Argentina: Beyond Malbec
Argentina Natural Wines
Natural, organic and biodynamic wines are not hot, trendy or new. Since the time of great empires, east or west, fermented beverages have been on offer during banquets, celebrations, rituals and as a daily tonic. Argentina with its rich agricultural roots, with diverse climate, rich soil and plenty of water supplies from different sources including the Andes, is perfect to grow grapes including those imported centuries ago. Malbec (red) and Torronte (white) have taken up roots from plains to high altitude terrains. Since they’ve probably been cultivated and processed by monks and immigrants from the old country, they are sustainable with the least intervention, making delicious natural and organic wines.
Now, we are seeing a revival of old winemaking traditions as well as incorporating new ideas from biodynamic systems. Here are Argentina’s winemakers at the forefront of natural, organic and biodynamic wines.
Natural Wines from Argentina:
Passionate Wines - Passionate Wine is Matías Michelini's project with the aim of showing his passion for wine. It is subdivided into 4 different wine projects, each with a personality and its own identity. The Uco Valley and mainly Tupungato are the terroir chosen for the development of each of the wines and one of the fundamental pillars of the quality and personality that Matias wants to impose on it. My personal favorites are the super drinkable La Criolla Grande red (10% abv) and the exceptionally refreshing Torrontes Brutal skin contact white wine.
Finca Suarez - “We are looking for wines that speak of our farms, the mountains, calcareous soils, warm days, cool nights and our history in this land.” - Juan Suarez 4th generation winemaker at Finca Suarez. Juan is the creator of some of the most approachable and interesting wine labels in Argentina. The sister lineup from the same finca is the Roca Madre selection all of which are exceptionally balanced and great daily drinkers.
Bodegas Krontiras - a relatively newcomer in the winemaking, founded in 2003 by Constantinos and Silvina Krontiras from Greece. They fell in love with Argentina’s open landscape and its likeness with their homeland. They planted new roots in an 80-year old vineyard in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza with the vision of making wines true to biodynamic and organic methods. And they’ve done well with their premium natural wines such as Dona Silvina varieties - Rosado Malbec, Classic Malbec, Torrontes, Aglianico and Malbec-Aglianico Blend. All grapes are picked and selected by hand, with native yeast fermentation. Harvest times between January to March.
Bodega Nanni - Bodega Nanni is one of the oldest wine producers, founded in 1897. They are one of the first to be certified as organic growers and wine producers in Argentina. It takes pride with its wines derived 100% from their own vineyards in San Jose de Chimpa in Cafayate, Salta. They were the first to develop Tannat as a premium varietal. With many firsts on their list of achievements, Nanni offers Torrontes, Malbec, Malbec Blends, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
There are several others Argentinean winemakers adhering to natural, organic and biodynamic methods. All winemakers in this article are members of NOW Argentina - a natural, organic winemaker certification board.