Winemakers eye ‘next dimension’ Malbec

The founders of Achaval Ferrer have planted a set of experimental vineyards which they believe will unlock the “next dimension” of Argentine Malbec, producing wines at high altitude but with the soil complexity of Burgundy.

Achaval Ferrer’s global brand ambassador and co-founder, Marcelo Victoria

Called MaterVini (Mother of all wine), the project was launched in 2007 by Roberto Cipresso, consultant winemaker at Achaval Ferrer, and Santiago Acahval, co-founder and winemaker, but is separate from Achaval Ferrer.

Speaking to the drinks business last week about the project Marcelo Victoria, one of the founding members of Achaval Ferrer as well as its global brand ambassador, said seeking out more complex soils at altitude was key to the future of Argentine Malbec, citing the pre-Andes as a prime location.

“What comes next in Argentina? More Malbec, yes, but looking at the third dimension, which is the soil”, said Victoria. “The next step is looking for complexity in the soil which is not in the Andes, but in the pre-Andes. It has soil like in Burgundy, so we can combine that complexity of the soil with the altitude.”

Described by Victoria as a “laboratory”, MaterVini comprises four vineyards planted in Argentina’s Precordillera mountain range, often referred to as the pre-Andes. Located in the foothills of the Andes, the pre-Andes region rises up to 2,000 meters and is home to soils that are up to 400 million years old. This, explained Victoria, gives winemakers a unique opportunity to produce wines at high altitude, but with a soil complexity often associated with Burgundy.

“We had the feeling that something was lacking in the Achaval Ferrer wines – that was soil complexity”, said Victoria.

Four MaterVini vineyards, that were once at the bottom of the ocean, have been planted by Cipresso and Achaval along the pre-Andes in Salta, Catamarca, San Juan and Mendoza, rising upwards from 1,600m. In comparison, Achaval Ferrer currently operates three vineyards, the highest of which is its flagship Altamira which reaches 1,100m.

With such complex soils, afforded by their pre-Andes location, combined with the ultra-violet light of the Andes, Victoria sees a future in which Argentina will be able to speak of micro-terroirs.

“The idea is to demonstrate another dimension of Malbec when you have complex soil at high altitude. It’s is going to be the next dimension for Argentine wine”, he asserted.

The first wine to be released will be a Malbec produced in Mendoza at 1,600m. The 2010 vintage is expected to be released in 2016, with further wines set to release in 2017. In five years time, Victoria expects the MaterVini project to be producing 30,000 bottles each year.

Achaval Ferrer was founded in 1998 by a group of Italian and Argentine friends. In 2011, Achaval Ferrer’s 2009 Altamira Malbec received 99 points from Robert Parker – the highest score ever achieved by a  South American wine at the time.