Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay

Tasting notes: This sparkling wine is 100% Chardonnay made in Methode Tradicional from two separate vineyards high up in the Uco Valley. The wine shows toasty notes of brioche on the nose with hints of white flowers and lemon peel. The wine is crisp with touches of green Apple on the palate that leads to a creamy, almond croissant finish. A wonderful alternative to Cremate de Bourgogne.

Producer: Agustín Lopez, Mauricio Castro, Marcela Manini and Sebastian Zuccardi met at the Liceo Agrícola & Enológico School in Mendoza Argentina when they were 17 years old and they eventually formed Alma 4. Two years later, the quartet vinified 300 bottles of Methode Tradicional wine in 1998, their first year of production. Over 20 years later, they are still making wine together and they currently produce 5 sparkling cuvees from parcels located in the Uco Valley ranging from 1300-1550 meters above sea level. Alma 4 has continued to produce some of our favorite sparkling wine in South America.

Vineyard and Winemaking: Vineyards range from 950-1700 meters above sea level, providing an environment of cool temperatures, continental climate, wide thermal amplitude and extreme purity of light. The grapes come from vineyards located in La Carrera, San Pablo, Los Arboles, La Consulta and Vista Flores. The soils here are alluvial soils, of enormous complexity, because the mountain range itself is complex in its composition. Various alluviums, originating in different places on the mountain, gave rise to different types of soils in the Valley. Depending on the area, the soils are more or less deep, with or without the presence of calcareous material.