THE CENTRE - MAIPÚ

This is the region of Mendoza where most of the early immigrants were settled, some arriving as far back as 1878 and it is here that their parcel of free land was located.  Many of these new and welcome arrivals were from Itialy.  Consequently Maipú boasts as many Olive trees as vines.  They even boast their own annual Olive Queen Festival.  The Cabernet Sauvignon from some sub-regions of Maipu is remarkable.

 

Temperature range: Wide. Average 15C. The region covers three brackets in the Winkler Scale. 2000 degree days in the coolest zones. 2,100 in-between and 2,160 in the warmest areas.

 

Altitude:750m to 1,060.

 

Soils: Shallow and loam-clayish, alkaline and saline in the North. Further South the soil is gravely due to minerals deposited by water from the Andes. The ground is well drained and organically poor.

 

Grape varities: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Sangiovese and Tannat. Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Semillon, Tocai Friulano, Ugni Blanc and Riesling.

 

Importante wineries: Carniae, Benegas, Finca Flichman, Tempus Alba, Navarro Correas.