Patagonia
Country: Argentina
Main grape varieties:
- White – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier
- Red – Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc
Patagonia’s stature has grown rapidly in the last decade, gaining a reputation for elegant fine wines. This is the most southern wine producing region in the world and its climate allows grapes to ripen slowly and gives the wines elegance and fantastic intensity. Winds blowing in from the Andes mean that summer nights are cool and acidity is preserved and disease is kept at bay. The influence of the Andes and Antarctica mean that vineyards are at much lower altitude of 300-500 metres – compared to Mendoza, which averages 600-1,000 metres.
Key sub regions are Rio Negro and Neuquen and many producers have connections with Europeans. Fabre Montmayou was founded by Frenchman Herve Joyaux Fabre who moved over from Bordeaux in the 1990s and set up vineyards in both Mendoza and Patagonia.
Why not try…
- Verum – Pinot Noir 2014
Grown in the Rio Negro region, Verum translates as ‘true’ and this pinot noir is certainly true to the terroir of Patagonia. This red has lovely red fruit flavours and a real earthiness to it. Try it alongside our Sainte Maure de Touraine goats cheese.
