Luján de Cuyo is a wine-producing sub-region of Argentina's largest viticultural area, Mendoza. Unsurprisingly, Malbec is the region's most-important grape variety, producing Bold, intensely flavored red wines. Excellent wines are also produced here from Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Torrontés.
Located in a valley just South of Mendoza City itself, the Luján de Cuyo region is home to some of the most famous names in Argentinean wine.
These include Catena Zapata, Bodega Septima and Cheval des Andes.
The small town of Luján de Cuyo is on the northern banks of the Mendoza River. From here the viticultural area of the same name stretches south for roughly 30 kilometers (20 miles) between the Andes Mountains in the west and the Lunlunta hills in the east.
The region was the first in Argentina to be officially recognized as an appellation in 1993, and includes the wine-producing zones of Vistalba, Las Compuertas, Perdriel, Agrelo and Ugarteche.
MaipuLies directly east of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley is to the south.
The region's position on the edge of the imposing Andes mountain chain has an enormous effect on the Terroir. The hot, DryClimate is moderated by the high altitude of the region, averaging about 1000m (3300ft) above sea level.
At this altitude, the vineyards are subject to more-intense solar radiation during the day than lower-lying areas.
Carménère is a grape variety of Bordeaux origin. It is the result of a cross between Cabernet Franc and Gros Cabernet. In France, it occupies only about ten hectares, but it is also grown in Chile, Peru, the Andes, California, Italy and Argentina. The leaves of the carmenere are shiny and revolute. Its berries are round and medium-sized. Carménère is susceptible to grey rot, especially in wet autumn. It can also be exposed to the risk of climatic coulure, which is why it is important to grow it on poor soil and in warm areas. Carménère is associated with an average second ripening period. This variety has only one approved clone, 1059. It can be vinified with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It produces a rich, highly coloured wine, which acquires character when combined with other grape varieties.
red wines from the region of Lujan de Cuyo go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, pasta or lamb such as recipes of small stuffed fish from nice, fettuccine with cream and cheese or trapper's barbecue.
