Argentina's Catena Zapata named 'World's Best Vineyard' for 2023

[peppertree]

The annual ‘World’s Best Vineyard’ winners have been announced, recognising the very best wine tourism experiences around the globe.

Catena Zapata of Mendoza, Argentina, topped the list, also winning the best overall South American vineyard. The award coincides with the opening of the vineyard's first restaurant, Angélica Cocina Maestra, located in Catena's renowned La Pirámide vineyard, founded in 1983.

Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena and known for its pioneering role in reinventing Malbec, Catena Zapata was one of four Argentine vineyards to make the top 20 – the other being Salentein (9th), El Enemigo Wines (10th), and Finca Victoria (13th).

The Healdsburg, CA, based Jordan Vineyard & Winery was the highest-ranking U.S. entry at number 20.

Glass half empty?

Though still the world's sixth-largest wine producer, Argentine output declined sharply during the 1990s as state subsidies to vineyards were curtailed amid a privatization push - and failed to recover even as exports rose from 1995 onwards.

Last year's output (1.15 billion liters) was only half the average levels in the 1970s and '80s, with consumption around 60% lower to 830 million liters.

Quality and variety have improved, however, with Argentina now growing over half the world's Malbec - a full-bodied red prized around the world.

But a 100-year drought - plus what exporters believe to be an overvalued peso (at the official rate) - have combined to slash exports so far this year by 31.7%.

At: https://harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/31662/Catena_Zapata_named__91World_92s_Best_Vineyard_92_2023.html

Publicity footage for Argentina's Catena Zapata, in the Andes foothills of vineyard-rich Mendoza Province.

Recognized as the World's Best Vineyard for 2023 by Britain's William Reed, the award was welcome news amid the worst drought in Argentina in a century.

[Bobstandard]

1. I've never heard of William Reed.

This award has about as much clout as my ‘best of’ selections. Less, perhaps because I pay for the wines I judge.

Rather than Jordan in Alexander Valley (which charges $100 just for a tasting at the winery and is mainly loved by oligarch types who only consider obscenely expensive rich-guy-only wines) I’d choose La Folette, an organic winery in nearby Dry Creek.

(Incidentally, Napa and Sonoma county are the largest users of Roundup in California and, surely coincidentally, have the highest levels of childhood cancer in the state.)

[peppertree]

2. Good points - and as far as Argentine malbecs, I prefer Norton (esp. the 'Reserve')

Still, it's nice publicity for Argentina's struggling wine industry in general - in what's turning out to be the most challenging year for the sector in three decades.

Not least because Argentines themselves have largely switched to beer since then (Quilmes, mainly).

Qué será.

[marble falls]

3. ...

https://axiswinerytx.com/about/the-winery/

[Bobstandard]

4. You're not trying to compare a, oh, never mind.

[Bobstandard]

5. Wait! Now I see what you did. OK, that's funny.

[Judi Lynn]

6. "Indian hostiles?" What the?

If they had any decency, the Native Americans would have all killed themselves so the poor Europeans could just have their land without having to murder, torture, massacre them all to get it.

[Judi Lynn]

7. Have been watching accolades, tributes increase over the years regularly! So cool.

Argentina's making a real place for its wines, by all means.

Thanks for the article.

[peppertree]

8. Glad you liked it, Judi. They've been trying - and it's not easy, as competitive a market as wine is

While they produce a large variety of reds, whites, and rosés - Malbecs are definitely my favorite.

I especially recommend Norton Reserve, which they (usually) sell at the Costcos.

Cheers - and Have a great week, Judi.