By Sharon Tolisano

Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wines in the world, but apparently this South American country is gearing up for a first place finish! With more than 1,000 new wine companies opened for business in 2005, exports and profits rose more than one third from the previous year. This is wonderful news for Argentina's economy, as well as for those wine enthusiasts in other areas of the world that haven't had the pleasure of toasting a glass made from Argentine criollas, or native vines. Although the majority of Argentinian wine is exported to North America and the United Kingdom, new markets are on the rise in Finland, Norway, India, Malaysia and Vietnam.

No wonder! With the perfect climate and soil conditions for growing grapes, Argentina creates wines of superior quality. The Malbec grape produces a large portion of Argentina's red wines with its characteristics of berries, plums, figs, and vanilla. European varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon with overtones of pepper, chocolate and coffee, and the velvety plum and berry-like Merlots and Syrahs are harvested in the shadow of the majestic Andes Mountains and then produced into “bottled poetry”, as so aptly stated by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Exceptional quality and flavor at reasonable prices -- what more does one need? Oh, yes -- a corkscrew, a glass and a toast! Now where did you say Napa Valley was??!!

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