Argentina is the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world with over 60% of production coming from the province of Mendoza. The region sees excellent conditions for climatic agriculture, with warm days, cool nights, and low humidity. The main irrigation source comes from the Mendoza River, which is fed from snowmelt run off from the Andes Mountains.

Argentina has a long history of winemaking which stretches back to the sixteenth century, to the early colonial period, when the first vines were brought over to Argentina from the Old World by the Spanish conquistadors. Wine production remained completely artisanal in Argentina for almost three centuries after the Spanish missionaries planted the first vines. Progress was stagnant until the arrival of European immigrants during the late 19th/early 20th century, which catalyzed the winemaking boom. The outbreak of phylloxera, which destroyed vineyards throughout the European continent during the latter half of the nineteenth century, as well as the political stability around the outbreak of WWI, were the major push factors that drove European immigrants to try their luck in the New World. These immigrants mainly came from winemaking countries (notably Spain, Italy and France), and they used their know-how to develop the Argentine winemaking industry.

We will sample three wines, all from the Mendoza region of Argentina:

Gen del Alma Jijiji Chenin Blanc 2022 — Gen del Alma began in 2011 when five wine-loving friends began making wine in a small winery built in 1952 in the town of Tupungato. One of the friends, Matias Prieto, farms the vineyards and makes the wines. His pioneering work helped start a trend in Argentina towards fresher and more high-toned wines. This and-harvested, single-vineyard Chenin Blanc has aromas of dried chamomile, spiced apples, dried mango, smoked almonds, honeysuckle, and a touch of orange zest. Medium-bodied with sharp acidity. Fragrant, vibrant and energetic. Rating: 91, James Suckling. 12.5% ABV. $22.99/7.50

Chakana Estate Malbec 2020 — Chakana is the name of the Southern Cross constellation. Its rotation in the sky throughout the year made it an effective agricultural calendar for the ancient Andean people. The "yaguarete" (jaguar) on the label was known by the ancient Andean people as the "lord of the starred night" — the wildest known animal. 2020 was a warm and dry year with ripe grapes, but they managed to keep the 2020 Estate Selection Malbec quite balanced and fresh. Typical of Malbec, the wine is a deep, intense purple. Plum, brambly berries, spices and an iris/violet note are apparent on the nose. Intense, fruity flavors with velvety tannins. Rating: 93, Vinuous. 14.5% ABV. $30/10

Zorzal Eggo Franco Cabernet Franc 2017 — The highest winery in Mendoza, Zorzal sits on a 70-hectare parcel (175 acres) of prime land in the heard of one of the finest wine growing regions in the world: the Uco Valley. Dusty cherry and berry aromas are earthy and highly natural, with no overripe notes or oak. A full, ripe palate offers fine balance between weight and elegance, while this tastes of clean black fruits prior to a finish with dry tannins. Fresh and exact, with little of the herbal character that often comes with Cab Franc. Fermented in cement eggs, the absence of oak shows the naked tannins and provides an earthy quality. Rating: 93, Wine Enthusiast. 13.8% ABV. $36.50/12

See you Friday!