Río Negro

The river valleys of Río Negro have a longer wine history than many of Patagonia’s newer districts. Pinot Noir, Merlot and Malbec grow alongside whites such as Sémillon and Riesling. The vineyards run through differing elevations and soils, so the province covers a meaningful range of sites rather than one narrow terroir.

For a useful introduction, look for a named valley or vineyard and compare a red with one of the older white varieties. The Patagonian setting does not guarantee a delicate wine: grower decisions, vine age and the particular location remain important. A provincial origin gives more precision than Patagonia alone.