Mendoza Wines

Wine Regions of Mendoza

Mendoza can be largely split into 5 areas: North, East, Central, Uco Valley and the South all with distinct characteristics. Often, grapes from different parts of Mendoza are blended to give winemakers as much range as possible in their wines.

The north and east parts of Mendoza make up the lowest areas on the valley plains, with the warmest condtions meaning they are best for inexpensive volume production. Central Mendoza, also known as the ‘Primera Zona’, owing to its long history of producing high quality wine, is home to many leading producers. It also hosts prestigious departments (a bit like sub-regions), the two most famous of which are Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina's first DOC, and Maipu. There are also more GIs than any other province, which are a bit like premier crus in France, indicating an area recognised for specific climate and soil characteristics.

The Uco Valley is also located here and has a number of recognisable GIs to its name as well. It is another home of Malbec and boasts the highest vineyards in Mendoza reaching up to 1500m above sea level. Finally, in Southern Mendoza, vineyards turn to low elevation again, but the climate is cooler as they are further from the equator. Argentina's only other DOC, San Rafael, is located here. Despite this, southern Mendoza unfairly doesn't have much of a repuation as the fame of the other regions eclipses it, even though often the grapes from here are used in blends for good quality Mendoza wines.