Co-op launches Trivento’s innovative white Malbec

UK retailer the Co-op has launched a white Malbec from leading Argentine wine brand Trivento that was born out of a ‘hackathon’ style social project.

The idea for the white Malbec came during the ‘hackathon’ project in 2018, which aimed to find an attractive and fruity blanc du noir wine (a white wine made from a red variety) whose profits could be used to benefit a scholarship programme the company supports in Mendoza with the FonBec Foundation. 

Around 420 winery collaborators came together to generate ideas under the leadership of the winemaking team and project leader Maximiliano Ortiz.

The grapes come from Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley in Argentina, and are harvested early to maintain higher natural acidity. The hand-picked bunches are softly crushed, destemmed and immediately pressed to prevent colour extraction, resulting in a fresh and bright wine with green apple and peach aromas.

Co-op wine buyer Sarah Benson said Malbec was the fastest growing variety in the UK market with sales up 28% year-on-year – higher than that of Sauvignon Blanc.

“It has a great following but winemakers have been keen to see if the popularity can be captured in a white style, so we are excited to be able to launch this with Trivento and see what our customers think,” she said.

The Trivento Reserve White Malbec is available in Co-op stores nationwide (RRP: £8.25)

There are currently a number of smaller producers who produce a white Malbec, including Bodegas Salentien, from Osado in Mendoza and Vicentin Blanc but Trivento is the largest brand to do so.