Opus One’s Silacci headlines Argentina Wine Awards

Michael Silacci, winemaker at California’s revered Opus One, is headlining the judging at the sixth Annual Argentina Wine Awards (AWA), which began yesterday.

Taking place in Mendoza until 24 February, joining Silacci on the international judging panel is Sassicaia winemaker Graziana Grassini.

Organised by Wines of Argentina, the event unites local winemakers with the some of the world’s top oenologists.

A record number of wines – 733 wines from 146 wineries, will be blind tasted at the awards this year.

Founded by Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Silacci has been chief winemaker at Opus One since 2001, having come from Stags Leap Wine Cellars.

Grassini meanwhile, is one of the three female judges taking part of the event, alongside Barbara Tamburini, a prominent Italian wine consultant, and Marlene Soria, owner and winemaker of Château Peyre Rose in the Languedoc-Roussillon.

Also taking part in the judging are Anthony Hamilton Russell, owner and winemaker of renowned Walker Bay winery Hamilton Russell in South Africa, and Alastair Maling MW, winemaker at Villa Maria in New Zealand.

“Inviting international winemakers to judge shows just how open Argentina is to sharing what’s happening in the country with the wider wine industry,” said Andrew Maidment of Wines of Argentina.

AWA has been held every year since 2007, with the aim of promoting Argentine wine exports to key markets such as the USA, Canada, Brazil and the UK.

Designed to benchmark and reward the quality and advancement of the Argentine wine industry, the Argentina Wine Awards has become the most important event in the local wine calendar.