Mendoza

Mendoza is by far the largest of Argentina's wine regions, producing around 70% of the country's wine.
Situated in the rain shadow of the Andes mountains to the west, Mendoza benefits from a dry climate and high average temperatures. Irrigation is provided by the various rivers which cross the region, including the Mendoza river itself, which runs down from the mountains.

Warm, dry harvest periods mean that winemakers are able to pick their grapes according to ripeness, rather than being ruled by the vagaries of the weather. As with other New World countries, this leads to a reduction in vintage variation, as well as consistent quality from year to year. Predictable harvests also afford Mendoza's winemakers the luxury of increased control over the styles of wine they produce – a factor which has contributed to the region's international reputation.