Commentary: The Global Competitiveness of Argentina’s Premium Wines Chris Lehoux, January 31, 2024February 4, 2024 We covered our experiences sampling some of Argentina’s reasonably priced red and white wines frequently found on retailers’ shelves a week ago. Argentina also manufactures a range of high-priced superior wines, competing with the world’s finest. Argentina boasts an incredibly extensive chain of viticulture zones, extending from the north in Salta to the south in Patagonia, over 1,200 miles apart. Nearly every single one of them exports quality wines, produced in this region stretching north to south along the Andes Mountains, grown in eroded soils from the summits. The region profits from considerable day to night temperature fluctuations crucial for viticulture, plus a highly dry climate keeping pests and diseases at bay. We recently tasted a variety of top-notch red and white wines and were favorably charmed by the results. Here are our thoughts. Trapiche Gran Medalla Chardonnay Mendoza 2020 ($35-40). A rather delightful chardonnay exhibiting citrus and apple flavors with a hint of cream in the end. Vina Cobos Vinculum Chardonnay Mendoza 2019 ($55). A creation of Paul Hobbs, where hints of Californian influence can be noticed in the form of strong tropical fruit flavors, a touch of lightly toasted oak, and a pinch of lemon. This drink has been our top pick among whites. Otronia No. 3 & No. 6 Chardonnay Patagonia 2019 ($90). The cool climate of Patagonia is reflected in this wine’s mineral-driven apple and citrus flavors. Achaval Ferrer Quimera Mendoza 2019 ($40). This wine is notably superior, more so given its reasonable pricing. The impressive blend contains a majority of 59% malbec combined with the remaining four quintessential red Bordeaux varietals, in a natural and unrefined state. The very low yield of just 1.3 tons per acre produces a dense and intense wine with rich plum and blackberry flavors wrapped up in gentle tannin layers. This was our preferred selection from the red wine group. Alta Vista Single Vineyard Albaneve Campo De Los Andes Valle De Uco Malbec 2018 ($50). Made using 100% malbec grapes and matured in French oak, this charming wine chiefly exhibits plum and cherry flavors with a gentle hint of vanilla. Fabre Montmayou Grandvin Partida Limitada Red Wine Luhan De Cuyo 2019 ($54). Principally Malbec, supplemented by a hint of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Matured in French oak, it offers a velvety encounter brimming with plum and vanilla flavours. Remarkably palatable. Otronia No. 1 Pinot Noir Patagonia 2019 ($90). Cultivated in the extraordinarily cold-climate of the Patagonian region in southern Argentina. Professionally bottled from organic grapes, this Pinot Noir creates a striking, spirited presence on the palate with ripe and tart cherry notes. Susana Balbo Nosotros Single Vineyard Nomade Malbec Valle De Uco Mendoza 2018 ($125). This was indeed our top pick amongst the reds, albeit the sticker shock. Competing favorably with some Napa Valley’s finest, this is an exceptional wine. Pleasurable hazes and tastes of plum, cherry and cedar provide a splendid sensory delight. It has been matured primarily in new French oak for over a year. Absolutely a superior wine. In discussions amongst wine enthusiasts concerning sparkling wines, champagne, cava, prosecco and an array of domestic brands instantly come to mind. However, Trentodoc is likely to generate a puzzled look. The scarcity of choices in the U.S. has made this northeastern Italian sparkling wine producer somewhat of a hidden gem. Prior to the first World War, this hilly area was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but post war, Italy gained control over it. This designation solely produces white and rosé sparkling wine. It uses the same grape varieties and manufacturing procedure as the French champagne. This results in a sparkling wine of exceptional quality that in certain cases can rival its French counterpart. A small patch of about 2,800 acres is responsible for the production of grapes in Trentodoc, and interestingly, a major part of it (around 80%) is consumed domestically. Recently, we sampled three rosés from this region in order to acquaint our taste buds with this sparkling wine and to evaluate whether it is worth the trouble for customers to search for this elusive wine. Our top picks were the 2016 Rotari Trentodoc Rosé ($25), a blend of 75% pinot noir and 15% chardonnay. The sparkling wine has a nose reminiscent of yeasty bread, coupled with notes of strawberry and cherry. A very balanced, bright wine. The next favorite was the Ferrari Trentodoc Brut Rosé N/V ($35-40). It is made with 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. With a similarly appealing yeasty nose and creamy berry notes. A delightful sparkling wine that is simple to enjoy. True Myth San Luis Obispo Coast Pinot Noir 2022 ($28). This Central Coast region earned its AVA status only last year. This variant, both affordable and enjoyable, features classic cherry and juicy strawberry flavors with a hint of spice. San Salvatore Elea 2008 Campania 2018 ($20). The majority of this wine from Campania in Italy undergoes fermentation in stainless steel tanks to capture the freshness of the greco grape. Thanks to the influence of the Mediterranean Sea, it has stone fruit and olive notes with a subtle minerality. Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha 2020 ($50). The depth of this all-garnacha from Campo de Borja, Spain is shockingly magnificent. Jammy strawberry and black cherry flavors blend with a dash of spice and pepper, complimenting the grapes from old vines splendidly. Cormorant Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2021 ($24). Charlie Gilmore embarked on his own venture in 2018 after a 12-year tenure at Fetzer. His creation is a sauvignon blanc that is organically sourced, well-balanced, pure and bursting with intensity, minus the lipsmacking grassy and grapefruit notes. It’s the white peach, citrus and ginger notes that make it delectable. Chalmers Felicitas 2019 ($42). The Victoria region of Australia is growing in reputation as new wines begin to penetrate the American market. This sparking wine, produced entirely from the fiano grape, is impressive. We were surprised to find such vibrant and delightful flavor in a grape native to Italy. There is pleasant acidity and apple notes too. Tom Marquardt and Patrick Darr have been writing a weekly, syndicated wine column since 1985. Visit their blog at moreaboutwine.com. They can be contacted at marq1948@gmail.com. About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine