There are 4,500 grape varieties from which to obtain wine in the world. The grape transmits to the wine the attributes of its species. The visitor who comes across a Malbec in Argentine wineries must know that it is our flag grape: Malbec is to Argentina , what Chardonnay with oak is to California , Pinotage to South Africa , Sirah to Australia or Sauvignon Blanc to New Zealand. Malbec found in Argentina the ideal soil to grow and develop.

Unless you are a specialist, you probably don't know that, if you plan to take a souvenir back home, you should choose a bottle of juicy, fruity Malbec from Mendoza , Salta or the Patagonia. Let Malbec delight you with the smoothness of its tannin, even in the first years, and its velvety texture, after enjoying its intense violet color and smelling the perfume of red and black fruits, such as cassis, plums, violets, among other typical aromatic descriptors.

"Malbec wine is becoming increasingly popular in and out of the country", says Ana Amitrano, head of Bodegas Zuccardi, pioneer winery in innovation and exportation. Malbec's great promotion as Argentina 's emblematic variety has raised a wealth of curiosity around the world".

No wonder critics, such as British Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson, find it extraordinary.

Prestigious American columnist Robert Parker, who stated that Argentina is "the place where the world's most refined Malbecs grow", rated Val de Flores Malbec 2002, produced by Michel.
Rolland in Mendoza , with 95 points over 100, in his magazine The Wine Advocate, last May 2004.

However, before buying a Malbec, it is convenient to know that Argentina is the tenth country in the world in terms of cultivation area. Productive vineyards encompass around 210 thousand hectares. Argentina is advancing in international markets as an award-winner and highly-rated producer.

Also, our country is the fifth wine maker, producing 13,225,000 hectoliters, slightly over 5% of the global volume.

Around twenty wineries export 1.8 million hectoliters annually. International sales increased from 9.5 million dollars in 1980 to 148 million dollars in 2000 and reached 169 million dollars in 2003, according to the Argentine wine association (UVA, in Spanish).