MENDOZA
The region of Mendoza has climatic characteristics that are completely conditioned
by the presence of the Andean mountain range. Its summits usually surpass six
thousand metres in height - the nearby Aconcagua, with 6,959 metres, is an obvious
example of this - and the mountainsides and valleys are almost absolutely arid,
since they are totally lacking in forest mass. This is obviously due to the
shortage of water and the high dust level registered in the region. These conditions
are typical of a clearly continental climate, with considerable thermal inversion
between day and night. The soil has a good layer of stony humus which is very
suitable for the rooting of the vine and has very suitable characteristics for
red varieties.
