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Argentina has around 494,000
acres of land dedicated for grape production, from which around 2
million tons of grapes are picked every year. Argentina is
South America's primary wine producing and consuming country.
The province of Mendoza, where
most of Argentine wine is made is situated at 2,500 feet above sea
level. At these high elevations, there is better exposure to Ultra
violet rays, and higher contrasts between day and night temperatures
ideal for grape production. In the valleys leading down from the
Andes, currents of air make for greater differentials. Because of the
dryness of the climate, diseases such as mildew and botrytis are rare.
A wide range of varietals
grows under the Argentine skies. Red wines like Malbec, Syrah, Merlot,
Bonarda continues to grow showing great promise as do the white
varietals like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,and Semillion.
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"Argentina has long been among the world's
top five wine producers. But until recently, most of it was
consumed within the country...Given the recent extensive vineyards
plantings near the eastern slope of Andes and the Latin American
food trend in the USA, the time is ripe for wines from Argentina"
--USA today, March 24,2000
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The vineyards in Argentina are free from the pest called Phylloxera. The
grape, or vine Phylloxera phylloxera vitifolia, a native of
North America, is a notorious pest of grapevines, forming galls on
roots and leaves, which damage the plant. European vines are markedly
susceptible and many French vineyards suffered from the arrival of the
pest in Europe in the late 19th Century, when nearly 2 million
hectares of vineyards were destroyed. In 1993 infestation became
apparent in Californian vineyards, threatening a loss of 20,000
hectares by the end of this century. Phylloxera is very resistant to
treatment, as there are no natural enemies and it is difficult to
treat with pesticide because of its depth within the soil. Phylloxera
insects (hemipterancs) may be destroyed by spraying with carbon
disulphide or petroleum.
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