Mendoza is the engine of Argentine wine, the high desert province in the Andean foothills that makes close to two-thirds of everything the country bottles. This is Malbec country above all: deeply coloured, scented with violet, plush with ripe plum and blackberry. Cool nights at altitude and Andean meltwater give the wines their freshness.
Malbec from the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo
Two names matter most. The Uco Valley climbs from 900 to well over 1,500 metres, and its cooler, higher sites give the most precise, structured Malbec in the country. Gualtallary and Paraje Altamira sit on chalky, limestone-rich soils that lend a fine, gripping texture. Nearer Mendoza city, Luján de Cuyo holds the old vines and the history, home to the country's first Malbec appellation since 1993, its wines rounder and warmer while keeping their lift. Our Argentina range gathers the best of both, with plenty more in our red wine selection.
Beyond Malbec: Cabernet, Bonarda and Chardonnay
Mendoza is far from a one-grape region. Cabernet Sauvignon ripens fully in the desert sun and often joins Malbec in serious Bordeaux-style blends. Bonarda, the quiet workhorse, gives juicy, dark-fruited reds that drink beautifully young, while high, cold plots in the Uco Valley now make taut, saline Chardonnay that stands comparison with far pricier bottles. None of this would exist without water: rainfall is scarce, so growers channel Andean meltwater through the vineyards, a tradition that has shaped the province for centuries.
Mendoza wine FAQ
What food pairs with Mendoza Malbec?
Asado is the natural answer. A char-grilled steak or rack of lamb meets the wine's ripe fruit and soft tannin head on, and beef empanadas work just as well.
What makes high-altitude Mendoza wine different?
Intense daytime sun and cold nights let grapes ripen fully while holding their acidity, giving colour and depth alongside freshness, especially from the Uco Valley.
Should I drink Mendoza Malbec young or cellar it?
Everyday Malbec is delicious young. Top Uco Valley bottlings from Gualtallary or Altamira have the structure to gain complexity over a decade or more.