Gaucho announces Argentine wine winners

Sebastian Zuccardi was named “Winemaker’s Winemaker” at the Gaucho Argentine Winemaker Awards last night.

(l-r) Phil Crozier, José Alberto Zuccardi and Anthony Rose

The event was well attended by the country’s winemakers who are over for the Beautiful South tasting happening this week.

The awards celebrate the best of the Argentine wine industry and each award involves the winemakers themselves voting for the winners.

Zuccardi’s father, José, collected the award on his behalf and told the drinks business: “He’s a very passionate guy and it makes me very happy.

“It’s good we have a new generation. For the first time in Argentina we have a new generation coming.”

Manos Negras’ 2009 Malbec was named Wine of the Year and Matias Michelini was named Young and New Winemaker of the Year.

Winery of the year was Bodegas Fabre, Nicolas Audebert of Cheval des Andes was named Non-Argentine Winemaker of the Year, while the Brand Innovation Award went to Matias Riccitelli’s Republica Malbec.

Gaucho’s director of wines, Phil Crozier, commented: “These awards give Gaucho the opportunity to highlight and celebrate some of the most innovative and talented wine-makers in the wine world today.”

“At Gaucho we’re champions of the unique terroirs in Argentina that produce some of the most famous wines in the world, which is reflected in our stand-out new wine list this autumn that includes a new section highlighting the new generation of winemakers in Argentina.”