Where will the major grape-growing companies choose to go first in the future?

According to a June 1, 2017 report by Argentina's "Cronista," our Lanyu's biggest client, namely China's largest red wine enterprise, Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co., Ltd., acquired three wineries under Chile's Bethia Group - Vi?a Ind?mita, Santa Alicia, and Dos Andes in Argentina - for 50 million US dollars on Tuesday of this week, with the transaction expected to be completed in June this year. Through this acquisition, Changyu became, in an indirect way, the first Chinese enterprise to invest in the Argentine red wine market.

Dos Andes winery is located in Neuquen Province and was founded in 1986. At present, the winery has an annual red wine output of 2.3 million liters and a vineyard area of 220 hectares, and mainly includes red wine brands such as Calafate, Chalten, and Ruta22.A. Chile's Bethia Group acquired the above three wineries (including Dos Andes winery) owned by the Corpora Group for 52 million US dollars in 2012.

Argentina Wine Map

Argentina has 9 major wine regions, namely Catamarca, Salta, and Tucuman in the northern region; La Rioja, Mendoza, and San Juan in the Cuyo region; and La Pampa, Neuquen, and Rio Negro in Patagonia.

1. Catamarca

Catamarca's winegrowing area is located in the western part of the province, and the main winemaking area is in Tinogasta, which accounts for nearly 70% of the province's grape plantings. In addition, other grape-growing areas in the province include Belen, Fiambala, and Santa María. The most typical grape varieties in these areas are Torrontes and Cabernet Sauvignon. Among them, Rioja Torrontes white wine has a rich aroma, medium body, high alcohol, medium acidity, and obvious fruity and floral notes.

2. Salta

The grape region of Salta Province is the highest-altitude grape-growing area in the world, with the highest point reaching up to 10,210 feet above sea level. The province's most outstanding region is Cafayate, which accounts for more than 70% of the vineyards in the Calchaquíes Valleys, and the region's most outstanding grape variety is Torrontes.

3. Tucuman

Tucuman is one of the highest valleys in the world. This area extends northward from the Salta region and southward from Catamarca. The main grape varieties planted are Tannat, Malbec, Syrah, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Torrontes.

4. La Rioja

Most of the vineyards in the La Rioja region are located in small irrigated valleys in the western part of the province. Two kinds of wine are produced here: one made in an industrial way, and the other made in a traditional way, which is mostly regional wine produced by family workshops. Both white and red grape varieties are planted in the region, among which the most typical white grape is Torrontes, but there are also a small number of red grapes, such as Bonarda and Syrah.

5. Mendoza

Mendoza is Argentina's main wine-producing province, and its wine production accounts for 80% of the country's total output. Mendoza has a total of 5 relatively large oases, located respectively in the northern, eastern, central, southern, and Uco Valley areas. Among them, the northern area is very suitable for growing white grape varieties, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Ugni Blanc, and Torrontes; of course, it also grows some red grape varieties, such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, and Malbec. The white grape varieties grown in the eastern area include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Torrontes, and Viognier, while the red grape varieties include Sangiovese, Syrah, Bonarda, and Tempranillo. The most distinctive grape variety in the central area is Malbec, while the most distinctive in the southern area is Chenin Blanc. In the Uco Valley, the area with the longest history of grape growing is La Consulta, where red grape varieties such as Malbec, Merlot, and Pinot Noir are planted, while the white grape varieties are Chardonnay and Semillon.

6. San Juan

The San Juan region is Argentina's second-largest grape-growing area. It has many famous valleys and not only a warm climate but also abundant sunlight. The good growing environment gives the locally grown grapes rich flavor compounds and relatively high polyphenol content, and the wines made from them are elegant in body and full of fruit flavor. In addition, Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Chardonnay, and Torrontes are also planted in the San Juan region. It is worth mentioning that, due to its good performance, Syrah from the San Juan region is now attracting more and more attention.

7. La Pampa

La Pampa is located in a fan-shaped valley, and the main grape varieties planted in the valley include Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay.

8. Neuquen

The northern mountainous area of Neuquen Province has a dry climate and is very suitable for growing grapes. San Patricio is one of its regions, and today this place is the first choice of major grape-growing companies. The rainfall in this region is only 7 mm, and the temperature difference between day and night is as high as 20°C. Such weather conditions enable the grapes not only to grow better during the ripening season but also to accumulate more flavor compounds. The wines made in this region have rich fruit aromas, a full body, and a complex taste. The cool climate can make the wines produced delicate and elegant, such as Pinot Noir.

9. Rio Negro

Rio Negro Province is Patagonia's most outstanding wine region. It has a typical continental climate, with very cold winters and hot, dry summers. Patagonia has a unique geographical landscape, which makes the wines produced in this region not only full of character but also outstanding, with the acidity and sweetness of the wine reaching a perfect balance. The Patagonia region is mainly famous worldwide for producing white wine. The white wine made here by blending Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc has a unique and rich mineral flavor that other regions do not have. In addition, some red grape varieties are also planted here, such as Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Malbec.