Domaine Al Este

Domaine Al Este
Location	Médanos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Appellation	Médanos
Founded	1999
Key people	Alberto Antonini, Winemaker
Parent company	Al Este Bodega y Viñedos
Known for	Malbec, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
Varietals	Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc
Tasting	By appointment

Domaine Al Este is a 290 hectares terroir located in Médanos, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Developed by Al Este, it was the result of a careful analysis and screening of land in this new terroir that was particularly apt for the growth of vineyards dedicated to the production of premium wines.

The Médanos terroir, that had traditionally been dedicated to garlic and pastures, has striking similarities to Bordeaux, France in terms of its soil, weather conditions and proximity to the sea. More recently, the idea of starting a wine project in Médanos got reignited as a result of a trip to France which provided renewed confidence in the terroir’s potential^[1].

The Médanos terroir has proven itself. In its first submission to a wine contest with wine produced from young vines, Al Este has been awarded a Silver Medal in the 2009 Decanter World Wine Awards, the world's largest wine contest celebrated in London. Al Este's award winning wine is recommended by Decanter in sixth position as one of the top chardonnays in 2009^[2]

Gallery

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  Malbec grapes

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  Chardonnay grapes

Médanos is the only Argentine terroir dedicated to production of premium wines with oceanic influence.^[3]

The vineyards are located at 39 degrees latitude south, where the Patagonia and Pampa converge, approximately 40 km from the Atlantic Ocean^[4].

Topography: Flatland with meadows (médanos)

Soil type: Sandy over a calcareous plate

Weather: Oceanic influence, with a windy Spring

Rainfall: 500mm per year

See also

• Al Este Bodega y Viñedos
• Medanos (appellation)
• Buenos Aires wines

References

1. ^ lanacion.com.ar Viñedos en los Médanos, written by Oscar Baltian, LA NACION 9/30/2006 (Spanish) “Vineyards in the meadows”
2. ^ decanter.com "Recommendations - Decanter World Wine Awards 2009: the top 10s, 20s, and more... - Top 26 Chardonnays under £10"
3. ^ ar.news.yahoo.com Se suma una nueva region al mapa vinicola (Spanish)
4. ^ fortuna.com El vino que llegó del mar (Spanish) “The wine that arrived from the sea”

Coordinates: 38°29′S 62°24′W / 38.49°S 62.40°W / -38.49; -62.40

External links

• Avec des nouvelles régions l’Argentine pourrait convoquer des nouveaux investisseurs (French)
• "Recommendations - Decanter World Wine Awards 2009: the top 10s, 20s, and more... - Top 26 Chardonnays under £10"
• El mapa vitivinícola se extiende por la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Spanish)