Photo courtesy of www.vineconections.com

The Uco Valley

Geography: South of Mendoza City and slightly to the West, between 3,000 – 5,000 ft. above sea level

Profile: The Uco Valley (Valle de Uco) is arguably Mendoza’s region with the most prestige, thanks to the architecturally impressive wineries that riddle the landscape and the suburb grapes that their vineyards produce.  The large thermal amplitude (difference in temperature between day and night) produces wines with high intensity colors, firm tanins and vibrant floral notes. Foreign investment in the past decade has more than doubled grape production and now the region is home to some of the most famous names in winemaking.

Grapes: Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Viognier

Sub-Regions: Tupungato, Tunuyán, Vista Flores, La Consulta, San Carlos

Lujan de Cuyo

Geography: South-west of Mendoza City, between 2,100 – 3,500 ft. above sea level

Profile: Second to the Uco Valley, Lujan is widely considered the most important wine region for the production of Malbec.  The area is irrigated by small canals, which are fed by the snow-melt waters of the Mendoza River.

Grapes: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Semillon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Eastern Mendoza Region

Geography: East of Mendoza, between 2,000 – 2,500 ft. above sea level

Profile: Traditionally the principal grape-producing region, this region is home to some of the oldest vines in the country and still produces nearly 50% of Mendoza’s grapes.  Fed by the snow-melt waters brought down by the Tunuyán and Mendoza Rivers and rich with coarse, deep soils that provide excellent drainage, this region produces full-bodied, fruity wines.

Sub-Regions: Rivadavia, Junín, San Martín

Northern Mendoza Region

Geography: North of Mendoza, between 1,800 – 2,300 ft.

Profile: This region is rich with deep, fine soils, irrigated by the Mendoza River and is known for producing fruity, young wines.

Grapes: Chenin Blanc, Pedro Ximenez, Ugni Blanc and Torrontes Riojano

Southern Mendoza Region

Geography: South of Mendoza, slightly lower elevation sitting between 1,400 – 2,600 ft.

Profile: Home to traditional wineries with large scale productions of fruity whites and reds, as well as many sparkling wines that are gaining attention in the marketplace.  The region is irrigated by the Atuel and Diamante rivers.  Annual hailstorms are the main threat to the area, which is home not only to many vineyards but also fruit farms and olive orchards.

Sub-Regions: San Rafael and General Alvear