Mendoza wine

Nestled at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Argentina, Mendoza is famous for its stunning landscapes, delicious steaks and world-class wines. Producing nearly two-thirds of Argentina’s wine, Mendoza is a haven for winemaking and home to a range of talented winemakers. It’s best known for its Malbec – a grape variety originally from France that thrives in Mendoza’s high-altitude vineyards, producing rich wines with intense blackberry, plum and vanilla flavours and often a smoky, earthy undertone.

Mendoza also grows a significant amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, producing wines with ripe fruit flavours and strong tannins.

You’ll also find other grape varieties here, such as Torrontés, Chardonnay and Bonarda, providing an array of wine styles for all tastes.

Winemaking in Mendoza began with the arrival of the first Spanish settlers in the 16th century. However, it wasn’t until the mid-19th century when a French agricultural engineer, Michel Pouget, introduced the Malbec vine, that the region’s winemaking truly took off.

With the combination of French varieties and Italian and Spanish winemaking traditions, Mendoza’s domestic wine production boomed. But the region didn’t shift its attention towards creating high-quality wines until the 1900s, when Mendoza began to attract international attention and recognition for its exceptional Malbec wines.

Mendoza’s vineyards were once dominated by the Cereza and Criolla Grande grapes, used mainly for inexpensive sweet wines. But in recent decades, the region has increasingly turned to premium red varieties, particularly Malbec, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The star wine from Mendoza is undoubtedly Malbec. Originally from France, the Malbec grape found its true home in the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza. Today, Argentine Malbec is internationally recognised for its intensely fruity, full-bodied wines that showcase flavours of blackberry, plum and often a hint of vanilla. 

After Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon is Mendoza’s second most planted red grape. The wines are full-bodied and tannic, with flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry and often a touch of eucalyptus. While Mendoza is renowned for its red wines, don’t overlook its white wines. The region produces a variety of fresh and vibrant Torrontés and Chardonnay wines.

Torrontés is a native Argentinian grape known for its fresh aromas, sharp acidity and summery fruit flavours. While Chardonnay from Mendoza offers a unique zesty freshness with stone fruit flavours. When aged in oak barrels, it takes on nutty, toasty notes and a creamy texture reminiscent of butterscotch.

• Maipu: One of Argentina’s most traditional winemaking regions, Maipú is located southeast of the City of Mendoza and is known for its full-bodied Malbec wines. Planted at high altitudes of around 2,600 feet, the vineyards enjoy plenty of sun with cool night breezes from the Andes. This significant temperature difference is key to the grapes’ acidity and complex flavours. This area is also known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
• Luján de Cuyo: Located to the south of Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo was Mendoza’s first designated wine region. It is highly regarded for producing some of Argentina’s best Malbec wines, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrontés and Chardonnay.
• Uco Valley: Also in the south, Uco Valley’s high-altitude vineyards enjoy a cool climate and excellent sun exposure, making it home to high-quality Malbec, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Torrontés and Chardonnay wines.
• San Rafael: Located in the southern part of Mendoza Province, San Rafael is a cooler region with winemakers there growing a wide range of grape varieties, including Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay.

As a general rule, the big flavours of Mendoza’s wines demand equally big flavours in food. Here are some of our top recommendations:

Malbec: With its rich, fruity character, Malbec pairs well with hearty foods. Argentinian steak is a classic, but also think grilled lamb or hard cheeses.

Cabernet Sauvignon: The full-bodied nature of Cabernet Sauvignon makes it an excellent match for beef dishes, whether it’s a roast or a juicy burger.

Chardonnay: Full-bodied Chardonnay pairs well with richer dishes such as roast chicken, creamy pasta or lobster.

Torrontés: Bucking the trend for Mendoza wines, the crisp and floral Torrontés works well with lighter dishes. Try it with a summer salad, seafood or spicy Asian cuisine.

Discover more tips in our beginner's guide to food and wine pairing.