Mendoza: Argentina’s Sparkling Wine Oasis

Mendoza is the epicenter of Argentina’s remarkable wine industry. A stunning plateau right on the edge of the Andes mountains, Mendoza is the largest wine region in Argentina, and its most prolific. Wine from Mendoza makes up about 70 percent of Argentina’s total output, and has been responsible for putting the country firmly on the global wine map.

When thoughts turn to Mendoza, they are inevitably captivated by the Malbec grape and the deep, rich, powerful red wines it produces. This is the archetypal image of Mendoza wines, and indeed Argentinian wine more generally. What could be more Argentinian than a large glass of heavy, tannin wine accompanied by a perfectly-cooked steak? This is one of the defining images of Mendoza, and one of the reasons why it is such a fantastic vacation destination and one of the best places to visit on a cruise.

But Mendoza is not just fantastic red wine and to focus exclusively on these vintages would be to miss out on some of the more exciting efforts coming out of this wonderful region. In fact, Mendoza is rapidly becoming Argentina’s sparkling wine oasis as well. So if you are planning a trip to Argentina’s wine country and are interested in branching out and discovering the new smash hits of the country’s wine scene, take a look at some of the best sparkling wines coming out of Mendoza right now!

Chandon Argentina
Benefiting from 260 years of Champagne-making tradition, the minds behind Moet & Chandon brought their skills to Mendoza in 1959 and have been making stunning sparkling wine here ever since. Their Chandon Extra Brut is a fresh, fruity, and elegant combination of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and is up there with the best sparkling wine in the world.

Casa Bianchi
Founded in 1910 by Don Valentin Bianchi all the way from Italy, Casa Bianchi is one of the region’s most prolific producers of sparkling wine. Their Bianchi Extra Brut is half Chardonnay, half Pinot Noir, with fruity, fresh, and floral notes throughout.

Bodega Navarro Correas
With roots dating back to 1800, Bodega Navarro Correas has a decent claim to be one of the oldest wineries in Mendoza. Navarro Correas Nature is a sophisticated vintage, bright yellow with enticing aromas of citrus and peaches.

Trapiche
Pioneering the introduction of French vines and techniques, Trapiche are based in Maipu, Mendoza. Their Trapiche Brut is a fascinating wine, blending Chardonnay, Semillon, and Malbec grapes for an unusual but delicious vintage.