Emerging Wine Regions in Argentina
Discover the up-and-coming wine regions of Argentina, from the extreme altitude wines of Jujuy to the sparkling wine renaissance of Córdoba.
The future of Argentina's wine industry lies in its unexplored regions, where extreme terroirs and innovation are shaping the next generation of fine wines.
- Argentine wine expert
Exploring Argentina’s Emerging Wine Regions
La Rioja, one of Argentina’s oldest and most respected wine regions, is a land where heritage meets innovation. Located in the northwest of Argentina, it has long been known for producing wines that reflect both its rich history and the evolving winemaking techniques that have shaped it. As one of the country’s first wine regions, La Rioja boasts a deep-rooted connection to Argentina’s viticulture and is renowned for its aromatic whites, particularly the Torrontés, which thrives in the region’s sunny, dry climate. The region also produces exceptional reds, including Bonarda and Syrah, which have begun to gain international recognition.
La Rioja’s success as a wine region is rooted in its diverse terroir, with high-altitude vineyards benefiting from cooler temperatures that preserve acidity and enhance the aromatic profile of the grapes. This unique combination of old-world heritage and new-world practices gives La Rioja’s wines a distinctive personality that appeals to both traditionalists and contemporary wine lovers alike. Whether it's the floral notes of Torrontés or the structured reds from Syrah and Bonarda, La Rioja offers something truly special to those seeking to explore the heart of Argentina’s winemaking legacy.
Explore the Notable Emerging Wine Areas in Argentina
Jujuy & Córdoba: Argentina’s New Wine Frontiers
Catamarca is home to a number of sub-regions that each bring their own unique influence to the wines of the region. Among the most famous are the Ambato Valley and Tinogasta, each offering a distinctive terroir that gives rise to wines of exceptional character.
🍇 Ambato Valley – Known for its altitude and cool temperatures, Ambato Valley is home to some of the most celebrated malbec vineyards in Catamarca. The region benefits from an ideal balance of sunlight and temperature variation, which allows the malbec grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in wines with deep fruit flavors, rich tannins, and a vibrant acidity. The terroir of Ambato Valley gives the wines a unique freshness and complexity, making it one of the most exciting wine-producing areas in the region.
🍇 Tinogasta – Located at an even higher altitude than Ambato Valley, Tinogasta offers a harsh yet rewarding environment for grape-growing. The extreme temperatures and intense sunlight result in wines that are intense and aromatic, with a notable minerality that reflects the region’s high-altitude terroir. Torrontés, in particular, thrives in Tinogasta, producing wines that are floral, crisp, and full of bright citrus notes. The region's cool nights help preserve the acidity of the wines, making them perfect for pairing with a wide range of dishes.
The Key Grape Varieties of Jujuy & Córdoba
Malbec, Torrontés, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir: The Stars of Emerging Regions
Each emerging wine region in Argentina is defined by a selection of grape varieties that thrive in their distinctive climates. In Jujuy, the high-altitude vineyards are perfect for producing rich, aromatic reds and fresh whites, while Córdoba is carving out a name for itself in sparkling wine production with particular emphasis on high-quality grapes for effervescent wines.
🍇 Malbec – A signature grape in Argentina, Malbec thrives in Jujuy’s high-altitude terroir, where it develops deep color, rich tannins, and vibrant fruit flavors. The wines produced here tend to be bold and structured, with a profile that combines ripe dark fruit, earthy notes, and a refreshing acidity.
🍇 Torrontés – Known for its aromatic intensity, Torrontés is another key variety grown in Jujuy, producing wines that are highly fragrant with floral and citrus notes. The Torrontés from Jujuy captures the freshness of the high-altitude climate while maintaining a complex and nuanced flavor profile, making it a standout in Argentina’s white wine offerings.
🍇 Chardonnay – Chardonnay is an essential variety for the sparkling wines of Córdoba. The cool climate and limestone-rich soils of the region allow Chardonnay to thrive, resulting in wines with crisp acidity, refreshing citrus flavors, and a fine effervescence ideal for sparkling wine production.
🍇 Pinot Noir – Pinot Noir is another grape variety that is central to Córdoba’s sparkling wine scene. Known for its delicate, fruit-forward character and ability to produce elegant, complex sparkling wines, Pinot Noir from Córdoba has the potential to rival the world’s best sparkling wine regions.
Discover the Notable Producers in Jujuy & Córdoba
Leading Wineries in Jujuy & Córdoba: Pioneering the New Wave of Argentinian Wines
The emerging wine regions of Jujuy and Córdoba are home to a new generation of winemakers who are pushing the boundaries of innovation and quality. These producers are bringing fresh perspectives to Argentina’s wine industry, focusing on high-altitude wines and sparkling wine production that reflect the unique characteristics of their terroir.
🍇 Bodega Santa Julia – Located in Jujuy, Bodega Santa Julia is at the forefront of the region’s wine renaissance. Known for its commitment to sustainable farming and modern winemaking techniques, Santa Julia is producing exceptional high-altitude wines, particularly Malbec and Torrontés. The winery’s dedication to preserving the natural beauty of the high-altitude environment, combined with innovative practices, is helping to place Jujuy on the map as a rising star in Argentina’s wine industry.
🍇 Bodega Los Molles – Situated in the Traslasierra Valley in Córdoba, Bodega Los Molles has emerged as a leader in the production of sparkling wines. The winery specializes in traditional-method sparkling wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With a focus on precision and quality, Bodega Los Molles is helping to establish Córdoba as Argentina’s sparkling wine capital, with wines that are elegant, fresh, and beautifully effervescent.
🍇 Bodega La Posta – Also located in Córdoba, Bodega La Posta is gaining recognition for its expertise in producing cool-climate wines that highlight the freshness and complexity of the region’s terroir. While the winery is known for its Chardonnay, it is also experimenting with new varieties to further enhance the growing reputation of Córdoba as a region for premium sparkling wines.
Explore the Notable Vintages from Jujuy & Córdoba
The emerging regions of Jujuy and Córdoba are still in the early stages of establishing their wine identities, but certain vintages have already helped to put them on the global wine map. These key vintages showcase the unique character of these regions and the exciting potential they hold for future wine production.
📅 2016 – The 2016 vintage in Jujuy was marked by ideal weather conditions, producing wines with exceptional freshness and fruit intensity. The Malbec from this vintage stands out for its deep color, rich berry flavors, and balanced acidity, while the Torrontés offers a fragrant nose with notes of citrus and flowers, making it a great introduction to the high-altitude wines of Jujuy.
📅 2018 – In Córdoba, 2018 was a landmark year for sparkling wine production. The cooler climate and limestone-rich soils of the Traslasierra Valley allowed for the production of some of the region’s finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sparklers. These wines are fresh, crisp, and full of elegance, with a fine mousse and vibrant fruit character.
📅 2020 – The 2020 vintage saw continued growth for both regions, with Jujuy’s high-altitude reds and Córdoba’s sparkling wines continuing to impress. The Malbec from Jujuy in 2020 is noted for its bold fruit profile, with ripe plum and blackberry flavors complemented by a subtle earthy character. Meanwhile, the sparkling wines from Bodega Los Molles in Córdoba are praised for their complexity and finesse, showing the true potential of the region to produce world-class bubbly wines.
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Emerging Wine Regions in Argentina: Jujuy & Córdoba
Argentina is widely recognized for its iconic wine regions, but the country’s emerging areas are quickly gaining attention. The provinces of Jujuy and Córdoba are shaping up to be key players in Argentina’s future wine landscape. These regions, known for their extreme terroirs and innovative winemaking techniques, are producing wines that offer exciting new possibilities for wine lovers.
Jujuy: High Altitude Wines with a Bold Future
Located in the far northwestern part of Argentina, Jujuy is one of the highest wine-growing regions in the world. Vineyards in Jujuy reach elevations of over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level, creating a unique terroir that contributes to wines with exceptional freshness and vibrant acidity. The region’s combination of hot days and cold nights results in wines that are both intense and balanced.
Malbec and Torrontés are two key grape varieties that are flourishing in Jujuy’s high-altitude vineyards. The Malbec produced here is known for its deep color, rich fruit profile, and robust structure. At the same time, Torrontés wines from Jujuy are aromatic, with floral and citrus notes, showcasing the region’s potential to produce aromatic whites that reflect the character of this extreme terroir.
Jujuy is also attracting attention for its sustainable winemaking practices, which help preserve the natural beauty of the region’s landscape while producing wines that reflect its authenticity. As more winemakers experiment with the unique conditions of this high-altitude region, the potential for Jujuy to become one of Argentina’s premier wine regions is undeniable.
Córdoba: The Sparkling Wine Capital of Argentina
Córdoba, in central Argentina, is quickly emerging as the country’s epicenter for sparkling wine production. The region benefits from a cool climate and limestone-rich soils that are ideal for producing high-acid grapes, which are necessary for quality sparkling wines. With a growing number of boutique wineries focused on sparkling wines, Córdoba is positioning itself as Argentina’s sparkling wine capital.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the main grape varieties used in Córdoba’s sparkling wines, with these varieties benefiting from the region’s cool temperatures and mineral-rich soils. The wines from Córdoba are known for their crisp acidity, fine bubbles, and elegant fruit flavors. Produced using the traditional method (méthode champenoise), these wines are fresh, lively, and increasingly recognized for their complexity and finesse.
Córdoba’s sparkling wines have made a significant mark in recent years, and the region is now regarded as one of the most exciting up-and-coming sparkling wine regions in the world. With an emphasis on quality, innovation, and sustainability, Córdoba’s future as a key player in the global sparkling wine market looks incredibly promising.
Conclusion: The Future of Argentina’s Wine Regions
The emerging wine regions of Jujuy and Córdoba are proving that Argentina’s wine industry is not just about established areas like Mendoza and Patagonia. These regions, with their extreme terroirs and innovative winemaking techniques, are carving out new niches for Argentina in the global wine landscape. Jujuy, with its high-altitude reds and aromatic whites, and Córdoba, with its fine sparkling wines, are poised to become the future stars of Argentina’s wine industry.
As these regions continue to develop, the wines from Jujuy and Córdoba will be recognized for their unique qualities and their ability to push the boundaries of winemaking. For wine enthusiasts, these regions offer a new frontier to explore, where innovation meets tradition and where the future of Argentine wine is being written.