After a rather politically and economically unstable history, since 2002, things have generally improved for the Argentineans. Exports are on the rise, previously privatised industries have been nationalised and the exchange rate is now more competitive and flexible.

In terms of wine, private wine market analyst Caucasia noted that wine exports from Argentina soared in the first three months of 2006; it is also is the fifth-largest wine producer in the world, with vineyards spread across the country from north to south, over a distance end-to-end of 2,000km.

This report, the first of just-drinks' mini-reports, will give you an overview and background to Argentina's diverse wine industry, including consumption, production, and its future.

Chapter 1 - Argentina - an introduction.

Chapter 2 - Argentina's wine regions. The most concentrated area of wine cultivations is found largely in the west of the country; this chapter identifies each region and its conditions, along with grape varieties produced in Argentina.

Chapter 3 - Argentina's domestic market. Despite a decrease in per capita consumption of wine over the last 25 years, Argentina continues to rank high as a market for still wine, as outlined by the data in this chapter.

Chapter 4 - Argentina's wine history. This chapter explains how the industry has grown since vines first arrived in the 16th century

Chapter 5 - introduces the trade body for Argentina's wine industry

Chapter 6 - provides a SWOT analysis including comment from top industry executives.

Chapter 7 - Argentina's future - an outside view. An interview with Sophie Jump, who has spent the last three years working with individual Argentinean wineries to help them develop exports in the UK and other northern European markets.

Chapter 8 - Argentina's wine exports - the latest figures. In a report issued in May, private wine market analyst Caucasia noted that wine exports from Argentina soared in the first three months of 2006. This chapter identifies the main brands and offers the latest figures for exports by winery, brand and market for Q1 2006.

Chapter 9 - Postscript - Argentina's harvest 2006. An account of the harvest by region: Salta, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza, Neuquen and Rio Negro.

Chapter 1 Argentina - an introduction
Chapter 2 Argentina's wine regions
Salta
Province of La Rioja and Catamarca
Province of San Juan
Province of Mendoza
The Northern Mendoza region
The Mendoza River region
The Uco Valley region
Eastern Mendoza
Southern Mendoza
Province of Rio Negro and Neuquén
Chapter 3 Argentina's domestic market
Chapter 4 Argentina's wine history
Chapter 5 Wines of Argentina
Chapter 6 Argentina's wine industry - a SWOT analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Chapter 7 Argentina's future - an outside view
Chapter 8 Argentina's wine exports - the latest figures
Postscript - Argentina's harvest 2006

List of figures
Figure 1: Argentina's wine regions

List of tables
Table 1: Global wine production 2004-2005 (hectolitres)
Table 2: Grape varieties in Argentina
Table 3: Global still wine consumption share, 2005 and 2010 (estimate)
Table 4: Argentina's domestic consumption 1980-2005 (litres per capita)
Table 5: Argentina: Still light wine - litres per adult population
Table 6: Argentine wine exports, January-March 2006, ranked by winery
Table 7: Wineries and their main brands
Table 8: Argentine wine exports, January-March 2006, ranked by brand
Table 9: Argentine wine exports, January-March 2006, ranked by market