It is said that vines (for making wine) can grow between latitudes of 30° to 50°, either on the north hemisphere or on the south… but growing vines to make good wines it’s not as simple as that.
If we were to follow this rule to its full extent, it would roughly mean that wines in Salta, Tucuman, Catamarca, La Rioja and San Juan should not exist as wine sections, and also that we would have vineyards in the areas near the Perito Moreno Glaciar… a bit strange right?
Clik here to view.
Perito Moreno Glaciar Walk
This rule may apply for the northern lands, but not here down south, apparently we are meant to bend the rules. Although, there is a logical explanation for growing vines at different latitudes than in the north – we have an oceanic climate, instead of a continental one like the one in Europe – and that means that the Ocean has more influence on us that on them, because we have less land to buffer the changes in temperature.
What makes them so special?
They grow in cool summers that preserve the acidity, which makes the wine more refreshing, vibrant, lively and delicate. Also, the vines have a great rest during winter, which are very cold and snowy months.
That makes the Vine be fully prepared to develop amazingly great fruit!
Although they have cool summers, that don’t mean they don’t reach high temperatures at all, just that during the nights the temperature drops about 20°C – that’s 68° F, for all of the US readers out there! And on top of that, you have the fact that it’s the windiest side of our land.
In Patagonia you’ll find the driest (cause of the Andes Mountain Range) and coldest of the winds and almost none rain, which is good for the vines and not so much for us…
It is due to this that the grapes will develop thicker skins (to protect themselves from that harsh environment), which translates in more aromas and flavours, depth in colour and more tannins, which are core characteristics to making fabulous wines, and also keeps the vineyards healthy without adding any chemicals!
Do try its Merlot, Pinot Noir and white varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay. They are at it’s best over there!
Where to find them?
Clik here to view.
PRIMOGENITO PINOT NOIR
The Patagonia area starts at the limit between Neuquén and Mendoza and La Pampa and Buenos Aires with Rio Negro province, and can be divided into three different regions:
- Vineyards of Neuquén, most of them located either on Añelo or San Patricio de Chañar, were you’ll have the monstrous greatness of Fin del Mundo Winery (the biggest winery of Patagonia), Schroeder Family (known for having a dinosaur skeleton found on the foundations of the winery) and Patritti Winery (very well-known by their Primogénito, “first born” label).
- Vineyards of Río Negro, located in the valleys of the Negro River (Río Negro). There you’ll find the estates of Humberto Canale (one of the oldest vineyards there) and Chacra, the latter being remarkably known for its premium Pinot Noir.
- Vineyards of La Pampa, this last vineyards are just in the limit between La Pampa and Río Negro, in the district of 25 de Mayo.
There are a substantial amount of “Bodegas” (wineries) down south, and there is even an awesome experimental vineyard over there.
Our end-of-the-world experimental (as they are very small and very climate-affected) vineyards are on latitude 42°, in El Hoyo de Epuyén, Chubut. If you were at the same latitude in Europe, you’ll be standing in Rome.
Clik here to view.
Photo Credit: Premshree Pillai via Compfight cc
These vineyards belong to Bernardo Weinert who saw the potential (in 1999) for great wines in the awesome berries that came from that place. Note that this settlement is near El Bolsón, very well known for its strawberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, and other “frutos del bosque”, as we call berries in general here in Argentina.
But growing vines at this latitude is not that easy… they have to beware of the early frosts, bird’s attack and fires, like the one that took away almost all of the Pinot Noir production in 2012.
I encourage you to take a trip to Patagonia, whether in your glass or on your feet. Patagonia is a rich wine country, get to know it!