If you like Malbec, there’s no finer place to sample some of the world’s best than Mendoza. Located in the foothills of the Andes, Mendoza is Argentina’s premier wine region, due to high altitudes, sunny days and perfect soil conditions. Almost two-thirds of the country’s wine is produced here in the region’s some 1,500 wineries, which makes for some pretty heady sampling.

Bodega Norton in Mendoza, Argentina's Premier Wine Region
Bodega Norton is one of Mendoza’s oldest and most famous wineries

Rent a car, tool around to wineries ranging from family-run affairs to world-famous companies, and dine on cuisine that pairs perfectly with Mendoza’s wines. Although Malbec is Argentina’s flagship wine, Argentina’s premier wine region region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo and two wines introduced by Spanish settlers, Cereza and Criolla Grande.

Mendoza is Argentina's premier wine region

Wine as been pretty much in the mix ever since Europeans settled here, with some wineries dating back to the 1800s. By the 1900s, Argentinians were consuming up to 100 liters per person a year. In the 1970s, however, people were more drawn to beer and Coca Cola (at least that’s what I was told on more than one wine tour), consuming fewer than 24 liters a year. Many wineries closed.

Today, love of Malbec has spread worldwide, and business in Mendoza is again booming. Bodega Norton, Bodegas Lopez, and Trapiche are among the oldest, biggest and best-known players, with tours and samplings that provide a good overview of the region’s history and wines. But there are also lesser-known wineries that are will worth the visit, such as Clos de Chacras, established in 1883. All four of these wineries also have on-site restaurants. Probably the most interesting thing about visiting Mendoza is that there are wines produced here that you can’t get anywhere else. I can’t imagine not bringing at least a few bottles back home.

For more information on Argentina’s premier wine region, see my article Discover Argentina’s Mendoza Wine Region, published in gettingontravel.com which has sadly folded. Here’s the PDF of the article:

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