This year's Decanter World Wine Awards Regional Trophy for Argentinian Torrontes under £15 went to Zuccardi, Serie A Torrontés, Salta 2013 (14%)
Tasted against:
- Alma Andin, Torrontés, Salta 2013
- Amalaya, Blanco de Corte Torrontés-Riesling, Salta 2013
Profile:
This is one of a glorious brace of Trophies for Zuccardi and its Serie A line. The A stands for Argentina Series and, in Zuccardi’s words, ‘is a way of expressing our most representative grape varieties by recognising the best growing regions specific to each, and selecting top vineyard sites along the foothillsof the Andes Mountains’.
Zuccardi was established in the 1960s with the planting of its first vineyard in Maipú by Alberto Zuccardi. Since then it has expanded into one of Argentina’s most famous labels but is still family run, with José Alberto Zuccardi as executive director, supported by his sons Sebastián, who looks after the estate’s vineyards, and Miguel, who produces olive oil, also under the Zuccardi flag.
Salta is considered the home of Torrontés, with vineyards that stretch to 3,100m above sea level. This Trophy winner hails from vineyards at 1,850m and Zuccardi believes this is integral to the wines’ character traits: ‘The altitude and diurnal temperature difference of around 25°C benefit the grape ripening process, concentrating the flavours and aromas and helping us achieve very expressive wines of outstanding quality and uniqueness.’
Written by Decanter
