Making quality wines in Salta might once have been considered rebellious, even heroic. Today, faced with climate change, winemakers around the world are looking to alternative terroirs, at altitudes and latitudes once deemed too challenging and extreme. In this context, Salta stands out as a region ahead of its time.
In the far northwest of Argentina, bordering Bolivia to the north, Chile to the east and the smaller Jujuy province on its northwestern corner, Salta is first and foremost a high-altitude wine region. With vineyards planted between 1,530 and 3,111 metres above sea level, the region’s terroirs are pushing the limits of viticulture. This, combined with an enduring winemaking heritage and a wealth of impressive terroirs, makes Salta a source of wines with very distinctive character – and incredible potential to develop further.
Note: Salta GI covers the entire province of Salta. Credit: JP Map Graphics Ltd
Terroir diversity – in technicolour
Salta’s viticultural area is concentrated in the south of the province along the Calchaquí Valleys, a 270-kilometre system of interconnecting valleys (and also an overarching Geographical Indication) that Salta shares with its southern neighbours, Catamarca and Tucumán.
The heritage of the indigenous Calchaquíes remains strong here. As well as fiercely resisting both Inca and Spanish invaders, they were skilled potters, herders and farmers; their patterned pottery, colourful textiles and stone structures still shape the region’s cultural and aesthetic identity. What’s more, high-altitude vineyards arguably also continue their legacy: many of the area’s steep hillsides are only cultivable at all due to the terraces the Calchaquíes built into the rugged landscape.
Low precipitation is just one of the challenges for Salta’s winemakers. Credit: Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate
The vibrant colours of traditional Calchaquí art echo those of the province’s dramatic and diverse landscapes. It’s not by chance that Salta is known as La Linda – the beautiful. As well as making for breathtaking vistas, its rust-huedcanyons, turquoise salt flats, thick, green jungles, pink sand banks and golden caves are all visual clues to the geological wealth of the region. Alluvial and volcanic soils – with a predominance of well-draining sandy-loams – translate into an intricate variety of terroirs.
Precipitation here is notoriously low (200mm per year); the Andes to the west form a rain barrier, while mountain rivers supply the region with much-needed water for irrigation. Salta’s combination of low humidity and good aeration from cool mountain winds provides the ideal natural conditions for effortless sustainable viticulture. This is bolstered by its biodiversity: vines share the slopes with local flora such as Algarrobos, Molles, Arcayuyos and Cardones.
Salta is home to some of the world’s highest-altitude vineyards
Taking the high road
The best way to discover Salta’s vineyards, terroirs and producers is to follow the iconic Salta Wine Trail. Running along Routes 40, 33 and 68, the Ruta del Vino is the world’s highest-altitude wine route. It offers visitors a highest-altitude wine route. It offers visitors a full immersion in the province’s natural and cultural identity, taking in Salta’s key wineries, historic settlements and natural landmarks, such as the beautiful ravines and rock formations of Quebrada de las Flechas and Quebrada de las Conchas.
The route passes through San Carlos, Molinos and Cachi, picturesque towns that give their names to their respective GIs. It was near Molinos that the province’s first vines were planted, brought by Jesuit priests from the Canary Islands via what is now Chile. Meanwhile, some of the world’s highest vineyards are located in Payogasta, just northeast of Cachi.
Salta’s high atltitude brings large diurnal temperature variation – promoting slow, balanced ripening. Credit: Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate
Salta…
Source : https://www.decanter.com/sponsored/salta-winemakings-high-point-549433/
