The growing quest for wines to reflect their place of origin and the unique characteristics of the vineyards is resulting in more distinctive wines. “The market is more complex, it is more knowledgeable, it has more history. High-end Argentine wines have positioned themselves very well around the world and this obviously spills over into the domestic market, where we see that these types of labels today have a visibility that until recently, two or three years ago, did not happen. “, he states Alfredo Saenz, Owner and Director of UMAMIconsultancy specialized in the wine business. “Malbec has proven to be an excellent strain for storage, which evolves perfectly over time and the iconic wines of most wineries have it as their main component. Argentina has a very diverse offer in all its areas, in all its profiles and all its strains, demonstrating that it can produce high-end wines and the growth of proposals in Magnum format reinforces this idea of the category,” adds Saenz.
The small projects led by curious winemakers gave an injection of freshness and diversity to the industry. Many winemakers are experimenting with winemaking techniques, such as fermentation in amphorae, carbonic maceration or the use of barrels made of different types of wood. This has resulted in wines with unique and complex flavor profiles.
Wineries are attentive to the development of innovative products. On this path, production from grapes diversifies the range of proposals, where we see pet nat, sparkling wines of non-traditional varieties for bubbles, vermouth labels or distillates.
The new consumer
Although the trend to moderate consumption has gained ground in the world of wine, the idea is “drink less, but drink better”. Many consumers opt for more aspirational brands and categories due to a more moderate lifestyle choice, which means they drink less frequently, but opt for higher quality experiences when they do.
The wine consumer is more knowledgeable, he has gone from being a casual fan to being more informed, showing a growing interest in learning about different varieties, regions and winemaking techniques, which allows him to make more conscious decisions when purchasing. Today, there is greater openness to exploring different varieties and styles, including white wines, sparkling wines, and more innovative proposals.
Another factor is that experience is currently valued as much as products. The growth of sophisticated consumption has led to an increase in demand for wine tastings, the development and proposals of wine tourism and wine-related events, where they can learn and enjoy wine culture.
“The increase in high-end labels is a global trend that is accompanied by a drop in volume, but consumers increasingly consume more expensive or more exclusive wines, with higher scores, terroir references and a story to tell behind each one.” label,” explains Saenz, who recently organized an event for the industry focused on the high-end wine category. “There are more and more private cellars. People are starting to collect wine and this makes them look for vintages, presentations and non-massive projects.”
A high-end success
The innovation and dynamism of the industry were reflected in the recent High-end Edition of the UMAMI Fair, where nearly 150 labels from the 12 Argentine wineries represented by UMAMI could be tasted. Classic and non-traditional varietals from different producing regions of the country in which winemakers seek the expression of the terroir of origin; the exploration of production methods, the commitment to formats such as Magnum bottles; sparkling wines and ciders; vermouth and distillates, among others. The growth of quality white wine proposals was highlighted as a trend that is accompanied by consumer interest.
“There is significant growth in Magnum formats that until now Argentina did not attract and this year it increased very strongly. It is still a very recent phenomenon, but I think it is here to stay because it is leveraged by this demand of people who begin to collect, save and drink vintages that are not current on the market, and thus value the evolution that a label has over time. ”, describes the head of UMAMI.
During the event, it was possible to enjoy an ideal atmosphere between clients and producers, a space for exchanging knowledge about wine, trends and news that allowed, once again, to demonstrate the quality of Argentine wine. It was attended by the winemakers of the wineries that make up the UMAMI portfolio: Alpamanta, Celler del Pi, Chacra, Comahue, Correntoso, Doña Paula, Homo Felix, Huarpe Riglos, iMatorras, Michelini i Mufatto, Renacer, Susana Balbo, Urqo and Viña Las Perdices.
High-end News
- URQO Mirador Chardonnay 2022 of winery URQO
It is the new wine of the icon line made with grapes from the Los Chacayes vineyard. Part of the wine was aged through wood. “The idea is that it represents the place and the variety well, that it is attractive to pair with, with good acidity, good complexity… a wine to enjoy,” describes its winemaker Leonardo Pisano.
- Homo Felix Gran Chardonnay 2023 of store Homo Felix
The novelty of the winery led by Patricio Eppinger, a Chardonnay from Los Chacayes, Valle de Uco. Aged in concrete eggs and untoasted French oak barrels. Its aromatic profile is fresh and mineral, with notes of white fruits, accompanied by a subtle citrus touch and white flowers. In the mouth, it is fluid, with a perfectly integrated acidity that gives it freshness and vitality. The minerality from Los Chacayes provides a firm structure, ideal for long aging, although its balance invites you to enjoy it now. A modern and refined Chardonnay, which captures the essence of the terroir.
- Perdix of winery Las Perdices Vineyard
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An exclusive London Dry Gin presented in its elegant new 750 ml glass bottle. Made based on mixed distillation. The pure copper still enables the full extraction of the recipe of macerated botanicals from Viña Las Perdices – juniper, coriander, angelica root, sweet orange peel, yellow lemon peel, citra hops, cardamom, black pepper and cassia. With a marked aromatic profile, with juniper prominence, citrus and spicy notes.
- Celler del Pi Pinot Noir 2022 of winery Celler del Pi
The family project headed by Daniel Pi and his daughter Daniela presented two wines from the icon line of the winery that bears the same name, Celler del Pi. It is a Pinot Noir (2022) from Altamira and a Semillon (2023) from Los Arboles, both with spontaneous fermentation in concrete eggs and, in the case of Pinot Noir, a passage through French oak barrels is added.
- Rosé Manifestos 2024 of winery iMatorras
This is an old-vine Malbec Rosé from Finca la Meli, San José, Tupungato, made by winemaker Gerardo Michelini. This wine is 100% Malbec, from a natural press, in which the freshness of Valle de Uco stands out, with the structure of Malbec and enough versatility both to consume alone and to accompany foods such as red meat. It is a wine that was born as a rosé, from the vineyard to the winery and aging processes.
- Astral of winery Alpamanta
A certified organic – biodynamic vermouth, the first in Argentina. Made from a base wine of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, headed with Brandy distilled by the winery from organic – biodynamic wine and macerated with more than 12 botanicals from the Alpamanta estate.
- Be reborn Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2024 of winery Be reborn
Represented by its brand new winemaker Felipe Stahlschmidt, it unveiled its new Cabernet Sauvignon rosé made with La Consulta grapes from a 13-year-old vineyard. Persian pink in color, clean and bright. Its aromas stand out for its floral and fresh notes, with notes of spices and white pepper. In the mouth, it is fruity and tasty, with a great balance of acidity and a subtle mineral nuance. There are notes of raspberry, currants.
- Mrs. Paula Sauvage Blanccellar Mrs. Paula
The innovative spirit and deep knowledge that Doña Paula has of the Sauvignon Blanc variety motivated the creation of Doña Paula Sauvage Blanc, the first sparkling wine made from said variety in the country. Now it is presented with a more modern and elegant design that conveys the seriousness and Premium character of these bubbles.
Source: Ambito
