.
⮚ Merlot: the production of this variety in Argentina is still making its first
steps. It is not easy to produce good wine from this grape since it can
generated diluted wines if it is nos grown in the suitable climate and soil.
However some Argentine winemakers such as Humberto Canale in Rio
Negro and Salentein or Ruggeri in Mendoza have already proved that
they are making good progress producing excellent wines of this grape
variety. The last year, the Surface of merlot plantations has increased
significantly, mainly because of the high demand of a new public
influenced by a trend coming from USA, where merlot wine is one of the
preferred varieties. The merlot plays an important role in blended wines.
It is often used to soften wines where the Cabernet Sauvignon is present
in high percentage. You should taste the Marcus Gran Reserva Merlot
from Rio Negro. The Viniterra Merlot and the full bodied Angelica Zapata
Merlot also.
Merlot is characterized by its smooth texture on the palate due to its low
levels of tannins. It has moderate acidity and a tremendous fruity
character. With a silky finish, its flavours and aromas can vary between
black fruits, chocolate and some spices, to notes of graphite, plums,
cherries, herbs and violets. It is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine,
although it also varies depending on the climate it comes from.
⮚ Tempranillo: this red grape variety is also called tempranilla. The quality
of wines produced with this grape are up of the standars european
relatives those from Ribera del Duero, Rioja or Penedés in Spain. The
most important charcteristics of an Argentine tempranillo can be found
even in less expensive wines like Finca El Portillo Tempranillo or the
Santa Julia Tempranillo.
Caracterisica
Tempranillo is an early- maturing grape variety (hence its name), which
grows in large, compact bunches with pronounced shoulders. This
variety has a bluish- black in colour, with thick skin and colourless pulp.
It is, sensitive to pests and diseases, and has little resistance to drought
and excessively high temperatures. Considered a variety with low acidity
and low sugar content,
⮚ Pinot Noir is the grape variety used for the big wines of the Burgundy
region, in France. It is also used for the production of champagne, giving
it body and structure. In Argentina it is not widely grown because of its
difficulty to adapt itself to a terrain and climate it is not accustomed to.
Nevertheless, if planted higher in the hills ot in the south of Argentina, a
region of lower temperature, Pinot Noir can result in tremendously fine
wines. Check for Humberto Canale winery in south Rio Negro and its
Marcus Pinot Noir Gran Reserva. Also, from the south (Neuquén), the
new Saurus Pinot Noir
Caractéristicas
It is a difficult variety to grow and vinify. Its thin skin and low levels of
phenolic compounds make it produce light- colored, medium- bodied
wines with few tannins. When young, Pinot Noir wines tend to have
aromas of red fruits, such as cherries, raspberries and strawberries. It is
considered to produce some of the most elegant wines in the world.
● Bonarda: Most of the Bonarda raised in Argentina is an Italian grape
called Bonarda Piamontese. However, there are some specialist that
state that the Argentine Bonarda variety is not related to the Italian
Bonarda variety, but to a grape variety called Corbeau. Right or
wrong, since Bonarda is one of the most widely planted varieties in
Argentina, it would be very difficult for winemakers to change its
actual name. The availability is historically related to its high yield.
This variety has a great aptitude for improving blended wines,
especially with Malbec to produce the wines called "Borgoña" in the
domestic market.
Caractéristicas
It produces wines with intense colours: marked violets or purples that
evolve into ruby red. Its aroma is intense and attractive fruity notes of red
fruits (raspberries, strawberries, cassis or cherries) and black fruits
(blackberries, plums or blueberries) usually appear. On the palate it is
pleasant and sweet, with good intensity.
