In the northern hemisphere, the sun is out and summer is in full sway, filled with plans for vacations, time outdoors and unforgettable memories. Whether it’s a day in a London park, at a Californian beach, or trekking through the Black Forest in Germany, there’s something that can make the moment even more special: Argentine summer wines.
Argentina is known the world over for its Malbec, but it also produces an incredible variety of white, rosé and sparkling wines that go perfectly with warm, sunny days. Here, we share some recommendations for Argentine summer wines that you won’t want to miss out on.
What should you expect from an Argentine summer wine?
The fact is that some wines taste better in certain seasons. In summer, we seek out wines that are light, fruity and fresh and are perfect for relaxing outside or to go with light dishes such as salads, lean meats, seafood and fresh fruit. Below is a list of recommendations of Argentine summer wines that will meet all your expectations this season.
White Blends: the best Argentine summer wines
Argentina boasts a range of terroirs that are producing some of the best Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs in the world. However, another style that promises to revolutionize your summers is growing increasingly popular: the White Blends. From the Calchaquí Valleys to Patagonia, these wines combine the best of each variety to produce sophisticated, modern and vibrant whites.
For example, to the north of the country one finds the classic Amalaya Blanco Blend which combines Torrontés with Riesling, or there’s El Esteco Blanc de Blancs, which brings together Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Chardonnay and Torrontés, while the new Pequeñas Fermentaciones Chardonnay Semillón from Bodega Porvenir in Cafayate is another excellent option.
In Cuyo, mainly San Juan and Mendoza, one finds dozens of wines in the category including Demencial Blanc de Blancs, an assemblage of Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from the Pedernal Valley or Cara Sur Pérgolas Blanco which is made with old criolla grapes rescued from oblivion and a pergola-grown Torrontés, a really authentic white from the Calingasta Valley.
In Mendoza meanwhile, each region has its own style and this gives rise to extremely original, exotic and intriguing combinations.
Argentine summer wines: blends to look out for
Among the most interesting white blends one would certainly include the Rhône-inspired versions such as Corazón del Sol Luminoso, which is made with Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Grenache Blanc, De Moño Rojo MRV, which contains Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, or Ver Sacrum Geisha de Jade, a blend of Marsanne with Roussanne. All of these come from Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley.
There’s also an enormous number of lovely Bordeaux-inspired blends such as the new Ruca Malén Capítulo Dos Corte de Blancas, Alandes Paradoux Blend Blanco, Le Petit Voyage Blend de Blancas, Blanchard & Lurton Les Fous, and Kaiken Estate Blanco, all of which are combinations of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillón.
One specialty that is beginning to attract admirers is the combination of a cold weather Torrontés with other varieties to produce mountain whites, a trend begun by the Susana Balbo White Blend when it brought together Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillón. Other examples of this fragrant, energetic profile are Alta Vista Atemporal Assemblage Blanc, which is made up of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Torrontés; Domaine Bousquet Organic Chardonnay Torrontés, Ferus Blanc de Blancs from Familia Falasco and the sparky Lui Wines Wine Blend Torrontés and Sauvignon Blanc.
Another option that is proving successful is the blend of Chardonnay, Semillón, Sauvignon Blanc and sometimes Viognier, which is forging its own path in the vineyards of the Uco Valley with wines such as Nieto Senetiner Blend Collection White, Campo del Cielo Blanco from Stella Crinita, Blanco de la Casa Blend by Matías Riccitelli, Luigi Bosca De Sangre White Blend, Proyecto Hermanas White Blend from Bodega Lagarde and Tapiz Selección de Barricas Blend de Blancas.
Obviously, the wineries of Patagonia mustn’t be left out of this list of some of the most rewarding white blends from Argentina. In these remote lands, it’s worth looking out for one or two of the following: the Fin del Mundo Special White Blend which features Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillón from the vineyards of Neuquen, Humberto Canale Intimo Semillón Sauvignon, which expresses the essence of the vineyards of Río Negro, and finally, down in Chubut, from the most southerly vineyards in the world, there’s Otronia 45 Rugientes Corte de Blancas, which is an unusual blend of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, a wonderful way to bring our mini-tour of Argentine summer wines to a close.
If you’re lucky enough to open any of the above wines, then there’s no doubt that your summer is headed in the right direction.
