Catamarca

Catamarca's vineyards sit in high, mountain-enclosed valleys of northwestern Argentina. Dry conditions, strong temperature swings and sandy-stony soils shape the growing season, and producers need supplementary irrigation. Tinogasta, the province's largest wine area, follows north-south valleys along the Sierra de Fiambalá. With Fiambalá, it forms one of two main production zones; the other is the Calchaquí Valleys around Santa María. Belén, Pomán and Andalgalá are also named production areas. Cereza and Torrontés dominate the vineyards. Cereza is a high-yielding pink-skinned heritage grape that accounts for more than a third of valley plantings, while Torrontés Riojano is suited to aromatic wines. Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda are also planted, with interest in several of them growing.