At the foot of the Andes, which are over 6,000 metres high, wine has been grown in Argentina for over 450 years. Today, top wines grow on mineral-rich soils in the world’s highest vineyards. The “silver country” is brimming with ideal climatic conditions and mineral-rich melt water from the Andes feeds the cultivation for the best wine from Argentina. A large number of European grape varieties provide for taste diversity at a high level. Malbec is considered the queen of grape varieties – Malbec wine is cult!
Ojo de Agua Winery – Argentina
In the late 1990ies, Dieter Meier, artist and avant-gardist, fulfilled his long-standing dream: In Mendoza, Argentina, he purchased a vineyard of 380 hectares, of which about 120 hectares have been planted until today. Dieter Meier is fully committed to wines from controlled organic cultivation. He himself calls his wines pure and honest. In addition to winegrowing, Dieter Meier has invested in Argentinean cattle breeding; his organic meat enjoys an excellent reputation. Dieter Meier’s Puro collection includes three different wines. One of them is a single-varietal Malbec, which also bears this name. The other two are blends of the grape varieties Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. For the production of these wines, only organically certified grapes are used.
Would you like to experience how Ojo de Agua wines are made? They look forward to welcoming you as a guest in Mendoza! Registration at guest@ojodeagua.global
Alta Vista – Argentina
Alta Vista combines and unites the two great wine cultures of France and Argentina. The French side is expressed by blending different grape varieties and terroirs and by using French oak barrels. Through the climate, the soils and of course the people who accompany the wine, the Argentine expression is revealed. Alta Vista is an ambassador for the typical grape varieties of Argentina: Torrontés as a white wine variety, Bonarda and especially Malbec as red wine varieties. As great wines are produced in unique places, Alta Vista’s vineyards contain the best terroirs of Mendoza and Salta. A total of 209 hectares of vineyards are spread over five sites, all of which are at least 1,000 metres above sea level. The Malbecs of the Terroir Selection and Premium line are the perfect example of how grapes from different soils can complement each other. Under the extreme conditions that prevail in the vineyards (altitude, dryness, poor soils), the Malbec grape can develop its aromas to the full. www.altavistawines.com
Budeguer – Argentina
This winery is also a family project and was opened in 2005 by the Argentine Juan José Budeguer. In contrast to Clos de Charcas, the bodega is not a restored old building, but a new building with a modern design. Dynamism and simple openness are the common thread running through all areas of the winery. Even the heart of the winery – the wine cellar – is not closed behind several cellar doors, but directly after entering the bodega, you can look through a huge glass wall to the spacious barrel storage. The wines stored here are all handpicked. Besides some Malbecs, there is also a Rosè made of Pinot Noir on offer (very refreshing and a nice change to many other Malbec Rosès in Mendoza) as well as the highlight of Budeguer, the Black Blend 4000. www.budeguer.com
Clos de Charcas – Argentina
Clos de Charcas is a family-run boutique winery with an excellent restaurant, fantastic wines and an idyllic country house feel. Only a few pictures and the descriptions of the staff still bear witness to the fact that Clos de Charcas was actually once a huge mass operation (like almost all Argentinian wine producers before 1990). Because even before its closure in 1987, about 45 million liters of wine were “washed” onto the Argentine market here every year. However, with the reopening in 2004 by the grandchildren of the original owner, this has changed fundamentally. Since then, they have concentrated only on premium wines. And this very successfully. Besides a great Malbec (2014) and the Grand Estirpe Blend (from Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Merlot), we particularly liked the Chardonnay.
Editor’s tip: On weekends, the restaurant also offers an a lá carte menu (which is also extremely rare in Mendoza – usually only menus with corresponding wines are offered). Registration possible via the website: www.closdechacras.com.ar (only available in Spanish)
Nieto Senetiner Bodegas – Argentina
The small Bodega Casa Nieto Senetiner is located in the Vistalba Valley, Argentina, surrounded by vines, with the imposing Andes Cordillera behind and reached through a magnificent olive tree avenue. At 1000 to 3000 meters above sea level, this is the oldest and most important wine region in the country. Here the top wines Cadus and Nieto Senetiner Reserva are pressed and matured. With modern cellar equipment, a new barrique cellar and a young team, the style has changed in recent years. Despite a dense structure and beautiful fullness, the wines should give a lot of pleasure when young. They are intensely fruity, fresh, juicy and with a delicate melt. https://www.nietosenetiner.com.ar/en/
Bodegas Salentein – Argentina
In 1995, the Dutchman Meindert Pon founded Bodegas Salentein in Argentina. As early as 8 years later, the company was awarded as “Argentinian Winery of the Year”. Since 2010, José Galante, who, by the way, is considered to be one of the most important and most successful enologists of the country, has been the chief winemaker. His goal is to make optimal use of the excellent conditions in the vineyards as well as of the technical conditions in the winery. The highest priority is to obtain a maximum of natural fruit aromas in the wines. The cellar of Bodegas Salentein is an imposing structure in the form of a huge underground cross. The centre of the four two-storey cellar corridors is laid out like an ancient forum with columns.
Our tip: The Salentein Barrel Selection Chardonnay. The spirited Argentine comes along wonderfully fresh and aromatic. Citrus tones, tropical fruits, aromas of apples and pears as well as the delicate scent of white flowers rise from the seductively complex bouquet to the nose. http://www.bodegasalentein.com/en/home.html
Trapiche – Argentina
From more than 125 years of experience, Trapiche has the potential to produce first-class wines of continuously high quality. The winery is located in Mendoza, the center of Argentinean viticulture – known for its first-class growing areas nestled against the Andes. But Trapiche also obtains the grapes for its wines of strong character from other top regions of Argentina. With the vineyards situated at an altitude of up to 2,300 metres, precipitation is rare. The glacier water from the Andes provides optimal irrigation in the partly desert-like areas. Argentina’s hot days and cool nights challenge the vines and result in ripe, full-fruited wines – à la Trapiche. And often at astonishingly low prices. https://www.trapiche.com.ar/comex_new/en/
More topics about wine at GO Sixt:
Wine package Primitivo from Southern Italy
Dieter Meier and his PURO wine
The history of the corkscrew
