Wines of Argentina or Chile: Duel at the Summit of the Andes

Between dizzying peaks and Pacific breezes, Argentina and Chile offer two faces of South American wine. Beyond the clichés, powerful terroirs, star or forgotten grape varieties, and cuvées that don't leave you indifferent... From the Andes Cordillera to the coastal valleys, discover the great nations of South American wine.

Argentina: Extreme Altitude as a Freshness Asset

It's by gaining height that Argentina has forged its wine reputation. From the valleys of Mendoza to the extreme heights of Salta, the vines reach for the clouds, sometimes beyond 2,000 meters. The result? Intense but fresh wines, full of fruit, with a beautiful natural tension.

Malbec is king here. A grape variety originally from the Southwest of France, it has found a second home in Argentina. It produces fleshy, delicious reds with aromas of black fruits, spices, and sometimes violet. But the Argentine vineyard doesn't stop there.

Patagonia produces excellent Pinot Noirs, elegant and airy, while Torrontés, Salta's emblematic white grape variety, gives birth to aromatic, fresh, and floral wines, perfect for lovers of original whites. And freedom lovers will find their match: as in France with vins de France, the absence of rigid AOC here allows prioritizing the winemaker's expression over territorial norms.

👉 Must try: Atypico by Agustin Lanus, a Malbec-Cabernet from Salta at over 2,000 m altitude, with a pure and structured style, showing all the potential of Andean terroirs.

From the Uco Valley, there's a great gem bursting with ripe red fruit flavors, the Pinot Noir from Domaine Nico Soeur et Frères.

Another Argentine gem: Blanc de Malbec Indomable from Colosso Wines, which proves that a red grape variety can reinvent itself with finesse, with floral notes and a beautiful texture.

Chile: Between Coastal Freshness and Forgotten Grape Varieties

Chile, bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Cordillera, offers an impressive range of wine microclimates. Emblematic regions like Maipo, Colchagua, Limarí, or Itata allow for a diversity of expressions, from intense red to crystalline white. Here, sea breezes temper the day's heat and allow for slow grape ripening.

Malbec, less widespread than in Argentina, is distinguished by a more taut and structured profile. Viu Manent's Malbec Single Vineyard 2017 is a perfect example: precise, elegant, with a remarkable freshness that contrasts with the more solar Malbecs from the eastern side of the Andes.

But Chile is also a land of rebirth. País, a forgotten grape variety inherited from the conquistadors, is being reborn under the impulse of young winemakers. The País Co-Pa 2019 offers a light, juicy, and friendly version, perfect for aperitif. The country also shines with its Carménère, Chile's signature grape variety, with deep aromas of pepper and herbs, as well as increasingly convincing Cabernet Francs.

So, Team Chile or Team Argentina?

Full-bodied Malbec or crunchy old-fashioned red? Andean altitude or oceanic freshness? No need to decide: explore, compare, savor. And if you're hesitating, let our collection of Argentine wines and our selection of Chilean wines guide you to your next gem.