“Founded in 1902, by the Italian immigrant Nicola Catena, who defended the malbec grape early on despite his declining popularity in Bordeaux, Catena Zapata is today a center of detailed viticultural study, with vineyards nicknamed the grand crus from the country. Nicola Catena’s grandson, Nicolás, is one of the most decorated living winemakers and has taken Argentine winemaking to the dizzying heights that now set it apart,” they described in the prestigious ranking The World’s Best Vineyards.
The exclusive listing positioned Mendoza winery Catena Zapata In the pFirst place in the ranking of the Best Vineyards in the World, along with another 50 wineries. “Currently, the farm is in charge of her daughter Laura, who created the Catena Institute of Winedeveloping Argentina’s sustainability code and collaborating with the best universities in the world to get the best out of their own vineyards and, more generally, to help Argentine wines reach their full potential”, detailed the specialists of the oenologist portal. .
“One does not know Argentine Malbec until they have tried Catena Zapata. Due to the higher altitudes, hers is flowery, pretty, and surprisingly light in color. The farm also produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and a set of autochthonous grape varieties, some of natural style”, concluded those responsible for the list and pointed out: “Dr. Laura Catena She is recognized worldwide for her work as an ambassador for Argentine wine. She collaborates with the winemaker Alejandro Vigil, to generate pure expressions of his family’s terroirs, even in the smallest plots”.
But Catena Zapata is not the only Mendoza wine enterprise to make the top ten. In ninth place are the Salentein Wineries. “A true landmark of the Uco Valley of Mendozasource of today’s iconic South American wines, Portillo, Killka and Salentein. The venture was born in 1996, when the Dutch businessman, Mijndert Ponbought the current property and began to plant vineyards”, they mentioned in the specialized site.
In 1997, the first high-altitude Malbec was established in Uco, located at an impressive 1,300 meters above sea level. Barely a year later, the first stone of the monumental building that is the Salentein winery was laid. This dazzling structure, located in the heart of extensive vineyards with the majestic Andes mountainscovered with snow, as a backdrop, never ceases to amaze those who visit it.
In tenth place, another local wine appears, representing national production, “The enemy”. “It is the passionate project of two Argentine friends that has earned a cult following, devised during a twilight stay with the river thames in london in 2009. The enemy it was created to produce a wine that respected history, traditions and at the same time rejected the status quo”, they add from the specialized page.
In the thirteenth position, is located Durigutti Family Winemakers. The family winery began in 2002, as a small venture created by the winemaking brothers Hector and Pablo Durigutti. Originating from rivadaviain his youth, the producers had settled with the Victoria Estate in the region of The Gates. “Growing up they always knew that it was the place they needed to make their wines. Initially focusing on export, they reinvested as much as they could in the winery, purchasing their first vineyard in 2007, which they named Victoria Estatein honor of his mother. And although they wanted to continue with the traditions and express the sense of the place in their wines, they always kept abreast of the evolving trends in the rest of the world”, they expressed on the Ranking website.
“To visit the oldest winery in Argentina you have to venture out. It is a journey that will take you far fromto famous region of Mendozain the northwest of the country, in the province of Salta. There, hidden in the impressive Calchaqui Valleyand more than 2,000 meters above sea level, is Colome Winery. Hidden in a corner of the valley, surrounded by great natural beauty and stillness, an incredible experience awaits you that combines art, culture, travel, gastronomy and wine”, they describe in the Ranking, referring to the twenty-fourth position occupied by the Colome Winery, considered the oldest wine producer in Argentina.
Hospitality is central to the Colomé experience. “Any visit starts with the journey to just get there. A challenging route through the hills, getting higher and higher in the clouds. It is a vast landscape, where the sun radiates energy more intensely and the stars shine brighter in the night sky. There are four visits to choose from, each of which explores different facets of the history of the winery, winemaking and tastings of various wines”, they explained de The World’s Best Vineyards .
Finally, in position 48, is Diamonds Winery. “There is a long tradition of winemakers from large European wine regions looking to broaden their horizons and found new ventures in new territories. As expected, many of them find what they are looking for in Argentina. The combination of Mendoza’s environmental conditions, optimal growing conditions and the sheer intensity of the fruit is an irresistible draw. In 2005, the bonnie familyowner of Château Malartic-Lagravière and Château Gazin Rocquencourt in Bordeaux, he searched for his own piece of this unique environment. The result was Diamandes Winery in the heart of the Uco Valleya prestigious sub-region of Mendoza”, they refer to on the site.
“The estate’s philosophy combines Bordeaux oenological knowledge and traditions in a way that respects and enhances the elegance of the local terroir. Located over 1,000 meters above sea level, the 130 hectares of vines are cultivated organically and by hand to guarantee that the grapes reach the highest quality”, the portal concluded with the last representative of the Albiceleste wine industry.
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