ARGENTINSKA VINA

Bogata vina pod sjenom velianstvenih Anda.

Iako je vinova loza stigla u Argentinu zajedno sa panjolskim kolonizatorima jo u 16.
stoljeu, prisutnost argentinskih vina na svjetskoj sceni poprilino je kratka. Sve do
devedesetih godina dvadesetog stoljea, ova je zemlja bila najvei proizvoa vina
izvan Europe, no kvantiteta pritom nije podrazumijevala i kvalitetu . Gotovo sve
koliine konzumirale su se unutar granice drave jer se nisu smatrale dovoljno
dobrim za izvoz.
Tek je elja za prodiranjem na strano trite dovela do buenja uspavanog diva i
poboljanja kvalitete. Danas je ova zemlja najvei izvoznik vina u Junoj Americi i
esti najvei proizvoa vina na svijetu. Argentinska vina postaju sve popularnija i
priznatija i na globalnoj enolokoj sceni.
Veina argentinskih vinskih regija nalazi se u zapadnom dijelu drave podno Andi.
Velianstveni planinski lanac spreava prodor vlage iz kinih oblaka, stoga se
vinorodna podruja odlikuju suhom, polupustinjskom klimom. Argentinski
komercijalni vinogradi meu najviima su na svijetu, jer se vinova loza uglavnom
uzgaja na nadmorskim visinama veim od 600 metara s hladnijim temperaturama.
Upravo te klimatoloke osobitosti daju argentinskom vinu njegov specifian karakter
jaa izloenost groa UV zraenju rezultira plodovima deblje koe, pa je vino
snano, sono i tamno s veom koliinom tanina i izraenijom kiselou. Uz to,
zahvaljujui nadmorskoj visini i suhoi glavnih argentinskih vinskih regija, kukci,
plijesan, bolesti loze i ostale neprilike koje pogaaju vinograde u ostalim dravama
rijetkost su u Argentini.
Dok su u Argentini nairoko prisutni chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon i ostale
standardne vrste groa, pravi dragulj u vinskoj kruni jest malbec. Iako je
podrijetlom iz Francuske, ovo tamno, robusno groe sve se vie poistovjeuje s
Argentinom, a malbec vino prava je zvijezda u usponu moan eliksir tintasto crne
boje koji obiluje karakterom. Najcjenjenija malbec vina u Argentini dolaze iz njezine
najuvenije vinske regije provincije Mendoza, odnosno iz podruja s nadmorskim
visinama od 800 do 1500 metara kao to su Lujan de Cuyo i dolina Uco.
No, iako je Mendoza zasluna za proizvodnju ak osamdeset posto izvoza
argentinskog vina, to ne znai da su ostale vinske regije za baciti. Tu je i Salta na
sjeveru drave sa svojim kvalitetnim cabernet sauvignonima i torrontima, Neuquen
i Rio Negro u hladnijoj klimi sjevera Patagonije te San Juan i La Rioja, regije koje se
tek nalaze u usponu. Uostalom, vinska kultura proima itavu Argentinu, i to do te
mjere da je argentinska vlada 2010. godine proglasila vino slubenim nacionalnim
piem!

Wines of Argentina

Rich wines under the shadow of the majestic Andes.

Although the vines arrived in Argentina together with the Spanish colonizers in the
16th century, the presence of Argentine wines on the world stage is quite short.
Until the nineties of the twentieth century, this country was the largest producer of
wine outside Europe, but the quantity didnt implied the quality. Nearly all produced
wine was consumed within the borders of the state, because it wasnt considered
well enough to export.
The desire to penetrate the foreign market led to the awakening of the sleeping
giant and quality improvement. Today, the country is the largest wine exporter in
South America and the sixth largest wine producer in the world. Argentine wines are
becoming more popular and acknowledged on the global oenological scene.
Most of Argentina's wine region is located in the western part of the state, under the
Andes. Magnificent mountain range prevents moisture from rain clouds, so the winegrowing areas are characterized by a dry , semi-desert climate. Argentinas
commercial vineyards are among the highest in the world, because grapes are
mainly cultivated at altitudes greater than 600 meters at lower temperatures.
These climatological characteristics give the Argentine wine its unique character strong exposure to UV radiation results in thicker skin of the grapes, so the wine is
powerful, juicy and dark with plenty of tannins and pronounced acidity. In addition,
due to the altitude and dryness of the main Argentine wine regions, insects, mildew,
vine diseases, and other troubles that affect vineyards of other countries, are
uncommon in Argentina.
While Chardonnay , Merlot , Cabernet Sauvignon and other standard types of
grapes are widely present in Argentina, a real jewel in the vine crown is the Malbec.
Although, this grape variety comes from France, the dark , robust grapes are
identified with Argentina, and Malbec wine is a true rising star - a powerful elixir with
ink black color that has a rich character. The most appreciated Malbec wines in
Argentina come from her most famous wine region - Province of Mendoza, i.e. from
areas with altitudes from 800 to 1500 meters such as Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley .
Although Mendoza is responsible for the production of eighty percent of Argentine
wine for export, this does not mean that other wine regions are trash. There is also

Salta in the north of the country with its high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and
Torront, than there are Neuqun and Rio Negro in the colder climate of northern
Patagonia, as well as San Juan and La Rioja, regions that are on the rise. After all,
wine culture pervades the whole of Argentina to the extent that the Argentine
government, in 2010, declared the wine as the official national drink!