The Best Argentinian Wines to Try in Mendoza

1. Malbec

Malbec is the obvious place to start. It is the grape most closely associated with Argentina internationally, and the variety you will see again and again across Mendoza.

But “Malbec” is not one fixed style. Depending on where the grapes are grown, Mendoza Malbec can be:

• soft and fruit-forward
• floral and fresh
• dark and powerful
• savoury and structured
• mineral and restrained
• heavily oaked
• almost entirely fruit-driven

Typical flavours may include:

• plum
• blackberry
• black cherry
• violet
• spice
• cocoa
• tobacco
• herbs

The most interesting tastings compare Malbec from different vineyard areas. A wine from Luján de Cuyo may feel different from one grown in Gualtallary or Paraje Altamira, and that comparison teaches you more than ordering the most expensive Malbec on the list. Our Malbec guide goes into what the grape tastes like and why Mendoza suits it.

Best places to explore Malbec

Look especially for wines from:

• Luján de Cuyo
• Agrelo
• Las Compuertas
• Gualtallary
• Los Chacayes
• Paraje Altamira

Who should try it? Everyone visiting Mendoza. Even if you do not usually drink Malbec, taste a few local styles before you decide whether you like the grape.

2. Cabernet Franc

If Malbec is Mendoza’s established star, Cabernet Franc is one of the most exciting grapes to watch. It has become steadily more important in premium Argentine wine over the last several years.

Cabernet Franc can offer:

• red cherry
• blackberry
• herbs
• pepper
• graphite
• floral notes
• fresh acidity

In Mendoza, especially in the Uco Valley, it often combines ripeness with freshness, which makes it a useful contrast to Malbec. Where Malbec can feel round and plush, Cabernet Franc may feel more aromatic, savoury and structured.

Where to look for Cabernet Franc

It is especially good from:

• Gualtallary
• Los Chacayes
• Paraje Altamira
• other high-altitude Uco Valley sites

Some wineries bottle it on its own; others use it in blends with Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon. Our Uco Valley wine guide covers those subregions and the wineries in them.

Who should try it? Anyone who already knows Malbec and wants something more distinctive. For wine-focused travellers, Cabernet Franc belongs near the top of the list.

3. Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon has a long history in Mendoza and remains one of the region’s most important red varieties.

It can be more structured than Malbec, with firmer tannins and flavours such as:

• blackcurrant
• black cherry
• cedar
• tobacco
• herbs
• spice

Some Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and ripe. Other examples, especially from cooler or higher vineyards, are fresher and more restrained. It also turns up in many red blends.

Why try it in Mendoza?

Cabernet Sauvignon gives you a reference point. Many travellers already know the grape from Bordeaux, California, Chile or Australia, and tasting a Mendoza version shows what the local climate and altitude bring to a familiar variety.

Who should try it? Drinkers who enjoy structured reds, and anyone who wants a useful comparison with Malbec.

4. Bonarda

Bonarda is one of Argentina’s most important red grapes, though international visitors usually know far less about it than Malbec.

Argentine Bonarda is generally associated with Douce Noir, not with the Italian grapes that can also carry the Bonarda name.

It often makes wines that are:

• juicy
• fruity
• soft
• easy to drink
• relatively fresh

Typical flavours can include:

• cherry
• plum
• blackberry
• herbs
• gentle spice

Bonarda ranges from simple everyday wine to more serious old-vine bottlings.

Why is Bonarda worth trying?

Because it feels local. Malbec may be Argentina’s international calling card, but Bonarda shows you another side of Argentine red wine culture. It is also a good choice for people who find heavily tannic reds tiring.

Who should try it? Travellers who want something less obvious, and drinkers who prefer softer, fruit-driven reds.

5. Chardonnay

Mendoza is not only red-wine country. Some of its most interesting whites come from high-altitude Chardonnay vineyards. Our Mendoza Chardonnay guide goes further into where they grow and how the styles differ.

Depending on the style, Mendoza Chardonnay can show:

• citrus
• green apple
• pear
• white peach
• stone fruit
• mineral notes
• butter or toast in oak-aged versions

The Uco Valley is particularly important for it. Cool nights at higher elevations help preserve acidity, which balanced Chardonnay depends on.

Oaked vs unoaked Chardonnay

You may taste both.

Unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay is usually:

• fresher
• more citrus-driven
• lighter
• more mineral

Barrel-aged Chardonnay is usually:

• richer
• creamier
• more textured
• sometimes marked by vanilla or toast

Who should try it? White wine drinkers, and anyone who assumes Mendoza is only about red wine.

6. Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is far less common than Malbec, but it can be very interesting from cooler Mendoza vineyard sites, where altitude helps it keep its freshness.

Styles may show:

• red cherry
• strawberry
• raspberry
• floral notes
• earth
• subtle spice

Mendoza Pinot Noir is usually lighter in body than Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes it a refreshing change in a day of powerful reds.

Where to look

Cooler sites in the Uco Valley are among the most promising areas.

Who should try it? Drinkers who prefer lighter reds, and anyone who wants a break from heavier tasting flights.

7. Semillón

Semillón has a long history in Argentina but is less familiar to most international visitors. For years it received little attention next to Malbec and Chardonnay.

More recently, some producers have begun working seriously with old Semillón vineyards and giving the grape a new identity.

Depending on style, it can show:

• lemon
• pear
• herbs
• a waxy texture
• floral notes
• a subtle honeyed character with age

It can be made fresh and light, or more textured and complex.

Why try it?

Because it represents a part of Argentine wine history that is easy to overlook. If you enjoy unusual white varieties, ask whether the winery makes one.

Who should try it? Curious drinkers, and anyone interested in lesser-known historic varieties.

8. Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is not the first grape people associate with Mendoza, but high-altitude vineyards can produce lively, aromatic styles.

Expect possible notes of:

• citrus
• grapefruit
• herbs
• green fruit
• tropical fruit
• a mineral character

The best examples are very refreshing, particularly at lunchtime or in the warmer months.

Who should try it? Anyone looking for a crisp white during a long tasting day.

9. Sparkling Wine

Mendoza has a significant tradition of sparkling wine. You may come across sparkling wines made from:

• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir
• blends

Styles range from easy-drinking aperitif wines to more complex traditional-method wines aged for longer.

Sparkling wine commonly appears as:

• a welcome drink
• an aperitif
• part of a winery lunch
• a tasting experience of its own

Why try it?

Because it widens the picture of Mendoza. A day that starts with sparkling wine and moves through white, red and dessert styles is far more enjoyable than six powerful reds in a row.

Our pick: the Bodega Chandon sparkling wine visit with a private transfer takes you to Chandon in Luján de Cuyo for a vineyard walk, the underground cellars and a tasting, at $130 per person. It has 2 reviews so far, both five stars, which is too few to judge it on.

Who should try it? Almost everyone, and particularly people planning a winery lunch.

10. Red Blends

Some of the most interesting wines in Mendoza are blends. Common components include:

• Malbec
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc
• Merlot
• Petit Verdot

Blending lets the winemaker combine different characteristics. For example:

• Malbec can add fruit and softness
• Cabernet Sauvignon can add structure
• Cabernet Franc can add aroma and freshness
• Petit Verdot can add colour and intensity

Premium red blends can be among the most serious wines you taste in Mendoza.

Why try them?

They show that Argentine wine is not only single-variety Malbec, and how different grapes behave in the same region.

Who should try them? Wine lovers, and travellers who enjoy comparing individual components with the finished blend.

What Is the Best Argentinian Red Wine to Try?

If you want one answer, start with Malbec. Then keep going.

A strong red tasting in Mendoza might include:

1. Bonarda
2. Malbec
3. Cabernet Franc
4. Cabernet Sauvignon
5. a premium red blend

That sequence gives you a far broader picture of Argentine wine than five different Malbecs from the same producer.

What Is the Best Argentinian White Wine to Try?

In Mendoza, Chardonnay is the safest starting point. High-altitude Chardonnay can be excellent and is widely poured.

After that, look for:

• Semillón
• Sauvignon Blanc
• white blends

If you see a small-production white from a high-altitude vineyard, try it even if the grape is unfamiliar.

Mendoza Malbec vs Uco Valley Malbec

This distinction confuses people, because the Uco Valley is itself part of Mendoza.

When someone says “Mendoza Malbec”, they may mean the province as a whole. “Uco Valley Malbec” is more specific.

Broad Mendoza Malbec

Can come from many vineyard areas and covers a huge range of styles.

Uco Valley Malbec

Often associated with:

• higher elevation
• fresher acidity
• floral character
• firmer structure
• more emphasis on vineyard origin

That does not make Uco Valley Malbec always better. It is just more specific.

Luján de Cuyo Malbec vs Uco Valley Malbec

This is one of the most useful comparisons to make on a Mendoza trip.

Luján de Cuyo Malbec

Often associated with:

• ripe dark fruit
• a round texture
• plushness
• classic Mendoza character

Uco Valley Malbec

Often associated with:

• freshness
• flowers
• herbs
• mineral notes
• firmer structure

These are broad tendencies, not rules. Producer style and individual vineyard conditions still matter enormously.

What Is “High-Altitude Wine”?

You will hear the phrase constantly in Mendoza. It refers to grapes grown at elevated vineyard sites, often well above the altitudes of many famous wine regions.

In Mendoza, higher elevation can bring:

• cooler nights
• stronger sunlight
• slower ripening
• better retention of acidity
• thicker grape skins

The result can be wines that are both ripe and fresh.

Altitude is not a guarantee of quality, though. A high vineyard does not automatically make better wine: soil, vineyard management, grape variety and winemaking remain crucial.

Which Mendoza Wine Region Produces the Best Wine?

There is no single winner.

Luján de Cuyo

Strong for:

• classic Malbec
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• established producers
• mature vineyards

Maipú

Strong for:

• historic wine styles
• Bonarda
• Malbec
• traditional producers

Uco Valley

Strong for:

• high-altitude Malbec
• Cabernet Franc
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir
• terroir-focused wines

The best strategy is to taste in more than one area. Our three regions compared sets them side by side on distance, altitude and price.

Best Wines to Try at a Winery Tasting

If the tasting menu gives you choices, go for variety. A good flight might include:

1. Sparkling wine

A fresh start.

2. Chardonnay or Semillón

The white-wine side of Mendoza.

3. Bonarda

A softer local red.

4. Malbec

The essential reference point.

5. Cabernet Franc

A more aromatic, structured contrast.

6. Red blend

How the winery combines varieties.

That teaches you more than six versions of the most expensive red on the list.

Most shared tours set the flight for you, so pick one built on contrast. The three-winery Maipú afternoon with an olive oil mill pours three wines at each of three cellars, compared young against aged and white against red, and one of the three specialises in sweet wine ($34, 4.7 from 1,372 reviews). (our breakdown →)

Reserva, Gran Reserva and Premium Wines: Are They Better?

These terms suggest higher positioning, but they do not mean you will automatically prefer the wine.

Premium wines may involve:

• selected vineyards
• lower yields
• longer ageing
• more expensive oak
• smaller production
• more concentrated styles

That can make them more complex. An entry-level wine can still be fresher, easier to drink and more enjoyable with lunch.

During a tasting, compare instead of assuming. Ask:

• What vineyard does this come from?
• Is it aged in oak?
• For how long?
• Is this a single vineyard?
• What makes this wine different from the standard version?

Those questions are often more useful than the price.

Is the Most Expensive Malbec the Best?

Not necessarily. Price may reflect:

• vineyard rarity
• very low production
• old vines
• prestige
• extended ageing
• imported oak
• critical reputation
• brand positioning

None of that guarantees the style matches your taste. A highly structured single-vineyard Malbec may be impressive and still less enjoyable to you than a softer, simpler bottle.

Wine tasting is partly about discovering what you prefer.

How to Taste Wine in Mendoza Without Feeling Intimidated

You do not need specialist vocabulary. A simple approach is enough. Ask yourself:

Do I like the smell?

Fruit, flowers, herbs, spice, oak?

Is the wine light or full?

Compare it with the previous glass.

Is it fresh?

Does the acidity make your mouth water?

Are the tannins soft or drying?

You notice this most in red wine.

Would I drink a full glass?

This may be the most useful question of all.

You do not need to identify fifteen aromas to know what you enjoy.

Best Argentine Wines with Food

Wine changes when you eat with it, which is one reason winery lunches are so useful.

Malbec

Works well with:

• grilled beef
• lamb
• empanadas
• roasted vegetables
• hard cheese

Cabernet Franc

Good with:

• grilled meat
• herbs
• mushrooms
• savoury dishes

Bonarda

Works well with:

• pizza
• pasta
• charcuterie
• lighter grilled meats

Chardonnay

Good with:

• chicken
• fish
• creamy dishes
• vegetables
• soft cheese

Sparkling wine

Excellent with:

• appetisers
• fried foods
• cheese
• light starters

To taste pairings like these in one sitting, the semi-private day with two tastings and a paired lunch ends with a multi-course lunch matched to the estate’s wines ($130, 4.9 from 128 reviews), and our wine tours with lunch page compares the other options.

What Wine Should You Buy in Mendoza?

The best bottle to buy is not necessarily the most famous. Consider wine that:

• you cannot easily find at home
• comes from a vineyard you visited
• has a strong memory attached to the tasting
• represents a subregion you enjoyed
• offers good value

Small-production wines make more interesting souvenirs than globally distributed labels.

Before buying, check the airline and customs rules for your destination. Bottles also add a lot of weight to your luggage.

How Much Should You Spend on Wine in Mendoza?

There is no single correct amount. You will find:

• inexpensive everyday bottles
• mid-range restaurant wines
• premium single-vineyard wines
• prestige labels

At a winery, ask whether they have:

• tasting-only wines
• cellar-door exclusives
• small-production bottles
• mixed cases
• shipping options

Do not feel pressured to buy the most expensive wine because it was the last glass in the tasting. What the tastings themselves cost is in our Mendoza wine tour prices guide.

Argentinian Wine vs Chilean Wine

Argentina and Chile are neighbours, but their wine industries have different identities.

Argentina is particularly associated with:

• Malbec
• high-altitude vineyards
• Mendoza
• continental conditions

Chile is especially associated internationally with:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Carmenère
• Sauvignon Blanc
• long coastal and valley influences

This is a broad simplification, but a useful one for travellers. If you are visiting both countries, taste the same grape on each side of the Andes.

What Is the Most Famous Argentinian Wine?

Malbec is by far the most famous Argentine wine internationally. Its success helped define Argentina’s modern wine identity.

The country’s most interesting future may be broader. Cabernet Franc, high-altitude Chardonnay, old-vine Semillón and increasingly precise regional Malbecs all show Argentine wine becoming more site-specific and more diverse.

Best Wine for Someone Who Does Not Like Malbec

Try one of these.

Cabernet Franc

If you like aromatic, savoury reds.

Bonarda

If you prefer softer, fruitier wine.

Pinot Noir

If you prefer lighter reds.

Chardonnay

If you prefer whites.

Sparkling wine

If you want something fresh and easy.

You can enjoy a Mendoza wine trip without being a Malbec enthusiast.

Best Wine for Beginners

For beginners, softer styles are usually easier to enjoy. Good starting points include:

• fruit-forward Malbec
• Bonarda
• lightly oaked Chardonnay
• sparkling wine

You do not need to begin with the most complex premium wine. High-end bottles are often easier to appreciate after you have tasted simpler ones.

Best Wine for Serious Wine Drinkers

Look for:

• single-vineyard Malbec
• Gualtallary Cabernet Franc
• Paraje Altamira Malbec
• high-altitude Chardonnay
• old-vine Semillón
• premium red blends

Ask the winery about:

• vineyard altitude
• soil
• vintage
• fermentation
• oak
• ageing
• whether the wine comes from a single parcel

This is where Mendoza gets especially interesting.

A Good Wine-Tasting Strategy for a Mendoza Trip

If you have three wine days, you could structure them like this.

Day 1: Classic Mendoza

Focus on:

• Malbec
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• traditional producers
• Luján de Cuyo

Our Luján de Cuyo wine tours page lists the days that go there.

Day 2: Uco Valley

Focus on:

• high-altitude Malbec
• Cabernet Franc
• Chardonnay
• terroir

The Uco Valley wine guide covers which subregion to pick and how many wineries fit in a day.

Day 3: Something different

Focus on:

• Bonarda
• sparkling wine
• Semillón
• smaller producers
• Maipú or another contrasting area

For a Maipú afternoon, the Route 60 three-winery tour with olive oil pours nine glasses across three cellars for $32 (4.9 from 38 reviews). (our breakdown →)

That plan gives you far more variety than three Malbec-heavy tours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Argentinian wine?

Malbec is Argentina’s most famous wine, but there is no single “best” wine. Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon and premium blends can all be excellent.

What wine is Mendoza famous for?

Mendoza is most famous for Malbec.

What red wines should I try in Mendoza besides Malbec?

Try Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Pinot Noir and red blends.

What white wine should I try in Mendoza?

Chardonnay is the easiest recommendation, particularly from high-altitude Uco Valley vineyards. Semillón is also one to look for.

Is Argentinian Malbec sweet or dry?

Most Mendoza Malbec is dry.

Its ripe fruit flavours can make it seem sweeter than it is.

Is Cabernet Franc good in Mendoza?

Yes. Cabernet Franc has become one of Mendoza’s most exciting premium red varieties, particularly in the high-altitude parts of the Uco Valley.

Is Bonarda an Argentinian wine?

Bonarda is an important grape in Argentina and is widely grown in Mendoza. Argentine Bonarda is generally associated with the grape known as Douce Noir.

Does Mendoza produce good white wine?

Yes. High-altitude Chardonnay can be excellent, and you can also find Sauvignon Blanc, Semillón and white blends.

Is sparkling wine made in Mendoza?

Yes. Mendoza has a long sparkling-wine tradition and makes styles ranging from easy-drinking aperitif wines to more serious bottle-aged examples.

What wine should I order with steak in Mendoza?

Malbec is the classic choice, but Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc can also work very well with grilled beef.

Final Thoughts: What Should You Actually Drink in Mendoza?

Start with Malbec. You are in Mendoza, after all.

But treat it as the starting point, not the whole wine experience.

Taste a classic Luján de Cuyo Malbec, then a high-altitude Uco Valley version. After that, move to Cabernet Franc. Try Bonarda. Order Chardonnay with lunch. Accept the sparkling wine at the start of the tasting instead of rushing straight to the reds.

If you see Semillón, try it. And if a winery pours a blend made from several grapes you have already tasted on their own, notice how they come together.

The best Mendoza wine trip is not about finding one perfect bottle. It is about seeing how much variety one wine region holds, and working out which styles you want to drink again.