400 years ago the Spanish came to Argentina and brought with them their love of wine Catholic monks and priests began to grown produce wine for serving at communion and so the Argentine wine industry was born  It was in the 1800s, though, that European settlers arrived with wine expertise, more grape strains and, importantly, the railway  One of the arrivals was a seemingly insignificant dark grape from the south of France.


  This grape, called Malbec,  found its true home in the foothills of the Andes and flourished Since the 1980s, however, Argentina has become a leader in the production of outstanding wines.


The Malbec grape, originally from the southwest of France, has risen to the highest of fame in Argentina Initially used in Cahors as a blending grape, the varietal flourishes in Argentina While it was almost completely wiped out in France by phylloxera, it survived in Argentina and has become the country's signature grape, with many premier 100% bottlings now available Argentina is also producing many other classic varietals with success, such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir.


These wines can be found with great quality and value The white grape, Torrontes, is quickly claiming its spot as the country's signature white, and the red Bonarda is an up-and-coming star as well.