The passion, romance and effortless grace that makes Argentinean wines so amazing

The passion, romance and effortless grace that makes Argentinian wines so amazing

The Argentine tango is a passionate dance, known as the dance of love, where couples appear to be almost locked in an embrace as they circle, swirl and beckon each other. Like the tango, an Argentine Malbec starts with a swirl, effortless tracing a spectrum of colour from ruby to plum along the walls of your glass as it glides into a rich, full-bodies sip driven by a kick of black and blue fruit.

Argentina is known for its luscious Malbec wines deft footballers and tango dancers, and of course, the incredibly diverse geography that has always been a curiosity for the rest of the world.

This South American country represents a world of extremes - from the arid Patagonian Desert to the snowy Andean mountains - and thriving across the landscape up to nearly a mile of elevation are the Catena family's terroirs.

The Catena family, known as the grandparents of Argentine Malbec, represents generations of vintners, each one responsible for inspiring a new revolution in the company's winemaking traditions. Their contribution to winemaking in Argentina has made their family a dynasty.

 When Nicholas Catena took the lead of the family company in the 1960s, he introduced the new world Napa Valley customs and techniques to what was largely an Italian method of production. Rather than the established method of aging the wines in oak casks over several years, new and improved vineyard management led to production in then-modern stainless-steel vats, and aging in high quality oak. These changes influenced the climate of winemaking in the Catena vineyards, and led more vintners to adapt to the Catena methods. Though Malbec originated in France as a blending grape for Bordeaux wines, Argentina is actually responsible for producing about three-quarters of the world’s Malbec wine.

Perhaps Nicholas Catena’s most pivotal moment came when he decided to plant the vineyards in the higher altitudes of the foothills of the Andes. The result was astonishing. Planting higher up gave the Malbecs hotter days to ripen and be exposed to increased sunlight, and chilly nights to cool and develop antioxidants and acidity. Nicolas Catena says it himself: “The most important characteristic is the altitude of the vineyards. The higher you go, you can expect a better performance of Malbec.” True to his words, the change of temperature and altitude produces Malbecs that are intensely fruity and floral with deep dark colour and a soft, velvety tongue feel. It is as though moving the grapes to a higher altitude sends the Malbecs into a frenzy of expressive passion and the warmth these cool Malbecs produce is unlike anything…except perhaps, for the dizzying spin of a lovers tango.

Like a tango, you’ll feel the embrace of an Argentine Malbec long after you’ve finished a bottle. Like a tango, it starts with an innocent swirl. Thanks to a diverse landscape and rich winemaking history. Catena Malbecs are complex, well balanced, plush, expressive, and dark and dangerously inviting.