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It’s okay, Malbec’s the moneymaker for a reason. We can even pretend you thought of Torrontés first, that’s plausible! However, we’d really like to bring your attention to some stellar white wines from Argentina, where innovation and international collaboration are yielding premium results that might just have you rethinking some rankings:
The 2023 Bodega Chacra Chardonnay is a remarkable collaboration between Piero Incisa della Rocchetta and Burgundy's Jean-Marc Roulot, showcasing the potential of Patagonia's Río Negro Valley. Sourced from 40-year-old vines rooted in alluvial soils rich in limestone, the wine undergoes fermentation with native yeasts and is aged in a combination of concrete eggs, stainless steel, and French oak barrels, resulting in a textured, mineral-driven profile. Expect vibrant notes of citrus, apple, and a distinctive salinity, culminating in a wine that elegantly bridges New World freshness with Old World complexity.
The 2022 El Enemigo Chardonnay is anything but ordinary—fermented under flor and raised in oak at high-altitude Gualtallary, it blurs the line between Burgundy and Andalusia. Alejandro Vigil channels both classicism and rebellion, crafting a wine with salted lemon, crushed stones, and a savory tang that lingers long after the last sip. It's a Chardonnay with attitude, depth, and a quiet nod to the unexpected.
Coming from a single vineyard in Tunuyan (a sub-region of the Uco Valley, in Mendoza), the 2022 Gen del Alma, Chenin Blanc ‘JiJiJi’is entirely hand-harvested and farmed sustainably. Featuring a complex bouquet with grapefruit, quince, and floral notes, the palate brings bright fresh fruit like green apple and citrus zest. With a few months spent aging on the lees, the wine's acidity is rounded out while maintaining its fresh liveliness.
And just for fun, let’s go north of the border to Uruguay – if someone asks you to think about Uruguayan wine, you can depend on Bodega Garzón.
The 2024 Bodega Garzón Albariño Reserva hails from Uruguay’s coastal Garzón region, where the winery is celebrated for pioneering premium winemaking in the country’s Atlantic-influenced hills. Grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in stainless steel to preserve fresh aromatics and crisp acidity. The wine shines with vibrant notes of peach, Meyer lemon, and green apple, accented by hints of saline minerality and white flowers. Its bright, zesty finish makes it a perfect companion to seafood and light summer dishes.
If you’re ever riding with your gauchos across the pampas and you’re just not in the mood for a red wine, try one of these elegant whites and see the true breadth of Argentina!
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