Carménère hits its stride

Chile’s ‘could-be’ flagship is coming of age, but debate still surrounds its role in the country’s wider portfolio. Andrew Catchpole dips in.

South America Report: Malbec 2.0

Malbec continues to dominate Argentina’s wine exports, but it is undergoing a radical transformation. Amanda Barnes reports.

The march of Malbec

Such is the success of Argentina’s flagship variety, it is now spreading its wings around the globe. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Dr. Laura Catena wins the first Old Vine Hero Award

The co-founders of The Old Vine Conference announced the winner of the first Old Vine Hero Award last week, during a ceremony in London.

BACC to host Mendoza tasting for UK trade

The British Argentine Chamber of Commerce (BACC) will welcome a Wine and Luxury Tourism Trade Delegation from the 14 to the 16 of November. 

Amanda Barnes: Argentina makes its move

With more than 211,000ha under vine and over 800 wine producers, Argentina is constantly awash with change. It isn’t only a numbers game, Argentina is also in a new golden age of winemaking with its wine industry at its most innovative to date.

Looking ahead: Anne Bousquet, Domaine Bousquet

Hatch Mansfield unveils new range of canned wines

The UK market for alternative formats was given a boost yesterday, following the launch of Wild Steps at the LWF.

Raising the flag for Argentina

Looking back on Malbec’s ascent, it has followed quite a remarkable trajectory, delivering for Argentina the kind of hero grape recognition that perhaps only New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc can rival. In most of its markets, though, Malbec has firmly embedded itself a couple of notches above entry-level, typically with only a handful of rarefied listings on a more premium perch. In some ways, it’s a story reminiscent of Rioja’s, with the wines providing ample pleasure, accessibility and quality for just a small number of pounds above the entry-level.

Talking heads; Malbec and beyond

Buyers and critics alike share a snapshot of what currently excites them about South America with Sonya Hook.

Andean offer

Both as wine producers and countries, Argentina and Chile offer very different profiles. The former has its hugely successful hero variety in Malbec, while the latter, having driven its reputation on affordable and accessible international varieties, is gaining ground as a producer of genuine interest and value in the mid-price range. Argentina too, with Malbec having secured a strong foothold at a more premium ‘entry’ price level, has been pushing its diversity, while climbing its flagship variety higher up the price ladder in independents and the on-trade.

Pernod Ricard extends range in response to ongoing Malbec and Sauvignon growth

Pernod Ricard UK is adding to its portfolio of premium wines with the launch of two new expressions, extending its Cafayate and Leaps & Bounds ranges. 

Argentina’s future should embrace ‘ancestral winemaking’

It’s been a few years since globetrotting oenologist Alberto Antonini proclaimed in Mendoza that the future should be ‘a little less Malbec and a little more Argentina’, set against that flagship variety’s exponential rise.

Domaine Bousquet taps into organic growth with launch of new range

Argentina’s leading organic winery, Domaine Bousquet, launches its Cameleón range into the UK market. 

Condor Wines expands South American range with 'mindful' wine

Leading specialist importer Condor Wines has expanded its portfolio with the addition of La Pausa, meaning ‘a moment to remember and reflect on what’s important’ in Spanish.

Saint Emilion chateau moves into Riesling

Château Petit Val, a property based in Saint Emilion, has released two new leftfield cuvées – a pure varietal Riesling and Malbec wine.

Trivento Malbec triumphs as UK's best-selling wine

Trivento's Reserve Malbec has become the best-selling wine SKU in the UK, according to recent Nielsen data.

Redefining Malbec

Argentina’s flagship grape continues to evolve, with renewed emphasis on vineyard sites and terroir. Amanda Barnes, author of The South America Wine Guide, reports.

Hallgarten bolsters New World offering

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has bolstered its New World wine portfolio with 11 new wines from five producers.

Talking up organic

Argentina is well placed to lead the charge in organic wines, with Malbec as an ever-popular ‘in’. Harpers talks to a couple of pioneers who are determined to make this happen