Mendoza

Mendoza is calm and traditional as well as dynamic and modern. The city has a heavy European influence with a countryside feel. Here the Latin gauchos live harmoniously among the warm and friendly people of the city, the “mendocinans.” There are 200,000 inhabitants within the city perimeters, but 1 million in the greater Mendoza region. The city enjoys “siestas” (naps) in the afternoons, and its busy outdoor parks, restaurants, and pubs at night.

Wine regions

From the very north to the south of the Andes, Argentina has interesting and unique wine regions, with Malbec as the emblematic red varietal. Mendoza, located at the centre west of Argentina at the foot of the Andes, hosts the main wine regions.

Lujan de Cuyo:

An enchanting wine region rich in traditional history and dotted with old vineyards and olive groves, located just 20 minutes from Mendoza City. Considered the most important region to cultivate Malbec grapes, Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu, also known as the Upper Mendoza River, are located between 2,100- 3500 feet above sea level and irrigated by small canals fed by the snow-melt waters of the Mendoza River. This growing environment provides ideal conditions for the best Malbecs in the world. Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz and some Sangiovese are also cultivated. Whites such as Semillon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are being recognized for their outstanding potential.

Valle de Uco:

Lying at the south-western slopes of the Frontal Range of the Andes is an expansive magnificent agricultural valley known as Uco Valley. With growing fame for its beauty and grape quality, the region has benefited from international investments, doubling grape production in the past 10 years. With an elevation between 3,000 – 5 ,000 feet above sea level, the grape maturation is slowed due to cooler nights with balanced sugar level from hot sunny days. Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon all do very well and more Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Viognier are being planted. Irrigated by snowmelt waters and tapped crystal clean aquifers, these high quality grapes are characterized by high extraction of color, tannins and pronounced floral notes.

Southern Mendoza Region:

San Rafael and General Alvear, two separate counties in southern Mendoza, come together as a wine producing powerhouse. The small charming cities, beautiful canyons and well irrigated green areas are delightful to visit if you have a few days in Mendoza. Traditional wineries with large production of fruity white and red wines as well as sparkling wines are characteristic of the region. The growing environment is lower in elevation, between 1400 and 2600 feet above sea level, with consistently warm days and nights and has an abundance of water from the Atuel and Diamante Rivers, which allow the grapes to fully ripen. Annual hail storms are the largest hazard to vineyards, olive, and fruit orchards.

Eastern Mendoza Region:

The Eastern Mendoza Region represents 50% of grape cultivation in Mendoza and is located between 2,000 to 2,850 feet above sea level, irrigated by the snow melt waters of the Tunuyan and Mendoza Rivers. Deep coarse soils with excellent drainage yield grapes of high quality with fruity, fully bodied and structured with a delicate varietal expression.

Northern Mendoza Region:

The Northern Mendoza is the lowest in elevation, ranging between 2,300 and 1,800 feet above sea level, and irrigated from the Mendoza River. This region is characterized by its deep fine soils and fruity young wine production. Chenin Blanc, Pedro Ximenez, Ugni Blanc and Torrontes Riojano are common whites. Less intensely colored red wines with marked with varietal characters such as Malbec, Syrah and Bonarda lead the way.

Climate and Geography

The city of Mendoza is an oasis amid an almost desert like high plain. The anti-cyclonic winds of the Pacific Ocean blow west to east and upon crossing the mountains lose their humidity. Thus, they descend warm and dry toward the plain. Only 5% of the province is cultivated and the area receives around 8 inches of rain per year. Locals are grateful for the shade cast by the many giant sycamore trees that line the town thanks to vast network of aqueducts, dykes and acequias.

The annual average temperature is 32º (73º in summer, 75ºc in winter). More than 50% of the territory is 3,300 ft above sea level. Mendoza city is at an altitude of 2,460ft and the mountain range wall governs the climate of Mendoza. Its highest point is the Aconcagua Peak (22,841 feet above sea level) and is located within the borders of Mendoza.