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Local’s guide to the best wine in Argentina

International Traveller

As one of the world’s biggest wine-producing countries, we chat with Andrew Maidment from Argentina Wines to find out where to go for the best drop in all the land.

Mendoza

Set in the Cujo region of Argentina, Mendoza produces some 70 per cent of Argentina’s wine.

The region runs along the Andes Mountains, 1000 kilometres west of Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires.

Although not the first place vines were grown in Argentina (this accolade belongs to Salta), Mendoza could be considered the birthplace of the modern Argentine wine industry.

In 1863 a French agronomist Michel Aimee Puget was tasked with setting up the first school of agriculture in the country, which led to the planting of many European grape varieties.

This milestone is celebrated each year as part of the annual ‘World Malbec Day’ on 17 April.

And to accompany your vino, Mendoza is also home to some equally impressive restaurants.

Best varieties:

Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and more recently Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Petit Verdot

Must-visit wineries:

Don’t leave without a bottle of…

Malbec. Mendoza is the spiritual home of Argentina’s flagship variety, and there’s genuinely too many good ones to list.

San Juan

Located in the Cujo region, you’ll find San Juan around 170 kilometres north of Mendoza.

There are three major wine producing valleys within San Juan; the Pedernal Valley, Tulum Valley and Zonda Valley.

Whilst San Juan was traditionally known for producing more entry level wines, in recent years there has been a huge focus on quality, and San Juan is now home to some of Argentina’s very best wines, in particular Syrah.

Best varieties:

Syrah / Shiraz, Viognier and Malbec

Must-visit wineries:

Don’t leave without a bottle of …

Finca las Moras Gran Shiraz – consistently awarded the best Syrah in Argentina and something different for lovers of Aussie Shiraz.

Salta

Not far from the Bolivian border in the country’s northwest is Salta, within the Salta Province.

Home to the world’s highest vineyards, the very highest one belongs to Bodega Colome, sitting at a lofty 3111 metres above sea level.

The Salta province is also home to Argentina’s only unique grape variety, Torrontes, and with its unique climactic conditions is able to produce wonderful wines from grape varieties hard to ripen elsewhere, such as Tannat.

Best varieties:

Torrontes, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec

Must-visit wineries:

Don’t leave without a bottle of …

Torrontes. This uniquely Argentine variety produces intriguing white wines that mix floral and sweet aromas with great freshness and acidity.

They work especially well with spicy foods or as a summer aperitif.

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Patagonia

Argentina’s most southerly wine regions are situated in Northern Patagonia.

There are two specific areas of interest here, about 100 kilometres apart – the High Valley of Rio Negro and San Patricio del Chanar. The latter is one of Argentina’s newest wine regions having been planted from scratch in only 2001.

Situated smack bang between the Andes Mountains to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, these regions are about 1000 kilometres south of Buenos Aires.

In addition to grape production, the Northern Patagonia region is also known for its world-class apples and pears.

As one of the most southerly wine regions in the world, expect an arid climate with regular high winds, but a wealth of adventure activities too, from trout fishing to skiing.

Best varieties:

Malbec, Pinot Noir and Merlot

Must-visit wineries:

High Valley of Rio Negro

San Patricio del Chanar

Don’t leave without a bottle of…

Pinot Noir – Patagonia is regarded as the best place in all of Argentina for this variety. Old vine Pinot (over 100 years old) from Rio Negro is especially unique.

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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

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    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

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    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

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    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

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    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

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    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

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    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

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