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Argentina
Historically Argentina has often been referred to as the ‘sleeping-giant’ of the global wine-industry. The country, one of the worlds top five largest wine producing nations, never seemed to be able to fulfil the enormous potential it had at its disposal, especially when you consider the success enjoyed by its close neighbour Chile; and other smaller wine producing nations including Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This however never really bothered the local wine producers, as nearly all production was satisfying their own domestic thirst; that was until recently!
Unfortunately for the wine producers of Argentina traditions were changing. The younger generation of Argentineans began turning their back on wine, opting instead for apparently more fashionable drinks; as a result domestic wine consumption dropped by nearly half and subsequently had a devastating effect on the wine industry in Argentina. Winemakers who had traditionally been more interested in high volume low quality table wines (to satisfy the domestic palate), had to shift their wine production focus to high quality ‘fine wines’ if they were to capitalise on the growing demand offered by the international markets and survive.
Significantly, over the past decade substantial investment aimed at improving quality has been made and the country - having suffered years of military rule and dictatorship - has now welcomed advice and investment from outside the country resulting in a whole new quality of Argentinean wine, the results of which are now really starting to pay off.
Due to the high altitude and low humidity of the main wine producing regions, Argentine vineyards rarely face the problems of insects, fungi, moulds and other diseases that affect grapes in other countries; this permits cultivating with little or no pesticides. By far the best- known region in Argentina is that of Mendoza, which has more than 150,000 hectares of vineyards producing a wide range of wine styles.
It is the Malbec grape which now seems to have captured the imagination of wine-drinkers throughout the world and has staked its claim as Argentina’s flagship variety. However, there are other varieties one should not overlook - particularly those of Bonarda and Cabernet Sauvignon.
If you would like to find out more about Argentinean wine why not explore the Wines of`Argentina website. You can find out more about the wine regions, wine varieties, wineries, and wine routes, plus a whole host of additional facts and information.
The Hic! range of wines from Argentina includes some super styles fromValentin Bianchi, Bodegas Santa Ana and the outstanding Clos de Los Siete estate.
All our wines are available to buy online for delivery direct to your home or work.
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| Amalaya Blanco 2011 - Bodega Amalaya, Argentina |
| Bin No. AMALABL11 |
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Price: £8.95
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| A new white wine from the brilliant Amalaya stable reveals an intriguing white wine blend of Torrontes (90%) and Riesling (10%) grapes.
The wine is pale golden in colour with greenish edges. Intense and complex on the nose with aromas of citrus, grapefruit, ripe stone fruit and a touch of minerality.
On the palate this wine is medium bodied with a refreshing acidity, distinct mineral note and ripe fruit flavour. .. |
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| Amalaya Tinto Malbec Blend 2010 - Argentina |
| Bin No. AMALATIN10 |
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Price: £8.95
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| The 2010 vintage of the increasingly popular Amalaya red wine is as usual dominated by Argentina's flagship red grape variety Malbec (70%) with Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Syrah (5%) and Tannat (5%) grapes adding to the finished blend.
Grapes are sourced from some of the highest vineyards in the world, yields are low and the selection process is rigorous. Twenty-five per cent of the wine is fermented in French oak with the remainder in stainless .. |
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| Bodegas Santa Ana Reserve Malbec 2010 - Argentina |
| Bin No. SANTARM10 |
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Price: £9.95
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| In making this Reserve Malbec red wine, the team at Bodegas Santa Ana hand selected bunches of grapes, picked from superior quality vineyards within the Bodegas Santa Ana estate in Cuyo, Mendoza.
After de-stemming, the bunches are crushed and the juice is fermented with extended skin contact, beginning in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature and finishing in French barrique, a proportion of which are new. The wine is bottled afte .. |
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| Bodegas Santa Ana Reserve Viognier 2010 - Argentina |
| Bin No. SANTARV10 |
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Price: £9.95
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| The wine-making team at Santa Ana hand selected bunches of Viognier grapes, picked from superior quality vineyards within the Bodegas Santa Ana estate in Cuyo, Mendoza.
At the winery - after de-stemming - the bunches are crushed and chilled, then the juice is allowed a short skin contact before racking off the gross lees and fermenting in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature.
Ageing of this white wine is in French barrique (a .. |
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| Colomé Estate Malbec Blend 2009 - Argentina |
| Bin No. COLOMEST09 |
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Price: £14.95
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| Colomé's vineyards are the highest in the world, ranging from an altitude of 2200 to 3002 metres. The Colomé Estate Malbec is a red wine blend composed of Malbec (85%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) and Tannat (5%).
Grapes for a proportion of the Colomé Estate Malbec come from vines that are 90 to 150 years old - pre-phylloxera French vines!
75% of the wine has been aged for 15 months in French oak barrels (30% new & 70% second fill) and then cl .. |
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| Colomé Torrontes 2010 - Argentina |
| Bin No. COLOMTO10 |
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Price: £8.95
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| The Torrontes grape has been labelled by many as Argentina's signature white wine variety; however, in my experience the examples offered up by various producers of this native grape have been somewhat disappointing, often thin, insipid and rather lacklustre!
Thankfully, the Colomé Torrontes is a breath of fresh air in comparison. Situated at over 2000 metres above sea level the Torrontes grapes are all hand harvested by hand and yields per he .. |
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| Vistalba Corte A 2006 - Argentina |
| Bin No. CORTEA06 |
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Price: £28.00
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| Vistalba's flagship red wine the Vistalba Corte A is predominately Malbec (90%), with the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) grapes; all of which are carefully selected and hand picked from Pulenta's own vineyards.
After vinification the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months and then spends a further 12 months in bottle prior to its release on the market.
Vistalba Corte A is deep red in colour and displays complex fruit aromas, .. |
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View full details
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| Vistalba Corte B 2007 - Argentina |
| Bin No. CORTEB07 |
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Price: £15.00
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| The 2007 vintage of Vistalba Corte B is a fantastic composition of Malbec (63%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%) and Bonarda (15%) red grape varieties, all hand picked and carefully selected.
After vinification the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months and then a further 10 months in bottle prior to release.
The final Vistalba Corte B is intense red in colour with rich red fruit, cassis and smoky aromas. The palate is full and rich with .. |
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| Vistalba Corte C 2008 - Argentina |
| Bin No. CORTEC08 |
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Price: £10.50
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| The 2008 vintage of Vistalba Corte C is a composition of Malbec (78%), Cabernet Sauvignon (19%) and Bonarda (3%) red grape varieties, all hand picked and carefully selected.
After vinification 20% of the wine is aged in French oak for 12 months and then the wine spends a further six months in bottle prior to release.
The resulting Vistalba Corte C red wine is deep violet in colour with intense red berry fruit aromas and a touch of eucalyptu .. |
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| Mansion House Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Z |
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Mansion House Bay
Marlborough
Whitehaven wines was formed in 1993 by Greg and Sue White, and winemaker, Simon Waghorn. Their aim was to establish a winery in Marlborough producing premium quality varietal wines. To achieve this they have brought together a leading New Zealand winemaker, a dedicated group of growers, and a small modern winery facility where top quality fruit can receive the 'hands-on' treatment that i
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