One of the most highlighting things in my agenda last week was the organization and execution of the conference call we had with Michel Rolland and two well-known winemakers of his team as Thierry Haberer and Marcelo Pelleriti.

Michel Rolland is one of the most charismatic people I have met in the wine world. You can pick out his passion and of course his magnificent palate! When you share a tasting with him, he is usually very solemn since he likes concentration but it is fascinating to observe his ability to distinguish the best grape parcels just through tasting wine in its different stages. Then together with the winemaker they take decisions in order to get the best out of these grapes.

Along the conference (and before and after it!) we covered different topics but most importantly I would like to concentrate about Valle de Uco. I would like to highlight some comments that were made by Michel;

• “When I went to Valle de Uco for the first time I was impacted by its view! The mountains are magnificent. But there was something else… I could smell it… Valle de Uco has an outstanding terroir due to its altitude, soil composition and weather conditions. I was lucky as well of course to have chosen one of the best terroir from Argentina!”

• “There is just one way to succeed in Argentina… making good-quality wine! And not getting crazy with prices!”

• “Of course I believe in Malbec! When I started working with it when it was still undervalued, even being paid less than a Criolla grape! Fortunately we were able to change the history of this noble grape and it has become a really appealing grape for wine lovers”

• “There are many other varietals that grow well in the Valley. That is why in Clos de los Siete in Valle de Uco we have 60% Malbec and then we have other varietals such us Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir among the reds and Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc among whites”

• “One key element to get quality of grapes in all varietals is to manage yield correctly. That will be essential to be able to make good wine in Argentina”

• “Of course Argentina is a success in USA. In Europe it is more difficult but little by little it is finding new interesting markets as it can be Denmark, Norway, Sweden and UK”

• “Torrontés is a very interesting grape and I think it is a question of time to conquer new markets. It will be very successful in 10 years! It has interesting attributes as its crispness and easy palate that can be very appealing for many consumers”

• “It is very possible to make amazing out of young vines! Taste our 2001 wines and you will see! Of course with old vines you have a natural low yield that provides a natural balance and concentration. Yet, it depends on how these old vines have been managed. You can also make terrible wine from old vines if the management has not been the correct one “

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