At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Region
- Mendoza, Argentina, with wines from Salta
- Main grapes
- Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrontés
- Named wines
- Zuccardi Q Malbec, Zuccardi Serie A Malbec, Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés, Zuccardi Polígonos San Pablo Cabernet Franc
- Defining feature
- High altitude vineyards, calcium carbonate rich alluvial soils and water conserving drip irrigation
The Producer
Engineer Alberto Zuccardi planted the family’s first vineyard to demonstrate an irrigation system he had invented. Familia Zuccardi is a family company operating in Mendoza. José Alberto assumed responsibility for leading the family business in 1985, and Sebastián Zuccardi is chief winemaker in the third generation.
The company’s wines come from Mendoza and Salta. Its named range includes regional Mendoza assemblages, Uco Valley Malbec, Cafayate Torrontés and Cabernet Franc from San Pablo.
Place
The Uco Valley vineyards sit in a high altitude mountain desert among alluvial soils with large stones and calcium carbonate. The family planted its first vineyards in Canal Uco, Paraje Altamira, then added sites in Altamira, San Pablo and Gualtallary.
Water management is part of the vineyard plan. Plot design, rootstocks, planting density and drip irrigation are tailored to each soil type to preserve water while maintaining vineyard health and vitality.
Wines
Serie A is built around Argentina’s representative grape varieties and vineyards in regions suited to each one. Serie A Malbec is 100% Malbec from the Uco Valley, with vineyards spanning 940 to 1,400 metres. Serie A Torrontés is 100% Torrontés from Cafayate, Salta, at 1,800 metres.
Zuccardi Q Malbec belongs to a regional wine assemblage made from grapes from Mendoza vineyards. Each plot is harvested separately and at different times before the wines are assembled.
Zuccardi Polígonos San Pablo Cabernet Franc 2023 is 100% Cabernet Franc from the Uco Valley. It narrows the range to one grape and one named Uco Valley place.
In The Glass
Polígonos San Pablo Cabernet Franc carries blackcurrant and graphite, followed by stewed black plum, oak and black pepper. The wine has medium plus body and acidity. Its finish is dry and persistent, with dusty tannins that remain on the palate.
A Bottle To Understand It
Open with Zuccardi Polígonos San Pablo Cabernet Franc 2023. It is 100% Cabernet Franc from the Uco Valley, with San Pablo named on the bottle. The wine keeps one grape and one Uco Valley origin together, while Zuccardi Q Malbec assembles grapes from separate Mendoza vineyards and Serie A links each variety to its regional source.
Final Word
The Zuccardi Valle de Uco winery was inaugurated in 2016 and built with natural materials from the area, stone, sand and water.
Sources
1. https://familiazuccardi.com/ 2. https://zuccardiwines.com/en/historia/ 3. https://zuccardiwines.com/en/fincas/ 4. https://zuccardiwines.com/en/bodega/ 5. https://vintagejournal.co/stories/familia-zuccardi 6. https://www.decanter.com/wine/producer-profiles/zuccardi-producer-profile-245940/ 7. https://zuccardiwines.com/en/vinos/vinos-de-region/ 8. https://www.kenswineguide.com/winereview/Zuccardi-2023-Poligonos-San-Pablo-Cabernet-Franc