Mendoza is undoubtedly the largest and the most prominent wine region in Argentina. Mendoza holds 75% of the total vineyards in the country and the largest number of wineries as well and one of the main wine-producing regions in the world. It is the new homeland of the French Malbec from the south, which has elevated the status of the Argentinian wines to another level. The vinicultural history of Mendoza is almost as old as the colonial history of Argentina itself with the first vines planted by priests of the Catholic Church's Jesuit order in the mid-16th Century. Back in the days, they have used agricultural techniques from the Incas and Huarpes, who had owned the land before them. Mendoza wine region has a continental climate with mild and dry weather and medium humidity, and soils with a mostly stony and calcareous upper layer of sand, clay or loam. These excellent conditions create a perfect environment for quality viticulture as well as the highly situated vineyards at an altitude of 500 to 1,200 metres above sea level. The region is divided into five large areas which are located near the rivers that provide half of the necessary water for the essential artificial irrigation of the vineyards. The best and world-renowned sub-regions in Mendoza include Maipú, San Martin, Barrancas, Carrizal, Carrodillas, Coquimbito, Santa Rosa, General Alvear, San Carlos, Tunuyán and Tupungato. The grapes which are grown are mostly international with the predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Bonarda. Mendoza has developed a reputation for fine sparkling wine as well. Undoubtedly, this is one of the New World most appraised and distinguished wine regions. Mendoza has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers and it is an ideal place for red grape varieties, with Malbec being the main one.