Salentein launch shows impact of Argentine altitude

Argentine producer Salentein has created a new single vineyard range as a result of experiments into the impact of altitude on varietal expression.

With 700 hectares of vineyard in the Uco Valley, which range from 1,000m to 1,600m altitude, Salentein winemaker José Galante decided to analyse the characteristics of Malbec, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from the estate’s 1,400m high San Paulo and 1,350m high La Pampa vineyards.

“The idea was to try to identify their aromatic profiles,” explained Galante, who highlighted: “The high altitude wines had more sweet, fruity, floral flavours.”

He attributed a major aspect of this character to the increased levels of norisophrenoids – compounds which are thought to play an important role in wine aromas – found in grapes grown at higher altitudes.

Galante also noted “I never saw such a difference” in levels of malic and tartaric acid, which measured 5 grams and 10 grams/litre respectively before full malolactic fermentation reduced this to 6.5g.

In part he attributed this high acidity to the greater humidity levels at higher altitudes. Noting that the Uco Valley’s lower regions receive around 200-300ml of rainfall each year, these higher vineyards see as much as 500ml. “There’s a lot of humidity,” observed Galante. “It’s very nice to protect grapes from the sun and preserve the natural acidity.”

For Argentine Pinot Noir in particular, Galante suggested that higher and therefore cooler altitudes could be beneficial. “In Argentina you lose a lot of typicity when you have warm temperatures for the Pinot,” he claimed, pointing to problems with “astringent tannins and overripe fruit” for Argentina examples grown at lower altitudes.

As a result of the experiments, Galante revealed a plan to increase the amount of Malbec planted in La Pampa vineyard from 8ha to 400ha over the next few years.

Although yet to launch in the UK, Galante presented the inaugural 2010 vintages of his Salentein Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Malbec and Pinot Noir at the Wines of Argentina annual trade tasting in London this week. If it finds a stockist, the range is expected to retail for between £25 and £27.