Argentine Malbec In Numbers
Malbec’s quality speaks for itself. But what do the numbers reveal about its impact on Argentina’s wine industry?
Argentina is the leading producer of Malbec. This French grape with Argentine nationality accounts for 42.1% of all red varieties cultivated in the country.
Over 116,000 acres of Malbec are planted across Argentina. It’s cultivated in 18 of the country’s 20 grape-growing provinces. Mendoza dominates with 84.7% of total plantings (98,486 acres), followed by San Juan (6.1%), Salta (3.6%), La Rioja (2.1%), and Neuquén (1.2%). The remaining provinces account for less than 3%.
Mendoza: Malbec heaven
Mendoza is by far the most important province for Malbec viticulture and production. The province’s Malbec plantings are distributed as follows:
Uco Valley: 41.5% (San Carlos 14.7%, Tunuyán 14.2%, Tupungato 12.6%)
Luján de Cuyo: 22.4%
Maipú: 10.2%
Eastern and Southern departments: ~26%
The world drinks Argentine Malbec
Overseas, Malbec accounts for 70.3% of Argentina’s varietal wine exports (2024), with the U.S. and UK as its largest markets, followed closely by Brazil.
This global success isn’t just about quality—it’s about versatility. Malbec is made in diverse styles across Argentina, from fresh and fruity to bold and structured, allowing it to pair beautifully with everything from grilled steak to spicy cuisine. That adaptability has been instrumental in establishing Argentina as the world’s sixth-largest wine producer.
Sources:
- OIV 2025: World Wine Production
- Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura: Informe de Variedades. Malbec (Abril 2024)
- Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura: Informe Annual Exportaciones (January 2025)
- Wines of Argentina
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