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 Perhaps because Chile, its neighbor to the west, has moved so explosively into the modern wine scene (and been so visible in restaurants) in the last twenty years, Argentina is usually compared to its western neighbor, but the comparison can be misleading. Argentina has its own fascinating cultural identity, a distinct history, and a pair of promising varietals, the red Malbec and white Torrontés, that make it unique among wine producers. Considering its grape-growing and winemaking resources, its potential is enormous.
Spanish settlers brought hardy "work horse" vines to Argentina over the Andes from Peru and Chile as early as the mid-1500's, and the Argentines who made the spectacular Pampas beef a staple of daily life have produced and enthusiastically consumed full-bodied red wines to accompany it ever since. Historically, wines made from Criolla (related to the Chilean Pais) were plentiful but not high quality, and were often specifically vinified to withstand harrowing shipping conditions to other South American nations such as Peru and South Brazil.
In 1853 Argentina's School of Agriculture was founded in Mendoza province, headed by Miguel Pouget. The first director encouraged the European model of winemaking, introduced French varietals, and taught grafting and other modern cultivation techniques. In 1884 the province undertook massive irrigation projects, and the dams and channels constructed at that time transformed arid lands into oases, allowing modern viticulture.
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