Argentina has been making wine since Spanish missionaries brought vine cuttings to the South American country over 400 years ago. However, until the early 1970’s, most of the wine produced was rustic in nature and intended mostly for domestic use.
The rising popularity of Malbec on the international wine stage, combined with a stable government and rebounding economy, was just what the Argentine wine industry needed to jumpstart their exports. As demand for Argentinean wines began to increase, producers expanded their plantings to include syrah, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, pinot gris, riesling and sauvignon blanc. But it is malbec that continues to be Argentina’s wine mascot, particularly in the United States.
DC Examiner February 24, 2011 – Wines of Argentina – The Vine Guy
