Salta

In 1542, Jesuit missionaries first planted grape seeds brought from Peru (originally brought from Spain) in Salta and the vines thrived. Salta has 2,100 hectares of vines planted. Salta has very hot summers—upwards of 35ºC (95ºF)—and very cold winters with temperatures below freezing. The average temperature in Salta is 15ºC (59ºF). The rainfall is quite low, at 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) a year.  The average altitude ranks at 1,670 meters (5,480 feet) above sea level, although the highest vineyards planted in Salta are over 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) above sea level. Salta has the highest vineyard altitudes in all of Argentina, and the highest vineyards in the world. The wine vineyard altitude in Italy ranges from 120 to 340 meters (395 – 1,115 feet) above sea level and Australia’s highest vineyards are only 1320 meters (4,330 feet) in altitude.  The highest vineyard altitude in California is 1000 meters (3300 feet), though most vineyards are about 350 meters (1,150 feet) above sea level. French vineyards have altitudes ranging from 150 to 400 meters (490 – 1,310 feet) above sea level. The high altitude of Salta, Argentina allows for a large amount of sunlight as well as very high diurnal temperature differentials (the difference in temperature between the daytime high and the nighttime low). The soil types of Salta are desert-like and sandy; however, the pure water runoff from the Andes makes the sandy soil more fertile for grape vines. The runoff water makes the soil alluvial. Alluvial soil is an inherently young soil as more runoff water descends each year from mountains and naturally contains lots of minerals—both qualities being perfect for cultivating grape vines. Alluvial soil is porous and thus does not retain humidity. The permeable alluvial soil drains water instead of retaining water because the pores allow for the easy passage of liquids.  Without lots of humidity, fungi and vine pests cannot live—a beneficial feature for vines, the winemakers, and the wine consumer. Argentine soil in general is not rich in organic material allowing for the wine vines to grow independently and develop unique flavors (see Wine Glossary section in Wine 101).

Major varietals of Salta include predominantly Torrontes, although Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tannat have vines in Salta. The Torrontes varietal from Salta is known to be some of the best in all of Argentina. Torrontes thrives in Salta and the rest of Northern Argentina because of the unique combination of strong sun and the high temperature differential from the great altitude of the Andes Mountains. Hot days and cool nights create a large temperature differential that preserves the acidity of the wine, while in Spain, Torrontes usually turns out flabby (see Torrontes section in Wine Varietals). Salta produces 11.8 million kilograms (13,000 US tons) of grapes a year. Argentineans are allowed to consume (meaning that this amount of wine is set aside for domestic consumption) 130,336 hectoliters (34.4 million gallons) of Salta wine, while Salta annually exports 82,050 hectoliters (21.675 million gallons) or about 29.1 million USD worth of wine. Some wineries in the Salta include Bodega Familia Munoz, Estancia y Bodega Colome, Michel Torino, Etchart, Bodegas Nanni, Tikal, Raul Davalos and Vinos de los Andes. 

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