Here's to those Argentine sparklers that I have met, and to those I have yet to discover

I invite you on an Argentine Sparkling Wine (Vino Espumante) Journey. Mendoza’s wine region, Argentina's largest wine-producing region, accounts for over two thirds of the country’s wine production. When most people think of Argentine wines they are most likely to first think of Malbec. While Mendoza produces great Malbec it also produces other great wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Torrontés, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Bonarda, and YES, excellent sparkling wines too. Argentina has been producing sparkling wines since the founding of Bodegas Chandon in 1959.  If you have not already, give Argentine's Sparkling Wines a try. Whenever I think of Argentine sparkling wines, it takes me back to Mendoza. I invite you to join me on a sparkling wine through Mendoza Province.

Domaine Bousquet, Sparkling Wine © Spaswinefood

Those Argentine sparkling wine memories immediately transports me back to Mendoza, which is located in the eastern foothills of the Andes, the Midwest of the country. Mendoza Province, home to over 1,500 wineries, has vineyards that are amongst the highest altitude vineyards in the world, averaging between (2,000-3,600 feet) above sea level. The three wine regions nearest the city of Mendoza are Valle de Uco (75 minutes) Luján de Cuyo (40 minutes), and Maipu (15-20 minutes)). The Atuel, Diamante and Tunuyán rivers that have their origin in the Andes provide the essential water for Mendoza’s vineyards. This unique geography contributes to making Mendoza one of the top wine areas in the world.

For sure Bodegas Chandon sparkling wines is the perfect place to begin. Their world-class sparkling wines make them unique. I have not only enjoyed Bodegas Chandon sparkling wines but also, Mendoza wineries like Bodega Lagarde, Bodega Norton, Catena Zapata, Domaine Bousquet, Bodega Monteviejo, and many more include sparking wines in their portfolio. 

Bodegas Chandon, Luján de Cuyo

It sparkles at Luján de Cuyo's Bodegas Chandon.  Möet & Chandon founded in 1743 in Epernay, France is one of the most famous and largest Champagne producers. When this Champagne house expanded outside France they began producing sparkling wines under the name of Chandon. Their first expansion was in Mendoza's Luján de Cuyo, Argentina in 1959, followed by Napa in 1973, then Brazil, and Australia. They have since followed suit in recent years in China and India. Hence Bodegas Chandon in Luján de Cuyo is the perfect escape for sparkling wine lovers. Moreover Luján de Cuyo, the first appellation recognized in Argentina in 1993, is indeed a delight to explore. 

Bodegas Chandon, Luján de Cuyo © Spaswinefood

Bodegas Chandon, about an hour south of Mendoza city, is in the middle of the Alto Agrelo vineyard district of Luján de Cuyo. One of the first things you notice when you arrive at the bodega is the French-style gardens. Moët & Chandon, after a visit to Argentina in the 1950s, realized the region’s great potential for sparkling wines. As noted earlier, Argentina was chosen for their first establishment of vineyards and a winery outside France. It was one of Argentina’s first foreign investors in the wine industry. This investment attracted other investors. The result is they are credited with creating a boom in foreign interest in Argentine wine.

Chandon Sparkling Wines
Bodegas Chandon's world-class sparkling wines make them unique in the region. The bodega uses different methods for sparkling wine production, which includes both handmade sparkling wines (champenoise) and wines made in larger tanks (charmat). Upon arrival they offered us two wines to taste. We selected a rosé and an aperitif.

Bodegas Chandon, Brut Nature Rose NV © Spaswinefood

On that hot summer's day this sparkling rosé wine was a winner.

Chandon, Brut Nature Rose NV

Bodegas Chandon, Brut Nature Rose © Spaswinefood

We decided to try a new line that they were introducing a sparkling aperitif.

Bodegas Chandon, Apéritif  © Spaswinefood

I loved this sparkling aperitif. This Chandon Apertif was also a winner in that it offered something unique from Chandon. 

Bodegas Chandon Sparkling Wines © Spaswinefood

The bodega offers different lines of bubbles, including Blanc de Blanc (white wine from white grapes) and Blanc de Noir (white wine from red grapes) wines. Later back home after our travels we would enjoy Chandon Apéritif in our garden. This was a great way to remember our wine country travels in Luján de Cuyo.

 Bodegas Chandon Apéritif © Spaswinefood

While Luján de Cuyo's Bodegas Chandon specializes in sparkling wines there are many Mendoza wineries that have sparkling wines as part of their portfolio. I have managed to to enjoy them at other Luján de Cuyo wineries Bodega Lagarde, Bodega Norton, and Catena Zapata. 

Bodega Lagarde, Luján de Cuyo

Luján de Cuyo's Lagarde Restaurant Fogón is a place where vine-filled memories are created. It is hard to imagine a better setting for a vineyard lunch than Restaurant Fogón. Now, let us take a look at our lunch. 

 Bodega Lagarde's Restaurant Fogón, 2020 © Spaswinefood

Our lunch was a fantastic wine and food affair.

Lunch, Restaurant Fogón © Spaswinefood

Of course before the finale there was a palate cleaner.

Let' Refresh, Restaurant Fogón © Spaswinefood

The last wine was a Sparkling Wine, Extra Brut Método Tradicional NV.

Bodega Lagarde, Extra Brut Método Tradicional NV

Bodega Lagarde, Extra Brut Método Tradicional NV © Spaswinefood

Indeed desert, with this amazing sparkling wine, was an awesome way to end lunch.

Desert Time, Restaurant Fogón © Spaswinefood

Just sitting there was a perfect Mendoza vine-filled lunchtime escape.

Bodega Lagarde in the Glass, 2020 © Spaswinefood

As I sat there, enjoying those sparkling wine memories of our early 2017 visit, were still fresh.

Memories, Bodega Lagarde 2017 © Spaswinefood

A Bodega Lagarde Lunch, 2017 © Spaswinefood

Perhaps it is time to take a peek at the Lagarde wines we enjoyed on our 2017 visit.

  Bodega Lagarde's Restaurant Fogón, 2017 © Spaswinefood

The last wines serve, both during our 2017 and 2020 lunch time visits, were sparkling wines. In 2017 while touring Luján de Cuyo wineries it was highly recommended that we visit Lagarde. Later while checking out potential winery visits we happened to find ourselves at the entrance to Lagarde around lunch time. We soon discovered that we could not have asked for a better place. So naturally returning to Mendoza in 2020, we made a reservation for lunch. While in Mendoza we had a number of winery lunches. In fact I would highly recommend it.

Lagarde lists its main goal as honoring the past, and imaging the future. Honoring of the past is indeed important given that Lagarde is one of oldest wineries in Mendoza. In fact some of their Malbec vines are over 100 years old. Its first vines were planted in 1897 when the winery was established. The family winery has been owned by just two families. In 1969 the Pescarmona family, with three generations of wine making history, acquired the property. Today Lagarde is managed by two sisters, Sofia and Lucila. The Pescarmona family's vision for managing the winery is sustainability for people, community and the environment. 

Bodega Norton, Luján de Cuyo

Bodega Norton, is amongst those Luján de Cuyo wineries with a wine portfolio that includes sparkling wines. Perhaps Bodega Norton is one of the most popular Argentine wine brands in the Americas. It certainly is a brand that I have encountered frequently in North, Central, and South America.  Since we were quite familiar with their wines our visit to Bodega Norton was the perfect opportunity to taste some of their premium wines.

Ready to Taste Bodega Norton Wines © Spaswinefood

Bodega Norton was the first winery opened south of the Mendoza River. It was founded in 1895 by Sir Edmund James Palmer Norton, an English engineer. The first vines planted by Norton were imported from France. Although the winery today still bears Norton's name it was purchased in 1989 by Gernot Langes-Swarovski, an Austrian businessman. Over a century ago Gernot's great-grandfather Daniel founded Swarovski, a company known worldwide for its cut crystal. Today Bodega Norton is managed by Gernot Langes-Swarovski's son, Michael.

Norton's wines are internationally known for their overall good quality and price. Amongst the grape varieties grown, the red varieties include Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah and Pinot Noir; its white grape varieties include Torrontés, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Reisling.

Bodega Norton's Slogan © Spaswinefood

The slogan (we recognize ourselves as part of nature) on the tasting mat recognizes the importance of sustainability and social responsibility. This is certainly an overall view that we should bring to wine making. Yes, I did take the time to enjoy those very special Malbec wines.

Gernot Langes 2010, Malbec Lotes A-112, L-112 and LC-112 2012 © Spaswinefood

After tasting these four amazing red wines next we tasted a Privada, a Bordeaux style red wine blend.

Bodega Norton, Privada Malbec 2010

Bodega Norton, Privada Malbec 2010 © Spaswinefood

Absolutely a great red wine blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

We finished this off the charts red wine tasting by concluding with a sparkling wine. It was the perfect way to finish such a wine tasting. 

Bodega Norton, Cosecha Especial Brut Nature NV

Bodega Norton, Cosecha Especial Brut Nature NV © Spaswinefood

 Cosecha Especial Brut Nature NV © Spaswinefood

The sparkling wine bottle is embossed with the Norton symbol.

Bodega Norton's Embossed Symbol © Spaswinefood

When we left Bodega Norton that day I can honestly say I did not need any critic to tell me that these are great wines.

Catena Zapata

Catena Zapata is a family-owned winery, which not only introduced Argentine Malbec to the wine world but also set a high benchmark for this flagship grape. This family owned winery that had its beginning when Italian immigrant Nicolás Catena planted his first Malbec vineyard in Mendoza in 1902. Later his grandson, Nicolás Catena Zapata (AKA Nicolás Catena) is credited with revolutionized Argentine wine, by introducing high altitude Malbec to the world. Nicolás Catena’s daughter, Laura Catena, and other members of the Zapata family, are now involved in the winery. 

Catena Zapata © Spaswinefood

A Second Look, Catena Zapata © Spaswinefood

As you approach the winery one of the first things you notice is its pyramid-like design based on Mayan architecture. Fortunately during our 2020 visit to Luyan de Cuyo area we visited Catena Zapata. In fact prior to arriving in Mendoza we arranged a visit. During 2017 visit we tried to arrange a visit to Catena Zapata however, we did not have any success on short notice. I would strongly recommend making an appointment for this winery to avoid disappointment.

A Malbec Story, Catena Zapata © Spaswinefood

Some might ask, "Was it worth persisting to visit Catena Zapata?" My answer is simple. " It really was."

Bodega Catena Zapata Renaissance of Malbec © Spaswinefood

What a lineup of wines it was. During the wine tasting we certainly had a Renaissance of Malbec Experience. I would highly recommend doing a Malbec tasting at Catena Zapata. Moreover, besides Malbec Catena Zapata does produce other wines. For example, while waiting for our appointment I spotted their sparkling wine.

Time to Sparkle Catena Zapata Style © Spaswinefood

Catena Zapata, Saint Felicien Nature NV © Spaswinefood

Let's not forget that while Catena Zapata produces great Malbec it also produces other great wines too. Before leaving Catena Zapata that day we went to the roof to take in the views. It was awesome taking in those vineyard to sky views. No doubt it Catena Zapata not only aims high but also achieves it. 

Views to the Andes, Catena Zapata © Spaswinefood

I so loved looking across the vineyard towards the Andes.

Taking in the Views, Catena Zapata © Spaswinefood

Roof Top Views, Catena Zapata © Spaswinefood

More Roof Top Views, Catena Zapata © Spaswinefood

Whenever we return to Mendoza Province there are always some tough wine decisions to be made. We have mainly focused on Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. Some of our Valle de Uco's stops have included Domaine Bousquet, Bodega Monteviejo, and Bodega Zuccardi. Again, they have sparkling wines as part of their wine portfolios.

Domaine Bousquet, Valle de Uco

If you are fan of elegant wines then Domaine Bousquet, with its award winning organic wines, is a must. Uco Valley (Valle de Uco) is home to Domaine Bousquet. This wine region has been attracting international attention. One of the highest wine growing regions, the Uco valley, is known for its Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Semillon and Torrontes. Domaine Bousquet's winery restaurant was one of Spaswinefood’s first stops in Mendoza Province. 

Lunch at Domaine Bousquet with its Award Winning Organic Wines

It was a pleasant drive to Domaine Bousquet in Gualtallary, Tupungato from Mendoza city. After we passed the guard station the expansive estate vineyard came into view. The Bousquet family, with four generations of wine making history in France, acquired this 110 hectare estate in 1997. Their vineyard at 1200 meters (4000 feet) is organically farmed. Domaine Bousquet is one of the world's most awarded organic wine producers. When we arrived at the winery we decided to taste their wines over lunch at their Gaia Restaurant. It was the perfect indoor escape on a hot summer's day in February of 2017.

Gaia Restaurant, Domaine Bousquet © Spaswinefood

The restaurant offered four and six course lunch options with wines. During lunch we were introduced to Domaine Bousquet Premium, Reserve, Grand Reserve, Fortified Malbec, and Sparkling wines.

The menu for that day started with an appetizer, followed by first course.

First Course, Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

The first course was paired with a Torrontes Chardonnay.

Domaine Bousquet, Torrontes Chardonnay 2016

Torrontes Chardonnay © Spaswinefood

Second course was paired with a Malbec Cabernet Rosé.

Second Course, Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Second Course (Vegetarian Option), Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

The Malbec Cabernet Rosé wine is a dry rosé.
Domaine Bousquet, Malbec Cabernet Rosé 2016 

Domaine Bousquet, Malbec Cabernet Rosé 2016 © Spaswinefood

Tthe third course was offered in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Third Course (Vegetarian Option), Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

This course was paired with Pinot Noir.

Domaine Bousquet, Pinot Noir 2014 

Domaine Bousquet, Pinot Noir 2014 © Spaswinefood

The fourth course was also offered in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Fourth Course (Vegetarian), Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

I so loved how the chef accommodate this vegetarian.

Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

During the fourth course we were also served two grand reserve wines:
Domaine Bousquet, Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2014
Domaine Bousquet, Grand Reserve Malbec 2013 

Then moving onto a sweet wine paired with cheese for the fifth course.
Domaine Bousquet, Malbec-Dulce 2015

Domaine Bousquet, Malbec-Dulce 2015 © Spaswinefood

Cheese with Fruit and Nuts, Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

But of course there was a finale, or sixth course. Sparkling wine with desert was the most delightful way to end lunch.

Finale, Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Desert, Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

The last wine was a Sparkling wine.

Domaine Bousquet, Sparkling Wine © Spaswinefood

One of the pleasures for this Spaswinefood enthusiast is to meet the chef. Indeed such was the case the day we dined at their Gaia Restaurant. Yes, it was an amazing lunch at the Gaia Restaurant. 

Gaia Restaurant, Tupungato © Spaswinefood

Gaia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

We very much enjoyed getting to know Domaine Bousquet's naturally elegant wines over lunch. Their wines are available from US Distributors. This means that you can easily do lunch with Domaine Bousquet wines.

Domaine Bousquet "Naturally Elegant Wines" © Spaswinefood

Scenic Uco Valley

After lunch at Domaine Bousquet we took the scenic route 89 back towards Mendoza. It took us along the eastern Andean Mountain foothills. The Uco Valley is known for its spectacular scenery. Fortunately we got to experience some of its beauty. Even though it rained and the clouds move in it was a pleasant drive from Tupungato to Luyán de Cuyo on route 89. We passed by vineyards, through ranch lands and mountains as we travelled along this route. 

Ranch Lands, Tupungato, Mendoza Province © Spaswinefood

Mountains, Luyán de Cuyo, Mendoza Province © Spaswinefood

This rural gravel road (Ruta 89) is quite a beautiful drive in the summer. Moreover, seeing the mountains through the mist was special for sure. These are the moments that you remember. When we reached Luyán de Cuyo we then took the main highway back to the city.

 Valle de Uco's Bodega Monteviejo, Bodega Zuccardi and more

Bodega Monteviejo was our first visit to the Clos de los Siete Estate in the Uco Valley (Valle de Uco). I had heard so much about Clos de los Siete; so naturally I was over the moon to be able to visit this wine estate. Given Bodega Monteviejo, founded in 2001, was the first Clos de los Siete Estate winery, it was the perfect place to begin our wine explorations. We had come to a place where Winemaker Marcelo Pelleriti crafts some of the best Malbec in Argentina. Like many Uco Valley wineries Bodega Monteviejo has sparkling wine as part of its portfolio.

Bodega Monteviejo, Clos de los Siete, Valle de Uco © Spaswinefood

Nearby there is Uco Valley's Bodega Zuccardi, one of the top wineries the world. Indeed it does have sparkling wine as part of its wine portfolio.

Bodega Zuccardi, Valle de Uco © Spaswinefood

There was not enough time to explore all the wineries . We stayed at the Sheraton Mendoza, a great downtown location, with so many restaurants and sidewalk cafes all within walking distance. The fact that we stayed in the city also cut into wine country touring time.  While Downtown Mendoza has good hotel options however, for those looking to getaway from it all then a vineyard stay is a must. Vines of Mendoza  is one of those options.

1000 Acres Under Vine, Vines of Mendoza © Spaswinefood 

While we did not stay there this wine enthusiast knows when to take a friend’s recommendation seriously. So when an Argentine wine journalist friend recommended visiting The Vines of Mendoza we did. We made a reservation for lunch at their Siete Feugo (Seven Fires) Restaurant. We also did a winery tour and a wine tasting at the winery. The Vines of Mendoza has a micro fermentation winery that produces over 200 different wines. Located in the stunning Uco Valley (Valle de Uco) with 1,000 acres under vine it is a must. 

I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Mendoza, Argentina and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood or on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to future vine-filled explorations in Argentina. 

CHEERS!

Sharon 

Here's to Argentina's Sparkling Wines

December 2023

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Enjoying a Bodegas Chandon Apéritif © Spaswinefood

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