South America

Argentina

The high-altitude land of Malbec - bold, perfumed reds from the foothills of the Andes plus the world's most aromatic white grape, Torrontés.

Argentina is the world's fifth-largest wine producer and the country most closely associated with one grape: Malbec. Planted at dazzling altitude on the eastern slopes of the Andes, Argentine Malbec is soft, plush and deeply flavoured, with dark fruit, violets and a distinctive velvety texture.

The centre of gravity is Mendoza, where vineyards climb to 1,000-1,500 metres and the intense sun and cool nights preserve acidity. Around it, the Calchaquí Valleys in the north grow Torrontés, Argentina's aromatic white signature, while Patagonia in the south is emerging as a cool-climate star.

Argentine wine offers remarkable value, especially at the $10-$25 level, and works beautifully with the country's great barbecue culture - it is steak's best friend.

🍷 Wine fact: Mendoza's vineyards sit at some of the highest altitudes on earth - often above 1,000m - which gives intense sunlight for ripe fruit but cool nights that keep the wines fresh.

Continent

South America

Signature grape

Malbec

Altitude

Up to 1,500m

Key region

Mendoza

Wine Regions

All regions →

Mendoza

Western Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes about 1,000km west of Buenos Aires.

Notable Wines

Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino

Mendoza · 2024 (representative vintage)

Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino is an red wine from Argentina, in the Mendoza region (Western Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes about 1,000km west of Buenos Aires.), made principally from Malbec. The high-altitude single-vineyard Malbec that proved Argentina's signature grape could make world-class wine.

$90–$150 est. retail

Bodega Catena Zapata Riviera

Mendoza · 2024 (representative vintage)

Bodega Catena Zapata Riviera is an red wine from Argentina, in the Mendoza region (Western Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes about 1,000km west of Buenos Aires.), made principally from Malbec. A headline Andean Malbec from Catena's Adrianna Vineyard, prized for its high-altitude purity.

$150–$240 est. retail

Cheval des Andes

Mendoza · 2024 (representative vintage)

Cheval des Andes is an red wine from Argentina, in the Mendoza region (Western Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes about 1,000km west of Buenos Aires.), made principally from Malbec. The LVMH–Terrazas joint venture Malbec-Cabernet blend — Mendoza meets Bordeaux structure.

$120–$190 est. retail

Mendoza Malbec

Mendoza · 2024 (representative vintage)

Mendoza Malbec is an red wine from Argentina, in the Mendoza region (Western Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes about 1,000km west of Buenos Aires.), made principally from Malbec. a house-style Mendoza malbec that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon

Mendoza · 2024 (representative vintage)

Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon is an red wine from Argentina, in the Mendoza region (Western Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes about 1,000km west of Buenos Aires.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. a house-style Mendoza cabernet sauvignon that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Mendoza Bonarda

Mendoza · 2024 (representative vintage)

Mendoza Bonarda is an red wine from Argentina, in the Mendoza region (Western Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes about 1,000km west of Buenos Aires.), made principally from Bonarda. a house-style Mendoza bonarda that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Buying Argentina Wine

› Mendoza Malbec is the essential purchase; look for 'Luján de Cuyo' and 'Uco Valley' sub-regions for the finest and most structured examples.
› Torrontés from Salta's Calchaquí Valleys is the country's great aromatic white - intensely floral, grapey and perfect with spicy food.
› For value, the $10-$20 bracket is superb; premium bottles from Catena, Zuccardi and Achaval-Ferrer are world-class and still less expensive than comparable Napa or Bordeaux.