 Argentina’s name is derived from the Latin
word Argentum, meaning silver
 The region that is now Argentina has been
inhabited by indigenous groups since at least
11,000 BC
 Europeans arrived in the area in 1516, led by
Spanish explorer Juan Diaz de Solis
 The May Revolution took place May 18 to 25,
1810 in the capital, Buenos Aires
 After hearing that Napoleon had invaded
Spain, the people of Argentina began their
war of independence, which lasted from 1810
to 1818
 Argentina declared independence on July 9,
1816
 Argentina is very urbanized – 90% of its population
lives in the cities
 Argentina’s population is estimated at around 40
million people
 Greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area has become
one of the largest urban areas in the world
 Gouchos are nomadic, South American cowboys who
are responsible for the high quality steaks for which
Argentina is known
 The gauchos served as a nationalistic symbol to
represent freedom during the Argentinean revolution
and journey for independence
 The Tango originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Located in southern South America
 World's largest Spanish-speaking country
 Argentina’s capital is Buenos Aires, the
second largest city in South America
 Argentina can be divided into six regions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Gran Chaco
Mesopotamia
the Pampas
Patagonia
Cuyo - Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo
Argentine Northwest
 Major rivers include Parana, Pilcomayo,
Paraguay, Uruguay, and the Colorado
 Temperate climate, which ranges all the way
from subtropical to sub polar (just north of
Antarctica)
 Major geographic features include the Andes
Mountains
 Mendoza is the capital city of the Mendoza
Province
 Two of the main industries are olive oil
production and winemaking
 The region around greater Mendoza is the
largest wine producing area in Latin
America
 Mendoza is one of nine cities worldwide in
the network of Great Capitals of Wine
 The city is an emerging enotourism (wine
tourism) destination
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 Five primary wine growing regions
1. Northern
2. Eastern
3. Central – Luján de Cuyo
4. Uco Valley
5. Southern
 Accounts for nearly 80% of the country's entire
wine production
 Dusty, arid countryside with young dry,
rocky and sandy soils and only 7-9” of
rainfall per year – 300+ days of sun per
year
 Hot, desert-like climates by day and cool
mountain nights
 High altitude creates a unique
microclimate that distinguishes Mendoza
from the rest of the world, with
vineyards planted at 1,500 – 5,580 ft and
annual temperatures of 59˚F - 65˚F
 Due to very little rainfall, the Andes
provide the most important source of
water via melted snow, controlled
through an indigenous irrigation system
of rivers and irrigation canals
 Altitude: 600-1,100m (2,000-3,600ft)
 Key sub-regions: Maipú, Luján de Cuyo,
Lunlunta, Agrelo
 Argentina’s wine heritage was born in the
Central Region
 Malbec was first planted in Agrelo
 Luján de Cuyo and Maipú are two of the
region’s most traditional terroirs
 Carved out by the Mendoza River, the Central
Valley benefits from old alluvial deposits and
the disintegration of minerals from the Andes
 An area of the Central Region situated in the upper Mendoza Valley
 Many vineyards sit at altitudes of around 3,280 ft
 Historically known as the “Primera Zona” – it stands out in Mendoza for
producing high quality grapes
 The first delineated appellation for the purposes of wine production in 1993
 Key varietals: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay & Torrontes
 Majority of vineyards are on alluvial soils; sandy or stony surfaces on clay substrata
In 1888, Italian immigrants planted the first vines in the Vistalba Valley, Lujan de Cuyo district,
Mendoza. Originally the vineyards consisted of different European varietals, but over time, Malbec
and Bonarda dominated the landscape of Vistalba´s vineyards. Now, 120 years later, shoots from
mother vines continue producing groundbreaking wines.
 Pioneering Malbec & Bonarda since 1888
 Leading position with Malbec & groundbreaking work
with Bonarda
 Unique and privileged terroir
 Three outstanding estate vineyards located in the Primera
Zona, Luján de Cuyo, provide wines with unique
characteristics achieved from the best combination of
altitude, climate and soil at the foot of the Andes
 Head Winemakers Roberto Jesus Gonzales & Tomas
Hughes
 Wisdom gained over time influences winemaking – these
two men have worked together for more than 20 years at
Nieto Senetiner
 External Advisor – Paul Hobbs