Zuccardi Serie A Torrontes 2023

Region and Vineyards

The Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés originates from the renowned Salta region in northwestern Argentina, a unique area known for its dramatic elevation and climate. This wine is produced from vineyards at an altitude of 1,800 meters (5,906 feet) in the Calchaquí Valley, one of the highest wine-growing areas in the world. Salta's altitude offers an extraordinary diurnal temperature range, often with a difference of around 25°C between day and night. This temperature fluctuation preserves acidity in the grapes, which is key to the vibrant character of Torrontés while enabling rich flavor concentration.

Salta’s climate and terroir create an environment perfectly suited to the Torrontés variety, with dry weather, abundant sunshine, and minimal rainfall helping the grapes achieve ideal ripeness. The high-altitude vineyards also benefit from intense sunlight, which enhances the development of complex aromatics without compromising the grape’s refreshing acidity. As a result, wines from this region express an exceptional purity of fruit, floral aromatics, and balanced acidity, making Salta a distinguished home for Torrontés.

Winemaking

The winemaking process for Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés begins with hand selection of clusters to ensure only the finest grapes proceed to fermentation. This careful selection underscores the Zuccardi family’s dedication to quality and highlights the natural expression of the Torrontés grape. Once selected, the grapes undergo a gentle destemming and pressing, followed by fermentation with native yeasts, which emphasizes the wine’s terroir and distinct regional character. By using native yeasts, Zuccardi enhances the wine’s sense of place, letting the high-altitude Salta terroir shine.

Following fermentation, the wine is aged on its lees for six months. This lees contact adds subtle complexity, rounding out the texture without diminishing the vibrant, fresh profile that defines this Torrontés. The aging on lees also contributes to the wine’s volume and weight on the palate, creating a balanced structure that pairs beautifully with the variety’s characteristic aromatic intensity. This wine is crafted from 100% Torrontés and is beautifully balanced with 13.9% alcohol, a total acidity of 6.5 g/L, and a pH of 3.29, which all contribute to a refined and refreshing final profile.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale yellow with delicate greenish reflections.
• Aroma: Expressive and elegant, showcasing linden flower, citrus, and white fruit aromas. The bouquet is fresh and floral, capturing the aromatic richness typical of Torrontés.
• Palate: Dry and lively, with vibrant acidity that gives the wine a crisp, refreshing edge. The palate reveals citrus notes with a lingering finish, offering a round mouthfeel balanced by a persistent freshness. The overall profile is elegant, bright, and reflective of the high-altitude terroir.

Did you know?

Torrontés is often celebrated as Argentina’s signature white grape and has found its most expressive home in Salta’s elevated vineyards. With some of the highest-altitude vineyards in the world, this region allows Torrontés to thrive, producing wines with distinct floral aromatics and zesty acidity that set it apart on the global stage. Zuccardi Serie A’s name, derived from "Argentina Series," emphasizes the brand's dedication to representing Argentina's most iconic grape varieties in their most authentic form.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Ceviche: The citrus and floral notes of the wine perfectly complement the acidity and freshness of ceviche, enhancing the flavors of seafood.
• Chicken Empanadas: This classic Argentinian dish pairs beautifully with the floral and citrus profile of Torrontés, balancing the savory, spiced filling.
• Goat Cheese Salad: The wine’s lively acidity cuts through the creaminess of goat cheese, creating a harmonious pairing that highlights both the wine’s and the dish’s freshness.
• Thai Basil Chicken: The aromatic qualities of Torrontés resonate with the herbal and spicy flavors in Thai basil chicken, enhancing the dish’s complexity and adding an extra layer of freshness.

History of Zuccardi

The story of Familia Zuccardi began in 1963 when Engineer Alberto “Tito” Zuccardi planted the family's first vineyard in Mendoza to demonstrate his innovative irrigation system. This vineyard not only marked the beginning of Zuccardi's journey in viticulture but also sparked a passion for winemaking that would be passed down through generations​​.

In 1985, Tito's son, José Alberto Zuccardi, took over the management of the family business. Under his leadership, the winery expanded its operations and gained international recognition. José Alberto's innovative spirit and dedication to quality have made him one of Argentina's most prominent wine ambassadors​​.

Today, the winery is led by Sebastián Zuccardi, the third generation of the family. Sebastián has continued to push the boundaries of winemaking by exploring the diverse terroirs of the Uco Valley and focusing on sustainability. In 2009, he founded the Research & Development department to study the region's soils and climate, aiming to produce wines that truly reflect their place of origin​​.

Region and Vineyards

Familia Zuccardi's vineyards are located in the Uco Valley, a region known for its high-altitude climate, complex soils, and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

The valley's soils are of alluvial origin, formed by materials that descended from the Andes Mountains millions of years ago. These soils are diverse and heterogeneous, providing a unique environment for viticulture​​.

The vineyards are situated at various altitudes, ranging from 1,050 meters to 1,400 meters above sea level, which allows for a wide range of microclimates and soil types. Some of the key vineyards include:

• Finca Canal Uco: Located in Paraje Altamira, known for its alluvial soils with large granite stones covered in calcium carbonate.
• Finca Piedra Infinita: Also in Paraje Altamira, featuring shallow alluvial soils with granite stones and calcareous material.
• Finca Los Membrillos: Known for its calcareous soils with large granite stones, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Finca Las Cuchillas: Located in San Pablo, one of the coldest areas in the Uco Valley, known for its high-altitude and calcareous soils.
• Finca Las Cerrilladas: Situated in Gualtallary, with diverse soils influenced by the Jaboncillo Hills​​.

Winemaking

Sebastián Zuccardi, along with a dedicated team of viticulturists and winemakers, emphasizes the importance of expressing the true identity of the Uco Valley through their wines. The winery uses minimal intervention techniques, allowing the unique characteristics of the terroir to shine through.

Most of the wines are fermented and aged in concrete vats and large, untoasted oak barrels, which do not impart any flavors to the wine but allow for subtle micro-oxygenation. This method preserves the purity and expression of the fruit, showcasing the distinctive qualities of each vineyard and parcel​​​​.

Wine Range

Zuccardi offers a diverse range of wines, each reflecting the unique terroir of the Uco Valley. The portfolio includes:

• Finca Wines: Single vineyard wines that express the specific characteristics of a particular vineyard (ex: Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal, Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal).
• Paraje Wines: Wines that highlight the identity of a subzone within a village of the Uco Valley (ex: Polígonos Paraje Altamira, Polígonos San Pablo).
• Pueblo Wines: Wines that show the identity of a single village (Geographical Indication) in the Uco Valley (ex: Aluvional Gualtallary, Aluvional La Consulta).
• Viticulturist Wines: Unique expressions honoring the history of the family, a particular region, or grape variety (ex: Tito Zuccardi, Emma Zuccardi).
• Regional Wines: Wines made from Argentina and Mendoza's most important grape varieties from regions considered most representative for each variety​​ (ex: Zuccardi Q Malbec, Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés​).

Did You Know?

Zuccardi has received numerous accolades for its exceptional wines. In 2022, it became the only winery in Argentina with three wines awarded 100 points from Robert Parker Wine Advocate.

Additionally, Wine Enthusiast named it "New World Winery of the Year," and it was recognized as the #1 best vineyard in the world by the World’s Best Vineyards for three consecutive years (2019-2021), earning a place in the Hall of Fame in 2022​​​​.