The Uco Valley (Valle de Uco) is a key winegrowing region of Mendoza, Argentina. An hour's drive South from the city of Mendoza, it is home to some of the region's most famous wines.
Argentina's primary Grape variety of Malbec shines here, producing terroir-driven red wines with a distinctive Floral">floralAroma. Cabernet Franc is much less widely planted, but some great results have been achieved.
In addition, some of Mendoza's finest white wines made from Chardonnay and Torrontés come from Uco Valley Vineyards. The relatively cool Climate allows the requisite slower ripening period.
Although considered Part of the Mendoza region, the Uco Valley can be recognized in its own right on several counts. Not only is the vine-growing area quite distinct; the region is also home to several of Argentina's top producers.
Attracted by the excellent climate and soil, newcomers such as the Bordeaux-based names Lurton, Dassault, Rothschild and Rolland have raised the region's profile. The vineyards of Vista Flores have produced some particularly successful wines.
Among Uco's specific merits is its high elevation at the foot of the Andes mountains. The valley's La Consulta and Tunuyan sub-regions sit at altitudes of 850 meters (2000 ft) and 1100m (3600 ft) respectively.
Pinot Gris is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot gris was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. Pinot Gris is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot Gris wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot gris is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
white wines from the region of Uco Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of cassoulet of yesteryear, braids of sole and salmon with morels or quiche without pastry.
On the nose in the region of Uco Valley often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, tropical fruit or citrus fruit and sometimes also flavors of microbio, vegetal or oak. In the mouth in the region of Uco Valley is a powerful with a nice freshness.
