Patagonia

The Alto Valle of Río Negro, in Argentine Patagonia, lies at about 39° south and at low altitude. The climate is dry, with hot summers, cold winters, strong sunlight and wide day-night temperature swings; about 200 mm of rain falls a year, and vines are irrigated by canals carrying water from the Río Negro, on alluvial soils. Its best-known reds are Pinot Noir and Malbec, and Chardonnay is also made.