ARGENTINA

Argentina is one of the world's major wine-growing countries [5th]. This enormous potential has yet to be fully exploited. Like Chile, the history of wine making can be traced to its early Spanish colonisers. It was they who found the best grape growing conditions in Mendoza Province at the foothills of the Andes. These high altitude vineyards have a unique micro climate, as rain hardly ever falls. Water is provided from the Andean snow melt which collects in rivers, streams and irrigation channels, some of which date back to the Incas. Combining tradition, linked to the latest technology and meticulous quality winemaking, Argentina produces a range of full flavoured , harmonious wines that has awakened a global interest in malbec and torrontes grapes in addition to a number of other European varieties to give a distinctive selection of wines that are gaining ever more friends year on year.

Established in 1890 by Pascual Toso originally from Piemonte Italy, this is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Argentina. There are two wineries both in the premium region of Mendoza. The syrah has an intense fruit with layers of plum and black cherries, full bodied with earthy tannins; the chardonnay has fresh aromas of pears and vanilla concentrate which is rich and with slight spicy oak flavours and a long finish.