The impact of the Andes mountain range on viticulture in Argentina cannot be understated. Temperature differences of up to 20 degrees can occur between night and day in some of the higher vineyards, resulting in intensely aromatic, fruit-forward Malbecs. The overall cooler temperatures of these high-altitude vineyards mean grapes spend longer ripening, which in turn leads to the silky tannins that make Malbec so popular, and extremely drinkable, the world over.
In episode 57 of The Drinking Hour, Madeleine Stenwreth MW, Sweden’s only female Master of Wine, joins host David Kermode to explore winemaking at altitude (Stenwreth’s MW research paper topic) and what makes wines from Argentina so popular internationally.
The pair discuss the impact of the mountains on the wines coming out of Argentina, and what’s next for Malbec production in the country.
Discover more episodes of The Drinking Hour with David Kermode here
