Cafayate wine region is among the most popular and best wine-producing areas of entire Argentina, and it should come as no surprise that there is an entire museum dedicated to viticulture in the city. Grape variety: 50% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petit Verdot and Merlot Situated 1,750 metres above sea level in the Salta desert, the Cafayate winery is one of the highest wine regions in the world. Its characterful flavour reflects the vineyard’s unique location nestled amongst the mountain ranges of the Calchaquí Valley, where Rutas de Cafayate is produced under sustainable practices and the winery is accredited with Bodegas de Argentina’s sustainable Agriculture Certification. The range also includes Rutas de Cafayate, an easy-drinking malbec inspired by the unique landscape of route 68 that connects Salta City with Cafayate Valley.

The Cafayate wine region is located on the Equator but, thanks to the perfect mix and balance of climate and soil, viticulture is a very successful business. Due to the altitude, the variation between daily and night temperatures is very high; for example, during the growing season, the difference is more or less around 15°C. The cold night temperature is powered by the winds from the near Andes. During the day, the climate is mainly desertic with a very low rainfall rate and low humidity. Lucy Bearman, Pernod Ricard UK Wine Portfolio Director, said: “Easy to drink and inspired by the unique landscape of Route 68 that connects Salta City with Cafayate Valley, we’re excited to bring Rutas de Cafayate Malbec to the UK and invite people to let the taste take them on a journey to Argentina.” El Porvenir – “the future” has been the name of this estate since it was founded in 1890. The winery and vineyards were restored by the Romero-Marcuzzi family in the 1990s and the main team is made up of company Director, Lucía Romero Marcuzzi, Winemaker Francisco 'Paco' Puga, and Agricultural Engineer Daniel Guillén, whose joint goal is to capture the essence of Cafayate's unique high altitude characters through their remarkable range of wines. Produced in the moderate-climate Uco Valley at about 1,000m altitude, the vineyards benefit from plenty of sunlight and cool nights. With mixed berry fruits and capisicum and mint notes, the wine shows coconut and tobacco wood bolstered by grainy tannins and lively acidity. Full-bodied and warm on the palate with good flavour definition and length. Drinking well now, but no real hurry, this wine would suit succulent pig or even wild boar. (Patricia Stefanowicz) Cafayate Estate is a more complex expression of malbec, showcasing the same varietal purity that is characteristic of the Salta region. Producing only 2% of the country's wine, the boutique area of Salta makes a completely unforgettable and unique malbec.

Cafayate Wine Region Map

Since 1850, Cafayate has produced these expressive wines at a unique, high-altitude level, with a tangible and certified commitment to sustainability. The full winemaking process, from harvest to fermentation, ageing and bottling, is 100% completed in its winery, made entirely from the grapes grown at its vineyards. Even better, these wines are the first in the Cafayate Valley to be certified by Bodegas de Argentina for Sustainable Agriculture. How does it taste? The Argentinean law for the regulation of the denomination of origin was first established in the 1980s and then modified in 1999. As of today, the Cafayate sub-region, as part of the Salta wine region, owns a GI (Geographical Indication) appellation. In this way, it is easier to know where the grapes are from and their origin has to be verified and stated on the bottle. Climate and Soil of Cafayeate Attractive and intense ruby red colour with a perfumed nose of violet and fresh red berry fruits - strawberry, raspberry and cherry. There are gentle spice and fresh herb notes with a real purity of fruit on the palate topped off by soft tannins and a juicy finish. Deep purple in colour with hints of plum and strawberry on the nose, its structure and silky tannins offer good concentration and balance on the palate. Perfect for dinner parties and sharing with friends, its lively, fragrant and versatile taste make it a great match for a wide array of dishes including cheese, grilled meat, charcuterie and roasted aubergines. The Museum of the Vine and Wine ( Museo de la Vid y el Vino) is located in a bright red building and is divided into two main rooms; here, exhibitions and memorabilia related to wine traditions from the Calchaqui Valley wine region are kept.

Rutas de Cafayate is a wine born in extreme conditions at one of the world’s highest vineyards, which gives it a unique expression and personality, and we’re confident that both wine lovers and those who haven’t discovered Malbec before will enjoy it. Salud!” Pernod Ricard UK has launched Rutas de Cafayate, a wine from one of the most prestigious wineries of Argentina. Situated 1,750 metres above sea level in the Salta desert, the renowned Cafayate winery is one of the highest wine regions in the world and has been producing Argentinian wine since 1850.

Pernod Ricard UK is extending the launch of its new Argentinian wine brand, Rutas de Cafayate, into the Impulse channel with an approachable and smooth Malbec. Set to capitalise on the popularity of Argentinian wine as the fastest growing Country of Origin [1], which is up by +45.6% in value sales in the Impulse channel [2], Malbec is also growing +44.6% in value [3]. The most planted variety in the Cafayate wine region is the white grape Torrontes. Torrontes is a fragrant, warm yellow wine with distinctive aromas of pineapple, orange blossom, apricot, and lychee. All these fruity aromas make the wine very refreshing and perfect for an aperitif on a hot day. The citrus aftertaste provides a well-balanced acidity in the mouth. Grapes are grown in the Finca Río Seco vineyards located 1,700 mts above sea level in Cafayate, Salta meaning that the intense sunlight of the day is followed by bracingly cold nights. The end result is a wine beautifully balanced between flavour inducing sugars and precise acidity. Surrounded by ancient and magnificent cacti, the 18 year old vines produce approx. 8 tons per hectare. Grapes are hand harvested into 20kg containers during the first and second week of March. Cold pre-fermentative maceration for 4 days at 5 ºC. Alcoholic fermentation for 14 days at a controlled temperature between 26 ºC and 28 ºC. Post-fermentative maceration for 15 days. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation.

Rutas de Cafayate is produced under sustainable practices and the winery is accredited with Bodegas de Argentina’s sustainable Agriculture Certification. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Rosary is the main landmark of Cafayate, and it actually, is located at the center of the city. The actual cathedral was built at the end of the 19 th century, as the old church was in ruins. The cathedral has five navies and built in a Spanish colonial architectural style. Museum of the Vine and Wine of Cafayate - Learn more about the Tuscany of Argentina The historic Catena Zapata vineyards (first planted in 1902) are planted with the Catena family’s proprietary selection of Malbec, the Catena Cuttings. In 2018 the Catena Alta Malbec is sourced from Lot 18 of the Angélica vineyard, Lot 4 of the La Pirámide vineyard, Lot 1 of the Nicasia vineyard, Lot 6 of the Angélica Sur vineyard and Lot 9 of the Adrianna vineyard. The resulting wine has an appealing deep cherry colour with baked summer pudding fruits, creamy wood and floral overtones. Bright acidity and silky tannin give a nicely balanced wine in a restrained style with integrated fruit, wood and structure and good length. A wine for turkey or game birds and Camargue red rice. (Patricia Stefanowicz)