Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wines in the world,
but apparently this South American country is gearing up for a
first place finish! With more than 1,000 new wine companies
opened for business in 2005, exports and profits rose more than
one third from the previous year. This is wonderful news for
Argentina's economy, as well as for those wine enthusiasts in
other areas of the world that haven't had the pleasure of
toasting a glass made from Argentine criollas, or native
vines. Although the majority of Argentinian wine is exported to
North America and the United Kingdom, new markets are on the
rise in Finland, Norway, India, Malaysia and Vietnam.
No wonder! With the perfect climate and soil conditions for
growing grapes, Argentina creates wines of superior quality. The
Malbec grape produces a large portion of Argentina's red
wines with its characteristics of berries, plums, figs, and
vanilla. European varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon
with overtones of pepper, chocolate and coffee, and the velvety
plum and berry-like Merlots and Syrahs are
harvested in the shadow of the majestic Andes Mountains and then
produced into "bottled poetry", as so aptly stated by Robert
Louis Stevenson.
Exceptional quality and flavor at reasonable prices -- what more
does one need? Oh, yes -- a corkscrew, a glass and a toast! Now
where did you say Napa Valley was??!!
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