Argentine wine: more than Mendoza

Travelling with Kaiken

Kaiken (Caiquén or Cauquen in Mapucha, the language of the indigenous people) is the name of a Patagonian goose species found in both Chile and Argentina. It migrates annually across the Andes, hence this bird is a symbol of one of the leading wineries in Mendoza. Kaiken has been operating since 2001 and is always pushing boundaries. Not only with new wine styles, but also by planting vineyards in other places in Argentina.

Pushing boundaries

Chances are that the most Argentine wine you drank in your life came from Mendoza. It is a city and wine region at the foot of the Andes. Kaiken has been operating there since 2001 and is always innovating. Hence, for the expansion of wine styles and grape varieties, they also see and exploit opportunities in other parts of the vast Argentine mainland.

They do so in relatively new wine regions within Argentina. In the Atlantic Zone, towards the coast, and in the northern part of Argentine Patagonia (the southernmost tip of South America crosses the border of Chile and Argentina).

Wine region of Mendoza

Argentina's wine-growing regions are found mainly in the west, on the eastern flanks of the Andes. The best-known wine region is Mendoza, with La Rioja and San Juan to the north grouped together to form the 'Cuyo' wine region. Together, by far the largest and most important wine region in Argentina. Cuyo means 'desert land' in the language of the original, indigenous people. And that is exactly what it is, a desert. A desert at altitude. Dry, arid and hot and desolate. Everything green is planted. For all the badly needed water, there is only one source: meltwater from the Andes.

The wine regions are mainly located between 1,000 and 1,500 metres above sea level. Growing grapes lower than 900 metres above sea level is therefore not very feasible.

The differences in climate and soil type are enormous. In addition, every 100 metres higher, it is on average one degree cooler. And the sun's UV radiation is much higher than at sea level. All these factors have their effect on the grapes. Argentine wines are therefore intense, expressive and powerful.

Curious about how Kaiken's wines taste? Read the tasting note in issue 84 of WINELIFE. Want to order Kaiken's wines yourself? They are available at various wine specialist shops and online: www.happyvino.nl