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When You Think Fine Wines, Think Argentine Wines

Chances are that not many people who love wine actually think of Argentina when they consider their list of great growing regions around the world. However, there are a few reasons why this thinking is wrong. The climate of this beautiful South American country is perfect for winemaking, and is varied enough throughout so as to support a wide variety of wines. Many connoisseurs are beginning to understand why Argentine wines are fine enough to be considered some of the best in the world.

The history of Argentine wines is not a long and rich one as is the history of winemaking in France or Italy, but what Argentineans lack in history they more than make up for in quality. Much of this is due to the weather in this beautiful country. There are more sunny days during the year than not, allowing the grapes to mature properly so as to have the best flavor possible. The soil of Argentina is rich and well cared for; the lack of erosion has continued to keep it healthy. Most wines from Argentine respond to this combination of factors because of the beautiful fruit that is produced in the country.

The vineyards that produce Argentine wine are usually very small but are owned and operated by those who consider their wine to be works of art. For example, in Finca la Anita, there are only seventy hectares (one hundred acres) of land, which is rather tiny compared to many other vineyards of the world, but they produce a product that is nothing less than the end result of obsession. They are a favorite stop for many wine tasting tours. Another favorite stop is Pena Veyrat Durbex, where the grapes are still clipped by hand. This is yet another Argentine vineyard that is family owned and operated, and the family's pride in their product is obvious.

This is true of most Argentine wines. They are not mass produced in huge wineries or distilleries, or are overseen by someone just hired to do a job. Their vineyards are usually very small and still run by the same families that have owned them for literally centuries. And since their name is on the label, these families take an inordinate amount of pride in their finished product.

Argentine wines come in a wide variety of red and white types. You can easily find Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Tempranillo, Merlot and Pinot Noir. White wines include Chardonnay, Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling and Viognier.

If you haven't considered Argentine wines as being part of your collection of fine wines, you may need to adjust your thinking. You can find some wonderful products from this beautiful country.

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David Cowley has created numerous articles on Wines. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to wine information. Visit Wine Information

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