A first look at vintage quality in South America, with eyewitness reports from growers and winemakers
Ready to taste the first wines of 2013? While vines are just flowering in Europe and North America, the Southern Hemisphere has picked, crushed and fermented this year’s crop. Argentina and Chile experienced a cool growing season, which left vintners waiting for grapes to fully ripen. That wasn’t a problem for big reds like Argentina’s Malbecs and Chile’s Cabernet Sauvignon, but it could be trouble for Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.
Here’s a sneak peek at the upcoming vintage. Check out Wednesday’s report on Australia and New Zealand and come back Friday for details on South Africa.
Argentina
The good news: A long, cool growing season produced what many winemakers are calling fresh wines
The bad news: Up and down temperatures tested winemakers’ patience and required long hang times for grapes to reach full maturation
Also read:
- 2013 Southern Hemisphere Harvest Report: South Africa (by winespectator.com)
- 2013 Southern Hemisphere Harvest Report: Australia and New Zealand