Eclat Extra Brut 2017

Nestled in Luján de Cuyo, in the heart of Mendoza, Caelum 's Éclat Extra Brut expresses the purity of a high-altitude terroir at 1,000 meters. The vines, planted in clay-limestone soils, combined with a semi-arid climate tempered by cool nights, offer ideal conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Abundant sunshine and significant temperature variations promote the concentration and natural balance of the grapes, resulting in a sparkling wine vibrant with energy and finesse.

The winemaking process involves pressing whole bunches of grapes separately for each grape variety. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks before the wine rests for several months on its lees. It is then blended and bottled with the liqueur de tirage to initiate the second fermentation. This essential step imparts its natural effervescence. Extended aging of 36 months on the lees enriches the texture and develops aromatic complexity. Finally, disgorging and a dosage of 6 g/L complete the balance of this brut wine.

This wine reveals notes of brioche , lemon , green apple , white peach , white flowers , fresh almond , acacia honey , and flint . On the palate, the attack is lively and creamy, supported by a fine effervescence. The balance between mineral tension and fruit creates a refined and elegant sensation.

Although Argentina is considered the "New World," its winemaking tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the time of Spanish colonization in the 16th century and later to Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been a part of the country's culture. No wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the final years of the 20th century (in terms of viticulture and oenology, and necessarily financially), which allowed the country's wine producers to raise quality levels and successfully consolidate an international export market. Argentina has now become the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Viticulture is practiced mainly in the foothills of the Andes, and more specifically in Mendoza, where desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to give rise to aromatic and intensely perfumed wines. Some vineyards can even be planted up to 3,000 meters above sea level! The terroir here is well-suited to Argentina's adopted grape variety: the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now responsible for some of Argentina's most famous wines, characterized by their brightness and intensity, with floral notes and black fruit flavors. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir. Among white wines, the emblematic grape of the Argentine wine region is Torrontés, which produces a wine with a floral and tropical flavor. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Today, Argentine wines are recognized worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as high-quality wines.