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We reviewed this sparkler as part of a group sometime ago and tasted another bottle recently. At a SRP: of $14.99, it is lively, well balanced and a winner. It surpassed a big-name French Champagne we tasted that was “green” by comparison and not as food friendly. This Trapiche extra brut sparkling chardonnay, semillon and malbec blend is a tribute to Argentinean winemaking.
Established in 1883, Trapiche is the world’s leading producer of wines from Argentina. Located at the foothills of the Andes in Argentina’s viticultural epicenter Mendoza; Trapiche owns over 2,500 acres of vineyards spread throughout the region. With near perfect growing conditions – hot days, cool nights, scant rainfall and tightly controlled irrigation – Trapiche is able to consistently grow and source top quality fruit.. International style, fruit driven and represent the best of Argentina.
Summary
The Varietal series from Trapiche are hand-harvested varietal wines that provide fresh, pure flavors at extremely affordable prices. Each of the wines is bottled in its purest form with no oak aging and a minimal handling in the winery.
Terroir: The Trapiche Varietal selections are sourced from select vineyards that lie along the Mendoza River east of Mendoza high in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The vineyards sit in sandy soils at elevations that reach up to 2,500 feet in elevation. Harvesting and vineyard maintenance is done entirely by hand.
Vinification: Following harvest the grapes are transported to the winery where they are destemmed and vinified at cool temperatures for a period of 10-15 days to extract color, aroma and ripe fruit flavors. To retain varietal character and freshness the wines are aged for a short period of time entirely in stainless steel tanks before a light filtration and bottling. The second fermentation employs the “Charmat Lungo” method in small 50 hectoliter tanks at 14°C. The wine stays in contact with the lees for 120 days prior to bottling.
Notes
Trapiche Sparkling is a fresh, clean and vibrant sparkling wine showing off flavors or apple, pear, melon and citrus
70% Chardonnay, 20% Semillon and 10% Malbec. SRP: $14.99
