a politically-driven decline in its role in international trade, needed an economic remedy. Luckily, the country found one among the vines and never looked back. As its new wine industry began to take flight – the country’s terrain, after all, was already ideal for additional growth – investors from both the U.S. and Europe took notice, bringing enhanced technology and well-known experts to the region. Together, these forces paved the way for what is now a remarkable presence on the global wine market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArgentina’s primary wine producing region, Mendoza, is located in the far western section of the country, ironically close to the Chilean border. Mendoza is responsible not only for more than 70% of the entire country’s annual production, but also for the majority of vineyards dedicated to Malbec, now Argentina’s most popular red wine export. Native to southwest France, Argentina’s Malbec is slightly more intense due to the climate’s impact on the flavor concentration of the grapes. Fruity yet velvety, the oak-barrel aging process delivers a forward, full-bodied and highly structured wine with hints of vanilla and dark stone fruits. To the north of Mendoza, the provinces of Salta and La Rioja are home to Argentina’s most prized white grape, Torrontés. Slightly sweet, this classic wine is a favorite of oenophiles seeking a light wine teeming with brightness and aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to its red and white signature varietals, Argentina produces highly competitive, high quality Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Not to be outdone, Chardonnay is also grown in northern Mendoza, introduced to the region by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the fluctuations in its wine production over the years, Argentina has proven itself to be a dependable, not to mention formidable, player in the winemaking arena. After much work and dedication, it has definitely earned a well-deserved level of respect, and has secured its spot among the some of the best producers in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-achaval-ferrer-finca-bella-vista","title":"Achaval Ferrer, Finca Bella Vista","description":"NA","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2008 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400213659803,"sku":"100057720080600750","price":700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2011 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400213692571,"sku":"100057720110600750","price":940.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2013 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400213725339,"sku":"100057720130600750","price":980.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2015 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400213758107,"sku":"100057720150600750","price":910.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Achaval_20Ferrer_20-_20Finca_20Bella_20Vista_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201000577_3d75af82-9950-4ebb-99fd-fdb1bbd98ed3.png?v=1596874832"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-achaval-ferrer-finca-mirador","title":"Achaval Ferrer, Finca Mirador","description":"I was perplexed at the behavior of the 2015 Malbec Finca Mirador, so I tasted a second bottle straight away, which also showed a lack of the finesse and elegance I was expecting from the wines from Achaval Ferrer. There were earthy notes intermixed with berry and spicy aromas and a palate with grainy, astringent tannins and certainly a rustic profile. It left me scratching my head. 9,800 bottles were filled in November 2016.","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2007 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400214184091,"sku":"100058020070600750","price":1000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2008 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400214216859,"sku":"100058020080600750","price":910.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2010 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400214249627,"sku":"100058020100600750","price":1070.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2011 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400214282395,"sku":"100058020110600750","price":980.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2015 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400214610075,"sku":"100058020150600750","price":1050.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Achaval_20Ferrer_20-_20Finca_20Mirador_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201000580_4e91e4be-aa28-4a02-99da-26bddd0752cf.png?v=1596874838"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-tupungato-gran-enemigo-gualtallary-single-vineyard","title":"Aleanna, Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard","description":"The nose of the 2012 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard almost made me fall from my chair. It is the expression of elegance and austerity coupled with strong minerality. It is mostly Cabernet Franc from a very chalky vineyard in Gualtallary at 1,430 meters altitude that fermented together with a small percentage of Malbec. In 2012 they fine tuned the élevage and fermentation, which was in rolling 500-liter barrels that were new in 2006 (so by then quite neutral), where the wine was kept for one more year and then transferred to 1,000-liter egg-shaped cement vats for one further year. This reminded me of my favorite Bordeaux, Lafleur, because of the elegance, the refinement of the tannins and length. It has citric, effervescent acidity that makes you salivate. Winemaker and Owner Alejandro Vigil has done a very strict selection of the soils in the field, and only kept the very center of the vineyard where the high density (12,000 plants per hectare) generates a lot of competition, because the plants from the borders have more space in the sides, which means in 2012 he could only fill 1,800 bottles. Awesome, and ultra fresh for a vintage like 2012. Bravo!","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2015 \/ 12x750ml","offer_id":35400259338395,"sku":"144475320151200750","price":1350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2016 \/ 12x750ml","offer_id":35400259371163,"sku":"144475320161200750","price":1280.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Aleanna_20-_20Gran_20Enemigo_20Gualtallary_20Single_20Vineyard_20-_20Tupungato_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201444753_c45f1ef6-fd1d-4da0-886f-daeec821f8cc.png?v=1596875054"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-bodegas-caro-caro","title":"Bodegas Caro, Caro","description":"NA","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2005 \/ 12x750ml","offer_id":35400560246939,"sku":"124254820051200750","price":1170.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2009 \/ 12x750ml","offer_id":35400560279707,"sku":"124254820091200750","price":1440.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2010 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400560312475,"sku":"124254820100600750","price":780.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2015 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400560345243,"sku":"124254820150600750","price":780.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Bodegas_20Caro_20-_20Caro_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201242548_484db75e-9a6b-46ee-9df3-1cf6314f1a53.png?v=1596876346"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-adrianna-vineyard-white-stones-chardonnay","title":"Catena Zapata, Adrianna Vineyard White Stones Chardonnay","description":"NA","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2017 \/ 12x750ml","offer_id":35400741388443,"sku":"131381720171200750","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Catena_20Zapata_20-_20Adrianna_20Vineyard_20White_20Stones_20Chardonnay_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20White_20-_20Label_20-_201313817_66a7b07e-38b8-454d-9393-8c125ba42ecd.png?v=1596877187"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-catena-alta-malbec","title":"Catena Zapata, Catena Alta Malbec","description":"NA","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"1997 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400742469787,"sku":"130916219970600750","price":1100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1999 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400742731931,"sku":"130916219990600750","price":1100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Catena_20Zapata_20-_20Catena_20Alta_20Malbec_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201309162.png?v=1596877191"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-malbec-argentino","title":"Catena Zapata, Malbec Argentino","description":"The 2009 Malbec Argentino is a blend of the vineyards of Adrianna and Nicasia and is 20% whole cluster and 80% whole berry fruit. The former is co-fermented with Viognier and the latter co-fermented with Cabernet Franc. It is aged in French oak barrels, of which 60% are new. It has a more opulent bouquet than the individual blends, with dark cherries, iodine, minerals and blueberry that are all beautifully defined. The palate has a dense, weighty entry with layers of ripe blackberry and boysenberry fruit laced with crushed stone and a touch of graphite. The finish is supremely well-defined and focused, with immense length on the finish. Drink 2013-2030.","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2009 \/ 12x750ml","offer_id":35400743026843,"sku":"123212320091200750","price":1510.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2010 \/ 12x750ml","offer_id":35400743321755,"sku":"123212320101200750","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Catena_20Zapata_20-_20Malbec_20Argentino_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201232123.png?v=1596877195"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-malbec-nicasia","title":"Catena Zapata, Malbec Nicasia","description":"The Catena Zapata icons begin with the 2008 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec, which spent 18 months in 100% new French barriques. A glass-coating opaque purple\/black, it offers up a super-fragrant nose of toasty new oak, earth notes, exotic spices, black cherry and black raspberry. This is followed by a plush, layered, intensely flavored, rich wine with potential complexity, precision, balance, and a seamless finish. Give it 4-6 years of cellaring and drink it through 2028.","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2008 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400744304795,"sku":"123211020080600750","price":1240.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2012 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400744337563,"sku":"123211020120600750","price":1075.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Catena_20Zapata_20-_20Malbec_20Nicasia_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201232110_91e0d605-1366-42cd-bef7-56b2fcb1a04e.png?v=1596877198"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-malbec-nicasia-vineyard-consulta","title":"Catena Zapata, Malbec Nicasia Vineyard Consulta","description":"NA","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2009 \/ 12x750ml","offer_id":35400745222299,"sku":"124958920091200750","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Catena_20Zapata_20-_20Malbec_20Nicasia_20Vineyard_20Consulta_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201249589.png?v=1596877202"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-nicolas-catena-zapata","title":"Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena Zapata","description":"Along with the 2014 vintage, I also tasted the 2015 Nicolás Catena Zapata. The 2015 is higher in Cabernet Sauvignon, which represents 83% of the final blend, while Malbec comprises the remaining 17%. It feels quite ripe, with notes of cherries and an earthy touch. It's juicy and soft, very approachable, even though it has the Cabernet's textbook tannins. 72,000 bottles produced.","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2003 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400746729627,"sku":"123210720030600750","price":860.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2006 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400746762395,"sku":"123210720060600750","price":880.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2011 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400746795163,"sku":"123210720110600750","price":1000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2016 \/ 3x3L","offer_id":35400746827931,"sku":"123210720160303000","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Catena_20Zapata_20-_20Nicolas_20Catena_20Zapata_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201232107.png?v=1596877206"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-cheval-andes","title":"Cheval Andes","description":"The 2010 Cheval des Andes is produced with grapes grown at an old vineyard (planted in 1929) at Las Compuertas, in the Luján de Cuyo department of Mendoza plus grapes from La Consulta in the Uco Valley. The blend changes with each vintage and in 2010 they had very good Petit Verdot so the percentage of it is higher than ever. It's a blend of 60% Malbec and 20% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The wine shows great integration of the oak, with notes of blackcurrant and spices (black pepper), showing restraint and incipient elegance along with underbrush and hints of truffles. I think I've never seen such an elegant Cheval des Andes. The palate reveals very good balance between power and elegance with ripe, fine-grained tannins, good length and freshness. Stronger balsamic notes emerge with time in the glass. This is one of the finest vintages of Cheval des Andes, challenged maybe... by 2011! Keep an eye open for these two vintages. 60,000 bottles produced.","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2010 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400858632347,"sku":"108323320100600750","price":1130.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2012 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400858665115,"sku":"108323320120600750","price":730.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2013 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400858697883,"sku":"108323320130600750","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2015 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400858730651,"sku":"108323320150600750","price":890.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2016 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35400858796187,"sku":"108323320160600750","price":890.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Cheval_20Andes_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201083233.png?v=1596877748"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-tupungato-gran-enemigo-gualtallary-single-vineyard-cabernet-franc","title":"El Enemigo (Aleanna), Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc","description":"NA","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2013 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35401473228955,"sku":"137189720130600750","price":1075.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2014 \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":35401473294491,"sku":"137189720140600750","price":740.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-El_20Enemigo_20_Aleanna_20-_20Gran_20Enemigo_20Gualtallary_20Single_20Vineyard_20Cabernet_20Franc_20-_20Tupungato_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201371897.png?v=1596880138"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-uco-valley-familia-zuccardi-finca-piedra-infinita-paraje-altamira","title":"Familia Zuccardi, Finca Piedra Infinita Paraje Altamira","description":"NA","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2016 \/ 3x750ml","offer_id":35401519300763,"sku":"136475020160300750","price":860.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/default_e6dcb8f3-ca53-45ac-ab58-73c0456be460.jpg?v=1596880423"},{"product_id":"argentina-mendoza-na-poesia-poesia","title":"Poesia, Poesia","description":"The 2006 Poesia has a more open nose than the 2005, with a crisp blackberry, raspberry leaf, mulberry and crushed violets-scented bouquet that gathers momentum with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, with an exuberant dark plum-driven entry matched by crisp acidity and a firm, but not intrusive, structure on the focused finish. This is maturing superbly. Drink now-2022.","brand":"wwus-dev","offers":[{"title":"2006 \/ 12x750ml","offer_id":35402545201307,"sku":"120870020061200750","price":1080.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/products\/Bottle-Poesia_20-_20Poesia_20-_20NA_20-_20Mendoza_20-_20Red_20-_20Label_20-_201208700.png?v=1596887156"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0454\/4108\/9691\/collections\/argentina.jpg?v=1596793114","url":"https:\/\/wwus-dev.myshopify.com\/collections\/wine-list-argentina.oembed","provider":"wwus-dev","version":"1.0","type":"link"}