Bodega Argento, one of Argentina’s largest organic producers, has extended its range with the launch of a ‘pioneering’ organic single vineyard Malbec, targeting the UK on-trade and independent retail market.
The Argento Single Vineyard Finca Altamira Organic Malbec 2018, which will be distributed in the UK by Bibendum, will be available from next month, is the producers first single vineyard organic Malbec, although further single vineyard organic releases are planned for later this year.
The grapes for the new wine are sourced from Bodega Argento’s Finca Altamira vineyard, a 22.5 hectare organic and Faitrade-certified plot lying 100m above sea level in the Uco Valley.
Chief winemaker Juan Pablo Murgia said the launch was a ‘first’ for the company, and illustrated its belief in the potential of organic winemaking in Argentina.
The vineyard was a “pioneer” for Argentina when it was conceived in 2012, the company claims, due to its use of cutting-edge technologies and extensive soil studies and microsite to identify the right clones, rootstocks and irrigation techniques to enable organic practices from the start.
“Altamira was born organic. The combination of a top-quality vineyard site with sustainable winemaking practices that respect the uniqueness of the terroir results in a wine of incredible fruit purity, intensity and freshness,” Murgia said.
Gustavo Crespo, UK MD for Bodega Argento said he was very excited to unveil the new wine.
“It complements Bodega Argento’s growing portfolio of on- and off-trade brands – Argento, Esquinas, Arte de Argento and Artesano de Argento,” he said. “We look forward to introducing more single vineyard and premium organic wines to UK consumers in the future.’
One of the largest producers of organic wine in Mendoza, Bodega Argento already has 305 hectares certified as organic, and it working towards moving its entire estate to organic certification. Since establishing the Finca Altamira vineyard, it has applied similar detailed analysis at other vineyards as part of the conversion process.
