The Perfect Marriage of Grape Variety and Terroir
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Catena Zapata |
The Province
of Mendoza is Argentina’s largest and most
important wine region, where more than 80% of the country’s top wines are
produced. Situated in the foothills of the Andes, at the Western border of Argentina, Mendoza
is between the latitudes of 32 and 37 degrees south. Mendoza
is as far away from the Equator as Napa
and many other world class wine regions in the world.
The province has a unique desert climate with
low rainfall and 300 days of sunshine a year. Glacial melt-waters flow from the
Andes into the vineyards as natural
irrigation. The low incidence of pests, unwanted moisture, rot and fungus mean
there is little need for pesticides or fungicides.
The Andes are
responsible for the higher altitude at which Malbec and other varieties
flourish and enjoy the penetrating sunlight intensity that endows the grapes
with vibrant flavor and deep color. The wines also show aromatic delicacy, with
floral notes (in particular, violet for Malbec), and great complexity due to
the ripeness of the tannins.
This unique combination of organically poor
soils, unique desert climate, high altitude vineyard elevations, and a
diversity of grape varieties allows us to achieve the perfect marriage of grape
variety and terroir.
The Three Regions of Mendoza
There are 3 desertic regions in Mendoza. The Northern
Oasis comprises the departments of Lujàn de Cuyo, Maipu, Godoy
Cruz, Guaymallén to the West and the departments of San Martín, Santa Rosa, La Paz,
etc. to the East. All these departments are wine producing regions. The Western
Region is considered a top producing region and the Eastern region is an
inferior region. Elevation in this region is between 700m and 1,200m. The Lujan
de Cujo region is called "Primera Zona" (Top Area)
Wineries which produce wines from top locations
will tend to mention the sectors or departments their wines come from. Therefore, wineries proudly mention that their
wines are produced in the sector of Vistalba, or Agrelo, or Lunlunta, Las
Compuertas, Major Drummond, Chacras de Coria, Ugarteche, or Perdriel (all these
sectors are in the department of Lujan de Cuyo). They will do so because in Argentina
the cognoscenti know that these are top producing areas.
However, to the average American consumer these
designations would be considered meaningless. All they want to know is that the
wine is from Mendoza.
If you wanted to be really cool, you might want to mention the Lujan de Cuyo
department or the Uco Valley central oasis on your label (in addition to Mendoza).
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Salentein - Mendoza |
Agro-ecological conditions are virtually
perfect, and it has been chosen by dozens of wineries that produce the most
exquisite fine Argentine wines. The soil surface is constituted by alluvial
fine sediments. Stony subsoil settle limoarcillosos sandy
sediments. His poverty is great organic, ensuring high-quality
crops for processing of fine wines. The climate is mild, sunny and arid, low
rainfall, with moderate winds and humidity to ensure the balance of sugar and
acidity in musts and formation of polyphenols.
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Oak barrels rest behind brick arched windows |
We may also refer to this region as the "land of Malbec" because this variety is
closely related to its environment, presenting a bouquet and a quality
unmatched in any other wine region in the world.
The alluvial soils are sandy loam and silt type
sandy in the higher areas, as well as deep and stony.The more than 60,000
hectares irrigated with water channeled from the rivers Mendoza and Tunuyán
offer varieties like Merlot, Malbec, Bonarda, Sangiovese, Ugni Blanc, Syrah,
Tempranillo, Pedro Gimenez and others. Most are used for the production of
musts, concentrated juices and fine wines of excellence.It is the largest
producer of wines in the province.
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Wine Tasting at Escorihuela Gascon |
UCO VALLEY
With the rivers Tunuyán and Tupungato as axes,
the Uco Valley has a number of characteristics
similar to other areas that make up the central region but with characteristics
that are favorable and adverse time for vineyards.The altitude of cultivated
land between 900 and 1,200 meters above sea level. The height produces large
temperature variation between day and night allowing you to produce wines of
excellent color suitable for long aging. Furthermore, it is responsible for the
high acid levels, in some cases, must be controlled by the malolactic
fermentation.Some of the reds more representative of recent times are from the Uco Valley,
which has been growing geometrically foreign capital investments. The most common
are red varieties: Malbec, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.White
varieties are also grown with excellent results, including Rioja Torrontes,
Semillon (white grape is the most cultivated), Chenin, Sauvignon Blanc and
Chardonnay.
SOUTH MENDOZA
The Southern Mendoza
oasis is the most southerly production of the province.The southern vineyards
are located at lower altitude than the rest of the region. These slope gently
eastward from 800 meters above sea level to 450.Irrigated by the river Atuel
and Diamond, and 18 percent of the vineyards of the province, producing musts
for table wines and the remarkable development of fine wines, rooted in
calcareous alluvial soils.
The thermal amplitude levels in the area favor
the production of antocianinar also responsible for color in wines. Red
varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Bonarda are the starting
points for obtaining wines of excellent visual body, which are gaining daily
positions in international markets. It includes the departments of Las Heras,
Guaymallén, part of Maipu and part of San Martin.
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O Fournier - Uco Valley |
O FOURNIER winery in Tupungato
are a great place to visit. Great hosts (José Manuel Ortega Gil-Fournier
and his wife), great wines (some received 93 and 94 points from The Wine
Advocate). The best food you will have in Mendoza. The owner´s Spanish wife is an outstanding chef. ( Nadia
Haron ).
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Restaurant Urban |
MENDOZA COMPARED TO NAPA VALLEY
The only similarity between the 2 regions is
that they both revolve around wine ( a pretty important similarity!) Both are
great places to visit. Wineries in the Mendoza
area are spread out further apart. You won't have the bumper to bumper traffic
like you do along the Silverado Trail in Napa.
Mendoza is Napa
30 or 40 years ago. But while money is pouring in, charming hotels
are popping up, and wineries are going all-out architecturally, Mendoza remains very much
an old-world experience. Therefore, visitors do need pre-planning to be sure that the
wineries are open and reservations in advance are essential.
We design unique Wine Tasting Tours throughout Mendoza. Our Tours are
ideal for people who have an interest in fine wine, but don't think of
themselves as wine connoisseurs.
Visit vineyards
and stunning architecture, offering indoor and outdoor seated tastings by
friendly and knowledgeable local Guides.We will take you to at least four charming, hidden gem wineries.
Contact us for more information about Mendoza and our featured Wine Tours or book your wine tour and ensure availability.