Mendoza wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

Mendoza is a geographical indication covering the entire province of the same name, in the Cuyo region of western Argentina, at the foot of the Andes mountain range. It accounts for the great majority of Argentina's vineyard area, planted at altitudes ranging from around 600 metres to over 1500 metres in its highest sectors. The climate is desert-like and continental, with high sunshine levels, low rainfall and a wide diurnal temperature range between day and night; the vines are irrigated using snowmelt water from the Andes, carried by the Mendoza, Tunuyán and Diamante rivers. The soils are alluvial in origin, poor and well-drained, combining sand, silt and gravel depending on the sector. Malbec is the most widely planted variety, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Bonarda, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. This broad regional appellation encompasses several notable areas, among them Luján de Cuyo, the Uco Valley and Maipú.

The wines of this appellation

Red wines dominate Mendoza's production, with Malbec as the signature variety. They show a deep, purple to garnet colour and aromas of ripe dark fruit (blackberry, plum, black cherry), lifted by floral notes of violet and, after ageing, by hints of sweet spice, cocoa or tobacco. On the palate they are full-bodied, with silky tannins and generous alcohol shaped by the region's strong sunshine; wines from the higher-altitude sectors gain in freshness and ageing potential, and can be cellared for several years. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Bonarda complete this range of structured reds. White wines, made from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Torrontés, are lively and aromatic. The reds pair well with grilled meats, lamb or matured cheeses, while the whites suit seafood, poultry and regional dishes such as empanadas.