Argentina grows a wide variety of grapes in different regions. Vineyards have grown in Argentina since the mid-16th century. Many of Argentina's original grape varieties were brought over by Italian, Spanish and French immigrants. Argentina is a massive country, most of the vineyard land in Argentina lies to the north and west, on the right side of the Andes Mountains neighboring Chile. The Andes insulate the country's vineyards from the cool, moist air blowing off the Pacific Ocean, thereby creating the conditions for viticulture.
High altitude tempers the climate, the vineyards are warm by day and cool by night.
Runoff streams originating in the Andes mountains flow through the area and provide ample water for irrigation for the vineyards in the region, most of which are found in the state of Mendoza, roughly at the same latitude as Santiago, Chile. Argentina's emphasis on its own premium varietal, Malbec. In its native France, where it also is known as Cot, the black grape Malbec was popular 50 years ago but fell from favor. French Malbec has been in decline, largely because it is highly susceptible to mildew, frost and rot. What's more, in France it tends to yield wines that are simple and short-lived.