Argentina's Newest Wine Region - Patagonia
Tracy Wallace
November 21, 2008
Argentina has experienced a swell of wineries and vineyard plantings in the wine region of Patagonia. Patagonia is about 400 miles south of Argentina´s already famous wine region of Mendoza and next door to the lesser known regions of Neuquen and Rio Negro.
The area is being cultivated by both native Argentinians and outside vintners like California´s Paul Hobbs; Tuscany´s Piero Incisa della Rocchetta and famous winery consultant Michel Rolland.
Don´t pack your bags and jump on a plane for a restful vacation in Patagonia wine country just yet. Patagonia is far from being a tourist haven. The terrain is desolate aside from the scrub and the smattering of cursory rivers that brings water down from the Andes to the west.
The primary grape varietals grown are Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and in smaller numbers Pinot Noir.
The area boasts plenty of sunshine and dry climate along with a wide range between day and nighttime temperatures. Threats to this grape growing region are strong winds which not only provides a challenge in tangling vine canopies but also the removal of buds during flowering. To help circumvent the winds, many vineyards have Poplar trees planted on the perimeter as a windbreak and prevent vine shoots from twisting. Strong winds can also cause wine grapes to grow a thicker skin resulting in harsher tannins if the winemaker isn´t careful. Additional challenges to the area includes wild parrots which eat the newly formed grapes and inexperienced labor. As in many New World wine regions irrigation is a must and irrigation systems can be costly for a start up vineyard.
What makes wines from Patagonia different than those from other regions of Argentina? The mild flavor and aroma of graphite, especially in Patagonian Malbec. The note isn´t unpleasant but it does offer the wine drinker an understanding of the terrior of the region.
Tango Wine Company does have one wine from this hot new wine region; from the Familia Schroeder winery under the label Saurus. The Saurus label is in reference to the dinosaur bone found when digging the winery foundation. The owner of Familia Schroeder is Roberto Schroeder who built the winery in 2004. The winemaker is Leonardo Pappato who gained hands on experience from working at the Chandon winery in Mendoza. The Saurus Malbec on hand is juicy with a slightly raisined quality and at $14.95 it gives a lot of flavor for the price.
The area is being cultivated by both native Argentinians and outside vintners like California´s Paul Hobbs; Tuscany´s Piero Incisa della Rocchetta and famous winery consultant Michel Rolland.
Don´t pack your bags and jump on a plane for a restful vacation in Patagonia wine country just yet. Patagonia is far from being a tourist haven. The terrain is desolate aside from the scrub and the smattering of cursory rivers that brings water down from the Andes to the west.
The primary grape varietals grown are Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and in smaller numbers Pinot Noir.
The area boasts plenty of sunshine and dry climate along with a wide range between day and nighttime temperatures. Threats to this grape growing region are strong winds which not only provides a challenge in tangling vine canopies but also the removal of buds during flowering. To help circumvent the winds, many vineyards have Poplar trees planted on the perimeter as a windbreak and prevent vine shoots from twisting. Strong winds can also cause wine grapes to grow a thicker skin resulting in harsher tannins if the winemaker isn´t careful. Additional challenges to the area includes wild parrots which eat the newly formed grapes and inexperienced labor. As in many New World wine regions irrigation is a must and irrigation systems can be costly for a start up vineyard.
What makes wines from Patagonia different than those from other regions of Argentina? The mild flavor and aroma of graphite, especially in Patagonian Malbec. The note isn´t unpleasant but it does offer the wine drinker an understanding of the terrior of the region.
Tango Wine Company does have one wine from this hot new wine region; from the Familia Schroeder winery under the label Saurus. The Saurus label is in reference to the dinosaur bone found when digging the winery foundation. The owner of Familia Schroeder is Roberto Schroeder who built the winery in 2004. The winemaker is Leonardo Pappato who gained hands on experience from working at the Chandon winery in Mendoza. The Saurus Malbec on hand is juicy with a slightly raisined quality and at $14.95 it gives a lot of flavor for the price.
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