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 noir is an important red grape variety in Burgundy and Champagne, and its reputation is well known! Great wines such as the Domaine de la Romanée Conti elaborate their wines from this famous grape variety, and make it a great variety. When properly vinified, pinot noit produces red wines of great finesse, with a wide range of aromas depending on its advancement (fruit, undergrowth, leather). it is also the only red grape variety authorized in Alsace. Pinot Noir is not easily cultivated beyond our borders, although it has enjoyed some success in Oregon, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
wines from the region of Uco Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, pork or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of borscht (russia), pork cheeks confit in cider or rabbit with tomato.
