A trip to Argentina
We spent some time at a vineyard in Uco Valley, taking in the sun and drinking lots of wine (for purely educational purposes, of course). A bit about our trip down south, winemaking, and Malbec…
Uco Valley
Uco Valley is a wine producing region in southwest Argentina about a 2 hour drive from Mendoza. Think Andes Mountains in the background, Tunayan River cutting through, and acres and acres of grapes on vines.
Uco Valley has a unique combination of high altitude, soil composition, and low humidity that not only create a perfect environment for viticulture, but also make the region particularly conducive to the production of organic and biodynamic wines.
Altitude: Elevation ranges from 900-1,500m above sea level and helps with a few things. 1. Cooler temperatures in the summer that creates a longer growing season, 2. Temperature variation between day and night ripens grapes slowly and develops complex, balanced flavors
Soil composition: Soils are alluvial, consisting of sand, silt, and gravel. 1. Soils drain quickly and stress the vines to find water, leading to higher quality grapes with more character, 2. Lots of minerals in the soil + usage of drip irrigation reduces water usage and improves vine quality
Low humidity: The climate is arid, meaning there's a smaller risk of fungal diseases. This means farmers don't have to use pesticides to keep their vines healthy, substantially enabling organic practices
Biodynamic wine production
Biodynamic winemaking views the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem and emphasizes the interconnectedness of the soil, plants, animals, and the cosmos. Think of it as a step further than organic. The idea is that you get a wine that not only tastes good, but is also more representative of the terroir.
A few key elements:
No synthetic chemicals: Biodynamic viticulture doesn't use pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Instead, they might use special herbal and mineral preparations to help vine growth from things like compost, cow manure, and quartz
Lunar and cosmic rhythms: Just like the moon influences ocean tides, the belief is that it also affects farming cycles.The timing of planting, pruning, and harvesting is aligned with the moon and planets, in the belief that the vines will be more balanced and healthy
Biodiversity: Biodynamic vineyards often include a diverse range of plants, animals, and insects to create a balanced ecosystem (like llamas and sheep!) This biodiversity helps to naturally control pests and diseases and improves soil health by promoting microbial activity and nutrient cycling
A glass of Malbec
The Malbec grape originated in southwest France, but it didn't grow very well there. So poorly in fact that it was named 'mal-bec" an abbreviation of "mal bouche" or bad in the mouth.
When it was introduced to Argentina in the mid-19th century, it adapted particularly well to the regional climate and began to thrive. It's now the country’s flagship grape and is perfect for the conditions in Uco Valley.
Malbec from the Uco Valley is known for its deep color, intense flavors, and balanced structure. The wines typically exhibit rich notes of dark fruit, such as blackberry, plum, and black cherry, complemented by floral hints of violet and subtle spice. The thick skins of the grapes also help contribute to the wine’s robust tannins and aging potential.
A few of the favorites we tried were the Alpasion Grand Malbec 2019 and Bousquet Reserve Organic Malbec 2021.
A gorgeous time in the mountains, we'll be sampling a few Argentinian wines in the months to come at our Supper Club, we can't wait to welcome you!
