The best wines from Patagonia

Nestled in the Southern region of Argentina it encompasses the wine growing provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro and part of La Pampa, which distinguish themselves with the cooler climates than the more northern provinces, resulting in more similarity to European style cooler climate wines.

With the increase of interest in growing wine in this cooler climate it still only accounts for less than 2% of the total wine stocks planted in Argentina. Most of the vineyards are planted along the banks and basins of the rivers in the area’s like the Río Negro, Río Colorado Río Limay and Río Neuquén. With lower altitudes in combination with the latitudes being further south than South Africa.

While Malbec retains significance, Pinot Noir is taking the spotlight as Patagonia's signature grape, together with the other grown varieties like, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and for the whites from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling showcase the region's invigorating freshness and elegance. Embodying tradition and regional essence, Patagonia's wines reflect the finesse of prestigious grape varieties thriving in this nurturing environment, embodying the region's heritage and an inherent elegance.

Suppliers in Patagonia

Chacra
All wines in Patagonia
Patagonia

Terroir and Grapes of wines from Patagonia

Patagonia's desert landscape allows vines to be grown only near rivers, where meltwater from the Andes ensures ample irrigation. The desert climate, characterized by warm days and cold nights, caused by the latitude instead of the higher altitudes like in the Mendoza region. Where severe drought is the norm and lots of sun exposure while being provided moisture by the river banks, it combines to a prolonged growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly, thus developing rich varietal characteristics with elegance and balanced flavours with good aromatic intensities.

Further south in Patagonia, the area has a shorter season for grapes to grow due to frost, causing difficulties for varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon that undergo a more gradual ripening process. Impressive cool-climate whites including Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay are produced in the extreme as well as isolated southern region of Trevelin in the province Chubut.

Classifications of wines from Patagonia

The National Viticulture Institute (NVI) created initially the Indicaciones Geográficas (Geographical Indications, or GIs in English). The GI classifications include the area’s of Río Negro, Neuquén and Chubut. This classification certifies that the origin of the grapes is verified to derive from the province, municipality, district or non-political zone, like the geographical region Patagonia.



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