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If Gualtallary isn’t already the most famous sub-region of Argentina, it probably soon will be. Some of Argentina’s most expensive and idolised wines come from the Gualtallary wine region, which is quite remarkable considering that there were barely any vines here 30 years ago.

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Guide to Gualtallary wine region in the Uco Valley

Notable producers in Gualtallary

Quick guide to Gualtallary

Best wines to try from Gualtallary

Map of Gualtallary & Tupungato in the Uco Valley

 

 

Guide to Gualtallary wine region

Previously considered too cold and too steep, the first vines were planted in Gualtallary in 1992 by Chandon, which was looking for cool temperatures to make better sparkling wine. In the early and mid-90s other producers also came to the region in search of making fresher white wines too, including Catena Zapata, Doña Paula and Sophenia.

Several of these early plantings were successful in making fresher wines and proving the potential of this new high-altitude region. One of the key winemakers who championed Gualtallary in these early years was Matías Michelini, who was fundamental in the development of Gualtallary portfolios for Doña Paula, Sophenia and Zorzal. Matías quickly earned the nickname ‘green Michelini’ because he started harvesting up to a month earlier than everyone else in a search for freshness and acidity.

As soon as producers moved away from the overripe grapes that were the norm during this period, you could suddenly appreciate the star-bright acidity and chalky texture of both the white and red wines from Gualtallary. Matías Michelini’s early Sauvignon Blanc vintages at Sophenia became some of Argentina’s most promising white wines, and helped put Gualtallary on the map for its potential for making radically different styles of wines in Argentina. Today Matías is no longer considered green, as most other wineries have also brought forward their harvesting dates; and Gualtallary has become renowned for making some of the best white wines in Argentina.

It is actually Chardonnay which I would argue is the star white wine of Gualtallary today. One of the early pioneers of the region, Catena Zapata, has been fundamental in showing the star quality of this variety here — making wines with verve and tension.