Argentina has a history of wine making stretching back to 1557, when the first vine cuttings were imported during the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

The first vineyards were planted in Santiago del Estero, and northern Argentina continues to account for the majority of wine production as nearby Mendoza accounts for more than 60% of Argentine wine.

Today, Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wine globally, and one of the highest consumers per capita.

Although neighboring Chile produces more wine per capita, Argentinians consume as much as 90% of wine produced according to 2006 figures, with Argentinians consuming 40 liters annually per capita, compared to 55 liters in France, and just 16 in Chile.