From high in the Andes surrounding Salta come Piattelli\u2019s Cafayate wines, grown at over 5,890 feet elevation. The distinctively colorful northwest Argentina mountains, formed by many geological layers, inspired our labels and our regionally distinct approach to winemaking. The splendor of this area, with its pure water and extreme thermal amplitudes that produce grapes bursting with flavor, make this not only one of the most beautiful but also one of the premier grape growing regions in the world.<\/p>\n
“Cafayate the Beautiful\u201d<\/span>,\u00a0as the locals reference it, is deserving of the name. The Valley has been blessed by its natural landscape and is revered as one of the best regions for growing grapes in the world due to its climate. Our winery has been producing outstanding wines relying on the exceptional landscape of this Northern Province, which is also the highest wine-making region in the world. At Piattelli, we are passionately committed to making the most authentic wine from the region in which the grapes originate, with minimal interference in the process. <\/span><\/p>\n We let the grapes speak for themselves. The new labels and wines were created out of a deep respect and affection for the Cafayate region, and the wine showcases the untamed Valle Calchaqu\u00edes, where the Andes snow-cap water, free-draining sandy soils and high altitudes give birth to our grapes. The winemakers at Piattelli have demonstrated their outstanding viticultural practices in the undoubtable quality of these excellent wines.<\/span><\/p>\n MORE: 5 Great Wineries To Visit in Salta & Mendoza<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":8636,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"amenity":[1168,230,167,860,803,802],"wine_style":[919,920],"experiences":[],"class_list":["post-8635","winery","type-winery","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","amenity-beautiful-architecture","amenity-great-views","amenity-restaurant","amenity-vineyard-views","amenity-wine-tastings","amenity-wine-tours","wine_style-dry-red-wines","wine_style-dry-white-wines"],"acf":{"featured":false,"featured_order":"","content_title":"Winery in Cafayate, Salta, Argentina","logo":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/piattelli-vineyards-cafayate-logo-salta.jpeg","website_url":"https:\/\/www.piattellivineyards.com\/","established_year":"","head_wine_maker":"Valeria Antolin","hours_of_operation":"Open Daily: 10:00 - 19:00","yelp_id":"piattelli-cafayate-salta","contact_name":"","phone_number":"+011 +54 261-562-1050","email_address":"info@piattellivineyards.com","region":{"ID":8637,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2019-08-09 12:23:39","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 16:23:39","post_content":"","post_title":"Salta","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"draft","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"salta","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-08-23 22:02:58","post_modified_gmt":"2022-08-24 02:02:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/?post_type=wine_region&p=8637","menu_order":0,"post_type":"wine_region","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},"sub_region":{"term_id":1817,"name":"Cafayate","slug":"cafayate","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1817,"taxonomy":"sub_region","description":"","parent":0,"count":0,"filter":"raw"},"address_1":"Ruta Provincial N\u00b02","address_2":"","country":{"ID":4807,"post_author":"43","post_date":"2018-09-19 14:16:21","post_date_gmt":"2018-09-19 14:16:21","post_content":"","post_title":"Argentina","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"argentina","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2018-09-19 14:16:21","post_modified_gmt":"2018-09-19 14:16:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/?post_type=country&p=4807","menu_order":0,"post_type":"country","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},"state":{"ID":8640,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2019-08-09 12:29:20","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 16:29:20","post_content":"","post_title":"Salta","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"salta","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-08-09 12:29:20","post_modified_gmt":"2019-08-09 16:29:20","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/?post_type=state&p=8640","menu_order":0,"post_type":"state","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},"city":"Cafayate","postal_code":"","lat":"-26.044554","lng":"-65.9983427","place_id":"ChIJl-WxxBQxH5QRnRcTKtq84pA","tasting_details":"PIATTELLI VINEYARDS CAFAYATE Malbec is thought to have originated near Burgundy<\/a><\/strong> before spreading to other regions of France<\/a><\/strong>. Although it\u2019s probably best known as one of the red grapes allowed in Bordeaux blends, it\u2019s equally valued in Cahors in the Southwest. It also thrives in the Loire Valley<\/a><\/strong>, where it\u2019s known as C\u00f4t and is often used to produce lighter, more quaffable wines.<\/p>\r\n Malbec is, however, THE grape of Argentina<\/a><\/strong> due to Nicol\u00e1s Catena. He began a wine revolution in Argentina in the 1980s and studied the climate, the soils, the plantings, the farming. Every aspect of the winemaking process drove his passion to put Argentina on the international wine map. He inherently knew Argentina could and would make wine as great as anywhere else and had help from consultants such as Paul Hobbs and Attilio Pagli.<\/p>\r\n To this day, the Catena family and their Wine Institute continue to be the driving force in the development and propagation on making Argentine Malbec one of the best wines in the world.<\/p>\r\n IN THIS GUIDE:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n According to sommelier Kevin Cornish, Malbec is a lush, ripe wine with dark concentrated flavors. It contains beautiful black fruit flavors and aromatics of spice and some floral notes at times. There are different degrees of complexity in Malbec depending upon the winemaker and the region it is made in.<\/p>\r\n When from Cahors or Argentina, it can be positively inky, whereas it\u2019s lighter and brighter when it\u2019s from the Loire Valley. New World Malbecs outside of Argentina also tend to be muscular and bold. Expect lots of black fruit notes along with distinctive leather, mushroom, tobacco, smoke, pepper, and cacao. There are also hints of forest floor and clay in Malbec wines.<\/p>\r\n We\u2019re big believers in matching wine with cuisine from where it's produced, so try Malbec with grilled Argentine beef and chimichurri sauce \u2013 the pairing will pick up those smoky grilled notes along with the brighter herbal notes.<\/p>\r\n Cassoulet is another hearty pairing for French iterations. That said, since Malbec is so barbecue friendly, pair it with anything on the grill!<\/p>\r\n Argentina is basically a desert, due to the annual amount of rainfall (or lack thereof). For these high-altitude vineyards, careful study has been done for years to ensure the harvest is of the best quality, year in and year out. Water is in high demand and has been grandfathered in for use over the years. One can only use their allotment.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n On the valley floor, there are different methods of harvest, different pruning, and vine training. Vines may be more stressed at higher altitudes, and there are different soils.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Cooler climates, like the Loire Valley, will produce those lighter wines that can be chilled and popped open to sip on an easy Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n Bolder Cahors and Argentine Malbecs can age quite well. Although it's not as tannic as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec has a similar heft to it that breaks down and evolves beautifully with time. Malbec works well with a variety of oak treatments and, because it\u2019s bold, it tends not to be overwhelmed by deep toasting.<\/p>\r\n Written By Jamie Metzgar<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Jamie Elizabeth Metzgar began her career in wine by pouring in a tasting room on the East End of Long Island, NY. After moving to New York City, she landed a position at Chambers Street Wines where she was encouraged to pursue wine education at the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). She earned Level III certification there and has since earned California Wine Appellation Specialist and Certified Specialist of Wine certifications as well. After way too many moves, she has recently landed in Northern California where she is compiling an unofficial roster of dog-friendly tasting rooms.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n [jetpack_subscription_form title=\"Get Articles Like These Directly in Your Inbox!\" subscribe_text=\"Subscribe to Winetraveler and receive notifications when new articles are published.\" subscribe_button=\"Sign Me Up!\"]<\/p>","post_title":"Malbec","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"malbec-wine-grape-characteristics-taste-pairing","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-07-31 13:10:01","post_modified_gmt":"2022-07-31 17:10:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/uncategorized\/malbec\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"grape","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1871,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2018-03-08 16:52:07","post_date_gmt":"2018-03-08 16:52:07","post_content":"\n Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine grape variety of the grapevine species vitis vinifera. It is the most widely grown red wine grape variety in the world, and its wines were recently ranked as the most searched and sought-after in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can form a full-bodied, complex, fruit-forward and dry wine when vinified correctly. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape has received most of its notoriety from being grown in the Bordeaux region of France<\/strong><\/a>. Traditionally speaking, these wines taste of heavy red and black fruit backed by noticeable tannins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n IN THIS GUIDE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The climate Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in has been known to substantially affect its taste. Cooler climate Cabernet will tend to yield a more dark-fruit-forward wine with evidence of acidity. While warmer climates tend to yield more evidence of rich red fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Classic fruit notes are deep and dark: blackberry, black cherry, plum, cassis, and raisins. Earth and mineral notes can vary depending on terroir and vinification methods but classic notes include cedar, bell pepper, cracked spice, wood smoke, oak, tobacco, black olive, mushroom, mint, and wet gravel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of its complexity and high tannin structure, Cabernet Sauvignon is a great choice with any poultry or meat dish. The rugged spiciness of the wine combined with its dark fruit and earth will easily balance out grilled poultry, grilled pork, filet mignon, rack of lamb, or braised pork ribs perfectly. For vegetarian dishes, it works well with spiced mushroom, eggplant, or quinoa-based dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For cheese pairings, Cabernet Sauvignon works best with medium to sharp cheeses, like aged cheddar, apple-smoked gouda, asiago, gruyere, goat cheese, stilton, or bleu cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cabernet Sauvignon is a choice grape variety for wine drinkers and vintners alike because of its taste profile and ease to produce. The vines are incredibly hardy and can grow in an array of climates and terroirs. They produce grapes with thick skins which are highly resistant to damaging weather like frost and hail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yields are often high, which can be a huge positive for winemakers considering that Cabernet is one of the most in-demand red wines around the world. On the other hand, controlling yields is also important for more boutique, craft wineries who are looking for a more refined product. This requires further investment in labor costs and a choice selection in terroir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ironically, if you were to look at it on a timescale starting when humans first tried wine, Cabernet Sauvignon hasn\u2019t been around that long. It was stumbled upon during the 17th century in Southwestern France<\/strong><\/a>, where Sauvignon Blanc<\/strong><\/a> and Cabernet Franc<\/strong><\/a> were crossed to form a new grape variety. (This was recently discovered in 1996 where DNA testing was done at the <\/em>UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology<\/em><\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond Bordeaux, there are a plethora of quality Cabernet growing areas. Venture into regions like the Loire Valley, Lebanon\u2019s Beqaa Valley<\/a><\/strong>, Tuscany<\/strong><\/a>, and Navarra in Spain to truly expand your palate and see this grape\u2019s potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While centuries of wine production in Bordeaux helped launch Cabernet to fame over time, other regions like Napa Valley<\/strong><\/a> have helped bring it to the forefront of the new world as a single-varietal red wine. Many Bordeaux winemakers are known for blending Cabernet Sauvignon with other varieties, such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With wine production is expanding globally at a record pace, wine enthusiasts should begin to look towards other old world and new world wine-producing regions to sample new takes on Cabernet Sauvignon. In North America, Washington State<\/a><\/strong> is growing gorgeous examples of Cabernet in AVAs including Yakima, Walla Walla<\/a><\/strong>, Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills and the Columbia Valley. California wine lovers undoubtedly should continue to keep an eye on Sonoma County\u2019s wines<\/strong><\/a>. Paso Robles<\/strong><\/a>, and Lake County<\/a><\/strong>. The Santa Cruz Mountains<\/strong><\/a> are also crafting some delicious examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A variety of New World countries and regions produce fantastic Cabernet. From New Zealand\u2019s Hawke\u2019s Bay region to Australia\u2019s McLaren Valley, all the way to regions across Chile<\/strong><\/a> and even Stellenbosch in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cabernet Sauvignon produces some of the most age-worthy wines in the world. Cab loves oak \u2013 it\u2019s such a bold wine that it\u2019s almost impossible for oak to be intrusive. Instead, oak can really work wonders to round out the rough edges of young Cabernet Sauvignon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n French, American, and Hungarian oak all work well with Cab and it\u2019s rare that oak isn\u2019t used. High-end Bordeaux and high-end Napa Cabs can age for decades, and even less expensive Cabernets can age for a bit. While we don\u2019t necessarily recommend hanging on to an inexpensive wine for years \u2013 they are, after all, meant to be drunk young \u2013 with Cab, it could be a fun experiment just to see what happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\r\nCAFAYATE WINERY | SALTA, ARGENTINA
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\r\nThinking of taking a tour of the Cafayate winery? Perhaps a wine tasting? Contact us to let us know.
\r\n
\r\nWe would love to help schedule a Tour & Tasting for you!","tasting_price":"","tour_details":"Tours are available at Piattelli. Please contact the winery directly to make a reservation.","tour_price":"","reservations_required":true,"reservation_details":"Reservations are recommended for the wine tastings, wine tours and restaurant booking.","gallery":false,"grapes":[{"ID":1887,"post_author":"12","post_date":"2018-03-08 16:52:08","post_date_gmt":"2018-03-08 16:52:08","post_content":"\r\n\t
\r\n<\/a>What Does Malbec Taste Like? <\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>Malbec Food Pairings<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>Climate and Terroir for Malbec<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>How is Malbec Aged? <\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>Try some of these Malbec wine recommendations from around the world:<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
\r\n\t
Learn About These Other Wine Grape Varieties<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
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\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>What Does Cabernet Sauvignon Taste Like? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Cabernet Sauvignon Food Pairings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Climate and Terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>How Cabernet Sauvignon is Aged<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Try some of these great Cabernet Sauvignon wines and Cabernet-based blends from around the world: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Learn About These Other Wine Grape Varieties<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n