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.
Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest red grape varieties in Bordeaux. The Libourne region is its terroir where it develops best. The terroirs of Saint-Emilion and Fronsac allow it to mature and develop its best range of aromas. It is also the majority in many blends. The very famous Château Cheval Blanc, for example, uses 60% Cabernet Franc. The wines produced with Cabernet Franc are medium in colour with fine tannins and subtle aromas of small red fruits and spices. When blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings complexity and a bouquet of aromas to the wine. It produces fruity wines that can be drunk quite quickly, but whose great vintages can be kept for a long time. It is an earlier grape variety than Cabernet Sauvignon, which means that it is planted as far north as the Loire Valley. In Anjou, it is also used to make sweet rosé wines. Cabernet Franc is now used in some twenty countries in Europe and throughout the world.
red wines from the region of Lujan de Cuyo go well with generally quite well with dishes of veal, pork or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of veal shoulder with cream and tarragon, the garbure or my grandmother's rabbit stew.
