Famatina is a remote, Dry and dusty river valley in the foothills of the Andes, within the La Rioja region of Argentina. Torrontés is by far the most important Grape variety planted in Famatina, and produces fresh, Aromatic white wines. The ever-present Malbec produces excellent wines in the region as well, along with Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
The small town of Famatina and the slightly larger town of Chilecito are home to the region's 500 or so small, family-owned vineyards.
These mostly produce grapes for the La Riojana Co-Operative that operates in the valley. Founded in 1940 by Italian immigrants, the co-operative is the dominant wine-production force in the valley, and the country's largest producer of Torrontés wines.
Conditions can be Harsh. Summer temperatures can reach 45°c (113°F), while there is only 180mm (7 inches) of rainfall per year.
However, the Terroir here is moderated by the altitude, which is higher than that of Mendoza in the South.
Vineyards in Famatina can be found at between 900 and 1,400 meters (2,950-4,600ft) above sea level. At this altitude, the vines experience intense solar radiation during the day and much cooler nights, This leads to an extended growing season during which the grapes have time to develop both Flavor complexity and Acidity.
The increased diurnal temperature variation makes Famatina more suited to Torrontés than Mendoza in the south.
This is the highest level set since the 2008 vintage, and comes off the back of continued sales growth of Champagne around the world. It is in stark contrast to the 2020 vintage, which was set at 8,000kg per hectare, one of the lowest yields set in recent years, following both drought and a vast drop in consumer demand during the pandemic, which saw sales drop by 18%. In 2021, Champagne experienced one of its most difficult growing seasons for many years, with frost, hail, rain and disease wreak ...
We are excited to announce the first of Decanter’s Wine Experiences, a series of carefully curated wine trips hosted by our regional wine specialists. Each trip is a carefully tailored once-in-a-lifetime experience that will grant guests access to the best vineyards, restaurants and wine experts of the region. Starting with a trip to the Rhône valley, Matt Walls will be hosting the first Decanter Wine Experience, imparting his knowledge of the region which he has honed over the years while rep ...
Contrary to the current trend in Italy, Montalcino shows no signs of officially designating subzones or specific crus. Yet variations in exposure, altitude and soil make for myriad expressions, even before taking winemaking into account. At Decanter’s first-ever Fine Wine Encounter in New York City, Brunello di Montalcino owned the final masterclass slot of the day. Ten wines from 2013 were carefully selected to discuss the diversity that exists within this revered region. Scroll down to see tas ...
