Mendoza produces over 70% of Argentine wine. Uco Valley subregions at 1,000-1,500m produce refined, mineral Malbec. Luján de Cuyo offers rounder wines. Beyond Malbec, excellent Cabernet Franc is emerging.
Subregions
- Luján de Cuyo / Valle de Uco — Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco anchor Mendoza's fine wine production. High-altitude sites on alluvial, sandy-loam soils and strong diurnal shifts concentrate Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon with firm structure and natural acidity.
- Maipú — Maipú sits at 700–900m in central Mendoza on alluvial sandy-loam soils. Old-vine Malbec dominates, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo. The continental climate delivers warm days and cool nights, concentrating fruit with natural acidity.
- Uco Valley — The Uco Valley (Tupungato, Tunuyán, San Carlos) at 1,000-1,500m produces Argentina's most structured, mineral-driven Malbec. Altitude creates extreme diurnal temperature swings.
