Paraje Altamira GI
Altamira is one of the places with more history and wine culture of the Uco Valley.
In 2013, the National Institute of Viticulture recognized Paraje Altamira as a Geographical Indication (GI), acknowledging in these lands unique characteristics for the cultivation of the vine and the production of high-end wines.
Paraje Altamira is located in the heart of the alluvial cone of the Tunuyán River in the foothills of the Cordillera de los Andes. Within the district of La Consulta in the south of the Uco Valley, Mendoza. It has an area of 3660 hectares in total, of which approximately 1900 hectares are cultivated.
HISTORY
Altamira is one of the places with more history and wine culture of the Uco Valley. There are different versions about the origin of the name of Paraje Altamira. Some say that it was formerly known as Furlotti and that it was only after 1977 that it was called Paraje Altamira. Others say that since much earlier, the area was called Altamira because it was a high place, suitable for bird watching and from where you could see the farms in the area.
Currently, you can find vineyards over 100 years old and the surface is divided into small farms in the hands of many producers, some of them small and that have been there for generations. This is a big difference in relation to the new places in the Uco Valley, which have young vineyards with large areas and few owners, mostly large wineries.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TERRUÑO
Paraje Altamira is a unique terroir in the Uco Valley. In addition to an altitude of more than 1000 masl, the irrigation with pure water of thaw and great thermal amplitude in the valley, it has a great presence of calcium carbonate.
GROUND
Its soil is characterized by the presence of rocks that in some cases exceed 2 meters in diameter. These blocks appear white due to the intense coverage of calcium carbonate that can reach a thickness of up to 3 mm.
WEATHER
The climate is continental with intense cold and a great thermal amplitude. This generates a condition of natural salubriousness since the annual cures are around three times less than in Europe. In this climate, the bunches mature slowly, achieving wines of complexity with acidity that allows us to think of aging wines.
Average temperatures during the ripening season: 20 ° C / 68 ° F
Precipitation (annual average) 213 mm / 1.03ft
Paraje Altamira
WINES
The wines are characterized by the presence of fresh fruit in the mouth, its marked acidity and its mineral textures.
Three suggested wines:
Zuccardi, Aluvional, Altamira, 2013.
Mendel, Finca Remota, 2015.
Lupa, Malbec, 2016, Lupa Wines.
PIPA
PiPA is an association of independent producers within the IG Paraje Altamira. Each producer makes wine from their own farm and they work collectively to bring Paraje Altamira to the top.
Wineries: Chakana, LUPA, Domados, Finca Beth, Finca La Igriega, Finca Las Glicinas, Finca Suarez, Son Vida, Traslapiedra.
Source: http://www.parajealtamira.org
