As it was Earth Day the week before last, I thought I would take a look at a couple of wines produced by Domaine Bousquet, the largest producer and exporter of organic-certified wine in Argentina, as there are two wines in their portfolio which pay particular homage to the earth: Gaia Malbec and Finca Lalande.
The estate is owned and run by husband-and-wife team Labid al Ameri and Anne Bousquet and is located at 4,000 feet in Gualtallary, a sub-region of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley.
Since the 1990s, the winery has made a name for itself in the organic category and become a pioneer of organic viticulture in Argentina, something that is close to its owners’ European heritage, as the wines are crafted with a French winemaking sensibility, making Domaine Bousquet one of the most sustainable wine brands in the world.
As well as being 100 per cent organic and vegan it was certified B Corp at the end of 2022 and last year became only the fourth wine estate world-wide to be awarded Regenerative Organic Certified status.
The Domaine Bousquet Gaia Organic Malbec 2021 pays tribute to the ancient Greek goddess of the earth Gaia, who is featured on the label, acknowledging the importance the earth plays in the winemaking process.
The grapes for Gaia Malbec are 100 per cent estate grown and sourced from the Gualtallary Valley in Tupungato at a cool 1,200-m/4,000-ft altitude, where constant breezes from the Andes help mitigate heat-stress in the desert-like climate where significant day/night temperature differentials help to enhance the aromatics.
All the fruit is harvested by hand by the end of March, followed by cold maceration for 72 hours. Fermentation then takes place with selected yeast at a maximum temperature of 27°C (81°F) for 12 days followed by a further maceration for 14 days before being aged in French oak for between 8 and 10 months.
Deep violet in colour, it is a rich and textural wine with flavours of red and black fruits notes and spicy aromas. This is a medium to full body Malbec that is polished, juicy and fruity with mature tannins with appealing savoury notes of garrigue.
This excellent Gaia Malbec, which is best served at around 18°C (65°F) pairs well with meat dishes such as steak, pork, lamb and venison as well as with fattier fish like salmon and also poultry.
Gaia Organic Malbec 2021, Alcohol: 14.5%, is available from Waitrose & Partners priced at £16.99.
Finca Lalande is the natural blend of French winemaking with Argentine terroir, and the Domaine Bousquet’s Finca Lalande Organic Malbec 2022 is a rich and medium-bodied, well-balanced Argentinian Malbec with intense aromas of figs, red and black fruits accompanied with plum notes, blueberries and blackberries on the palate and soft, elegant tannins.
Also sourced from the estate’s Alto Gualtallary vineyards, the Lalande Malbec 2022 is harvested by hand between the end of March and beginning of April and fermented and aged with selected yeast at a maximum temperature of 27°C for 12 days in stainless steel.
Made from 100 per cent Malbec, Finca Lalande is a naturally organic wine that is gluten free and vegan friendly.
Deep violet in colour, the wine has a balanced structure and a pleasant finish, offering intense rich aromas of blackberry fruit, mushrooms, figs and spicy black pepper notes. On the palate it has an elegant personality with spicy, layered red and black fruits, silky tannins and a plush finish, pairing well red meat and pasta dishes and is best served at around 18°C.
Finca Lalande Malbec 2022, Alcohol: 14%, is available from Waitrose & Partners priced at £10.99.
For more information on Domaine Bousquet and their excellent organic wines, please visit: www.domainebousquet.com.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man On The Ground, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs by Simon Burrell
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