From its launch in 1999, Argento has grown to become the number-one-selling Argentinian wine brand in Europe, and it's now becoming very popular in the United States. Renowned for pioneering the modern Mendoza style, Argento delivers a rich, approachable Malbec with soft velvety tannins.
Argento and Argentine both come from the Latin word for silver. Argento also means all that is quintessentially Argentinian-the vineyards, the wines, and the people. This year the Argento brand celebrates its 10th anniversary. The wines are made at Bodegas Argento in the Rivadavia region of Mendoza. The Argento Wine Company uses the latest in vineyard and cellar technology to create wines which reflect characters typical of the Mendoza region of Argentina. They use fruit from high altitude, cooler climate vineyards which creates elegant wines with fruit-purity and finesse. These wines have broad appeal, but also reflect a strong sense of place and the outstanding quality of Argentina's wines.
Wine has been produced and consumed in Argentina since the 16th century when the Spanish settlers planted vineyards. In the 19th century there was a large wave of European immigrants. These families from Italy, Spain, and France brought new grape varieties, new cultivation techniques, and refined winemaking styles.
Argentines have always been significant consumers of wine. The wines produced from local vineyards were enjoyed at local tables, and they did not travel far. These were light and simple "table wines" for everyday drinking. Also, most producers were focused on quantity, not quality. Fortunately, in the last 30 years Argentine's wines have greatly improved in quality, and they are being exported to wine lovers around the world.
This superb Malbec is deep, dark violet in color with powerful aromas of black stone fruit and notes of chocolate. Blackberry and black currant fruit flavors with a touch of sweet spice lead into a long, lingering finish with ripe velvety tannins.
September 2009 Vintners Series Newsletter (.pdf)
