 The altitude here exceeds that of more southerly Uco Valley in Mendoza, leading to extremely dry conditions with high thermal amplitude and excellent results both for red and white wines.The La Rioja region was one of the first areas to be planted by Spanish missionaries and has the longest continued history of wine production in Argentina.Though a relatively small region, with only planted as of 2003, the region is known for aromatic Moscatel de Alexandrias and Torrontés made from a local sub-variety known as "Torrontés Riojano".