Uco Valley Wine Region

Uco Valley is a wine region in Mendoza, northwest Argentina. It is one of the most important and prestigious wine regions in Argentina. The valley is bounded by the Andes mountains to the west and north and by a series of low hills to the east; it is distinguished by its rugged scenery – steep mountains and deep valleys. The Uco Valley wine region is characterized by its high altitude and continental climate. Among the grape varieties cultivated in this region are: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. Uco Valley wines are known for their elegance and are fresh, fruity, and full-bodied. Many wineries and vineyards are found here, and the Uco Valley produces some of the best wines in Argentina, with over 300 different brands of wine available for tasting.

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Uco Valley Location

Uco Valley is located in the southwest of Mendoza province, Argentina, along the Tunuyán River. Stretching the departments of Tunuyán, Tupungato, and San Carlos, the region has a total area of 1,500 km² and a population of about 45,000 people. Other significant wine regions nearby are Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo, and Tupungato. Massively surrounded by mountains, Uco Valley is very well situated to benefit from the favorable conditions for wine growing and is truly advantageous in this sense. 

History of Uco Valley 

The Uco Valley wine region is one of the newest wine regions in Argentina. It was only discovered, as a wine region, in the early 90 s but has been a huge success. The history of this fascinating wine region started just in 1992 when Nicolás Catena Zapata planted the first vineyard, named Adrianna; before that, the Uco Valley area was used for fruit and vegetable cultivation for quite a long time. Nicolás Catena Zapata was the first wine producer who introduced European-style wine, characterized by great finesse and elegance, which was a significant shift in wine production. Other curious winemakers soon joined this innovation and admired the results. They admitted that conditions in this place are ideal for wine growing and developed wide grape varieties other than Malbec. The region could produce all authorized grape varieties equally well.

Uco Valley Terroir

Influenced by the Andes Mountains, the climate in this region is continental, with hot, long summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature is approximately 15 °C. There are also harsh extremities in day and night temperatures, which is great for maintaining a good balance between sugar and acidity levels in grapes. The days are mostly sunny throughout the year, and it rains a little; however, the river's proximity guarantees adequate vineyard irrigation. The vineyards are located at 850-1100 meters altitude. The soils are mainly composed of alluvial, sand, and claystone, suitable for quality viticulture and flavor intensification in wines. Uco Valley terroir is considered one of the best in the world, recognized by numerous producers, and measured by the highest standards. Many wine producers, attracted by the excellence of terroir, have come from France, Italy, and the whole of Europe, to Uco Valley and achieved great success. 

Uco Valley wine characteristics

Uco Valley wine region produces both red and white wines. The predominant grape variety is Malbec, representing 45% of wine production. It has thick skin and deep color, but other varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay are also permitted in lesser amounts. One of the most important characteristics of wines from this region is their freshness due to their high acidity levels and intense fruity flavors. Wines are full-bodied and can have rich red fruit or floral aromas and mineral notes. All those components make Malbec from Uco Valley notably distinctive from other wines made of Malbec grapes. That is why this is the signature red wine of the region. Uco Valley produces fine white wines primarily from Chardonnay grapes but in much lesser amounts. 

Food to pair with Uco Valley wine

Asado

Meat is very common in Argentina, and the whole country boasts of having one of the best quality meat in the world. Nevertheless, Asado, meaning roasted, is not just delicious and juicy grilled beef steak but a true expression of Argentinian cuisine and culture. And pairing it with a glass of the finest Uco Valley Malbec is simply classic.

Milanesa

The name might sound Italian, but this variant is a traditional dish in Argentina and is the best in the Mendoza region. Milanes is a cutlet made from beef or chicken, fried in breadcrumbs, served with creamy mashed potatoes or crispy French fries and lemon wedges to squeeze the juice over it. This simple yet delicious dish goes exceptionally well with Uco Valley red or white wine for the best Uco Valley wine experience.

Empanadas

Empanadas are traditional Argentinian savoury pies, as common in Argentina as tacos in Mexico. Usually made from corn flour, empanadas are stuffed with meat with various additions like boiled eggs, peppers, parsley, olives, onions, garlic, and cheese. They are best to savour with a glass of Uco Valley wine.

Places to visit in the Uco Valley wine region 

Parque San Martin

Parque San Martin is located in the city of Mendoza, near Uco Valley. The park dates back to the 18th century, designed by an urban architect, Carlos Thays. Its landscapes and massive greenness create incredible harmony and make the park a great place to spend the day. You can take long walks, discover numerous sculptures inside the park and have a picnic in pure nature.

Mount Aconcagua

If you are in the Mendoza region, you have a great opportunity to discover Argentinian pinky-colored mountains. Still, Aconcagua is the highest point in South America and is luckily located near Uco Valley Mendoza. Therefore, this is a perfect option to go hiking and watch the breathtaking sunset from there; also, you do not need to be a professional climber as some places to walk are not very steep. 

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Frequently asked questions about the Uco Valley wine region