KEY CONCEPTS FOR CATENA AND CATENA ZAPATA

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "KEY CONCEPTS FOR CATENA AND CATENA ZAPATA"

Neal Horn
5 years ago
Views:

KEY CONCEPTS FOR CATENA AND CATENA ZAPATA THE RENAISSANCE OF MALBEC - TIMELINE a. Birth of MALBEC in France 2,000 years ago as described by the Roman legions as they walked through Aquitaine, France.

MALBEC s heydays in BORDEAUX at the time of the 1855 Classification, when it was an essential part of the blend (from 20-60%) alongside Cabernet Sauvignon d.

1 KEY CONCEPTS FOR CATENA AND CATENA ZAPATA THE RENAISSANCE OF MALBEC - TIMELINE a. Birth of MALBEC in France 2,000 years ago as described by the Roman legions as they walked through Aquitaine, France. b. MALBEC became famous as the BLACK WINE in the Middle Ages - Eleanor of Aquitaine s Court of Love. c. MALBEC s heydays in BORDEAUX at the time of the 1855 Classification, when it was an essential part of the blend (from 20-60%) alongside Cabernet Sauvignon d. MALBEC s near extinction in France due to Phylloxera and global cooling (Malbec is a late ripening, delicate grape susceptible to harsh weather and was replaced by the earlier ripening, tougher Merlot). e. MALBEC s rebirth in Argentina by the CATENA FAMILY since f. To Nicolás Catena Zapata s MALBEC REVOLUTION of the 1980 s-90 s. Known from the time of the Roman Empire more than 2000 years ago. IT BECAME FAMOUS IN THE Middle Ages during Queen Eleanor s THE HISTORY OF ARGENTINE MALBEC Introduced in ARGENTINA in the 1850 s Malbec is a very delicate, late ripening variety. IT IS VERY SENSITIVE TO COLD WEATHER AND LACK OF SUNSHINE. This is why it adapts so well to Mendoza s sunny, dry weather. Malbec Rennaissance in the 1990 s by Nicolás Catena Zapata and his Catena Argentine Malbec. COURT OF LOVE. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, Malbec was the main partner OF CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the Grand Crus classiﬁed in 1855 (Malbec was 10-40% of the blend). After the PHYLLOXERA EPIDEMIC in the 1870's wich devasted vineyards across Europe, the Malbec practically disappeared from France. It was mostly replaced by Merlot, wich rippened earlier. The Catena Cuttings: First selection of pre-phylloxeric Malbec vines at the CATENA INSTITUTE OF WINE, founded by Laura Catena. THE GRAND CRU of SOUTH AMERICA ADRIANNA VINEYARD El Mirador, Adrianna Vineyard In the 1980 s, third generation vintner NICOLAS CATENA ZAPATA from a family of Italian immigrants, dared to believe that his native ARGENTINA could make a South American GRAND CRU. Nicolas found the location for his GRAND CRU at the ADRIANNA VINEYARD, where a combination of high altitude (5,000 feet elevation) cool and sunny climate, and alluvial, limestone soils gave rise to the ADRIANNA VINEYARD Vinos de Parcela, Parcel Wines. BODEGA Y VIÑEDOS CATENA The original name of the winery started in 1902 in Mendoza by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena and it stands for Catena Winery and Vineyards. La Pirámide Vineyard CATENA MALBEC The start of the Renaissance of Malbec by the Catena family was in 1902 when Nicola Catena planted his first Malbec vineyard. In the 1990 s, CATENA MALBEC was the first ARGENTINE MALBEC to make waves in the world, and to bring back to prominence this NOBLE grape which had once been revered in France, and nearly gone extinct after the phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800 s.

In the 1980 s, Nicolas Catena was not completely sure that Malbec could make a Grand Cru wine with complexity and ageing potential. It was his father, Domingo Vi

And it was his father s encouragement that convinced Nicolás to start the MALBEC REVOLUTION. Early 1990 s - when Dr.

2 In the 1980 s, Nicolas Catena was not completely sure that Malbec could make a Grand Cru wine with complexity and ageing potential. It was his father, Domingo Vicente, aka D.V. Catena, who convinced him that Argentine Malbec could make a wine as great as the best of France. And it was his father s encouragement that convinced Nicolás to start the MALBEC REVOLUTION. Early 1990 s - when Dr. Laura Catena was still a medical student and tried to help her dad by presenting Malbec to retailers and sommeliers, they would say the CATENA MALBEC tastes amazing, but I can t buy it because I won t be able to sell it wine consumers don t know what Malbec is. This lack of response to Malbec is what convinced Laura that she needed to be a part of the family winery to help change perception Wall Street Journal - first story about Malbec in a major US newspaper, ranks CATENA MALBEC as #1. Catena in The Wall Street Journal, 1990 WHAT COMES AFTER MALBEC IN ARGENTINA? Wine Journalist - Laura Catena CATENA APPELLATIONS A decade ago journalists kept on asking Laura Catena what comes after Malbec in Argentina? This question would always make Laura mad because Malbec is a grape with 2,000 years of history which has survived centuries of fame, near-extinction and rebirth. So Laura questioned the journalist: Would you ask Aubert de Villaine of Romanée Conti what comes after Pinot Noir in Burgundy? Laura proceeded to explain to this journalist how diverse the expressions of Malbec can be from North (Salta) to South (Patagonia) in Argentina and within the different sub-regions of Mendoza. Laura realized though, that to explain this extraordinary diversity of Malbec flavors, the wines from the different terroirs should be bottled separately, and that is how CATENA APPELLATIONS was born. Lunlunta, Mendoza Lunlunta: OLD VINES Old Vine Malbec, ripe flavors, silky tannins Who is the old world for Malbec? In France less than 10 individual clones are left and vines are grafted. In Argentina there are hundreds of individual Malbec cuttings/clones (the Catena Cuttings represent 135 individual plants = a population of Malbec) which date back many centuries, and vines are planted in their own roots (not grafted on American rootstocks) much like they were in Europe before the phylloxera epidemic.

Vista Flores: FRUITY, PINOT NOIR LIKE Deep soils, floral and fruity aromas, smooth tannins and delicate flavors the most pinot-noir like Malbec. Vista Flores means view of the flowers.

La Consulta, Mendoza DV Catena, Laura s grandfather, said that he could fix any light wine by adding a dollop of La Consulta to the blend.

Laura Catena and the Catena Institute fought to have the Altamira appellation established against foreign groups (from USA and Russia) who had trademarked the appellation s name, Altamira.

He had to leave school at age 10 to help his father in the vineyard and winery. DV s father was Nicola Catena the Italian immigrant who founded the Catena winery in 1902.

3 Vista Flores: FRUITY, PINOT NOIR LIKE Deep soils, floral and fruity aromas, smooth tannins and delicate flavors the most pinot-noir like Malbec. Vista Flores means view of the flowers. There are many flowers planted in Vista Flores and the Malbec wines have floral aromas. Vista Flores, Mendoza La Consulta: CONCENTRATED - Blue fruits, concentrated, rich tannins. La Consulta, Mendoza DV Catena, Laura s grandfather, said that he could fix any light wine by adding a dollop of La Consulta to the blend. It was from this vineyard that he used Malbec in his famous Blend. Paraje Altamira: Violet aromas, MINERAL, CONCENTRATED AND SMOOTH - shallow alluvial gravelly soils, low yields. Laura Catena and the Catena Institute fought to have the Altamira appellation established against foreign groups (from USA and Russia) who had trademarked the appellation s name, Altamira. Paraje Altamira, Mendoza DV CATENA TINTO HISTORICO Domingo Vicente Catena DV CATENA, DOMINGO VICENTE CATENA, is Nicolás Catena s father. He had to leave school at age 10 to help his father in the vineyard and winery. DV s father was Nicola Catena the Italian immigrant who founded the Catena winery in (note that Nicola is the Italian spelling of Nicolas and in Italian tradition, the oldest grandson takes the name of his grandfather and that is why Nicolas Catena was named so). Although DV CATENA led a simple country life, he was very ambitious. When DV went to Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital and saw its fancy Parisian-styled restaurants, he saw a wine market waiting to be conquered. He created the powerful TINTO BUENOS AIRES, a blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Petit Verdot which became the rage in all the restaurants where it was sold in carafes. DV CATENA would send the wine to the city in oak casks. When Malbec first came to Argentina in the 19th century it was planted mixed with its Bordeaux brother Petit Verdot, and those mixed Malbec and Petit Verdot vineyards were called uva francesa or French grapes. That is why the DV CATENA is named TINTO HISTORICO because it is a historic blend for ARGENTINA as well as for the CATENA FAMILY.

CATENA ALTA MALBEC ALTA means high, for CATENA s High Altitude revolution Nicolás Catena planted at high altitude looking for a cooler climate that would allow him to make wines with optimal natural

HISTORIC ROWS refers to the row by row selection for the ALTA (high) wines from CATENA s Historic Vineyards every vineyard has a parcel or rows that always provide the best wine that is where CATENA

LAURA CATENA a still practicing pediatric emergency physician with a background in science from Harvard (biology) and Stanford (medicine) founded the CATENA INSTITUTE OF WINE in 1995 to better

When Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon (1992), Chardonnay (1993) and Malbec (1994) were released they became the first collectible wines from ARGENTINA.

4 CATENA ALTA MALBEC ALTA means high, for CATENA s High Altitude revolution Nicolás Catena planted at high altitude looking for a cooler climate that would allow him to make wines with optimal natural acidity, complexity and the ability to age. HISTORIC ROWS refers to the row by row selection for the ALTA (high) wines from CATENA s Historic Vineyards every vineyard has a parcel or rows that always provide the best wine that is where CATENA ALTA comes from. LAURA CATENA a still practicing pediatric emergency physician with a background in science from Harvard (biology) and Stanford (medicine) founded the CATENA INSTITUTE OF WINE in 1995 to better understand Mendoza s high-altitude wine region and its signature grape Malbec. Laura s research led her to study the flavor of each vineyard down to each soil type and plant. When Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon (1992), Chardonnay (1993) and Malbec (1994) were released they became the first collectible wines from ARGENTINA. Catena Vineyards La Piramide Vineyard, Mendoza BODEGA CATENA ZAPATA The Pyramid - home to CATENA ZAPATA NICASIA, MALBEC ARGENTINO, NICOLAS CATENA ZAPATA, ADRIANNA VINEYARD VINOS DE PARCELA Nicolás Catena traveled the world looking for inspiration to build his winery in the 1990 s. He decided that even though he has Italian and Spanish roots, he did not want to copy an Old World architectural style. Nicolás wanted to create something new that payed homage to the distinctive Mountain terroir of his native Mendoza. On a trip to Central America, Nicolás fell in love with the Mayan pyramids. The Mayans aspired to reach the highest levels in farming, math, language and architecture. This Native American culture was an inspiration for Nicolás to build the CATENA ZAPATA pyramid winery following the Mayan architectural style.

schoolteacher and academic mentor to Nicolas; Angélica died in a car accident when Nicolas was only 18 years old.

5 NICASIA VINEYARD: the GRANDMOTHER wine Named after Laura s great grandmother Nicasia, and is in Paraje Altamira. This vineyard planted in the early 1990 s is named after Nicasia, who was Laura s active grandmother (Laura s real grandmother whom she never met was Angelica Zapata, Nicolas Catena s mother, a schoolteacher and academic mentor to Nicolas; Angélica died in a car accident when Nicolas was only 18 years old.) And that was why Nicasia, Angelica s mother and Laura s Nicasia and Nicolás Catena with grandson great-grandmother functioned as Laura s live grandmother. Laura named this vineyard Nicasia because of its soft and smooth tannins and generous aromas, just like her great-grandmother Nicasia who was all love and hugs, and knitted clothes for Laura s dolls. Nicasia was the most loving person that Laura has ever known, much like the wine. MALBEC ARGENTINO The first label to tell the history of a variety. Adrianna Catena, PhD in history (Berkeley undergrad and masters, and Oxford doctorate) developed the idea. Adrianna Catena is Nicolás Catena Zapata s youngest daughter. 10 Centuries of LIFE, DEATH AND REBIRTH, told through four women who each played a role in the birth of MALBEC in France to its rebirth and renaissance in Argentina. Adrianna, the historian, says that most of history has been told through a male point of view and CATENA ZAPATA is changing the paradigm with this label. Comes from OLD VINES Angelica and Nicasia Vineyards avg. vine age 55 years. NICOLAS CATENA ZAPATA The wine that recreates the blend that was classified for the grand crus in 1855 and Nicolas Catena Zapata s dream to make a wine that will stand with the best of the world: a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Nicolás Catena Zapata was told by a producer from Bordeaux London Tasting NCZ that the wines from the traditional areas in Mendoza tasted like Langue d Oc wines. He wanted to make an Argentine wine that would stand with the best of the world and realized that he needed to search for cooler climates further South and higher in altitude. Inspired by the Napa revolution of the 1970 s, 80 s and by the Judgement of Paris to challenge the French hegemony on fine wine. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec recreates the blend that made the wines classified in 1855 famous Books from 19th century France state that the Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon needed the fruit and soft tannins of Malbec to make an elegant and complex wine.

ADRIANNA VINEYARD VINOS DE PARCELA SOUTH AMERICA S GRAND CRU VINEYARD Dr.

TERROIR that includes: Adrianna Vineyard. altitude and sunlight intensity. microbiome. plant selection. cultural practices.

This wine delivers high acidity coupled with chalky tannins and unbelievable freshness.

extreme temperatures while developing a wine that is extremely aromatic, rich and luxurious.

6 ADRIANNA VINEYARD VINOS DE PARCELA SOUTH AMERICA S GRAND CRU VINEYARD Dr. Laura Catena research at the CATENA INSTITUTE OF WINE led her to farm each parcel in a way that would express its individual soil and flavor taking into consideration a new DEFINITION OF TERROIR that includes: Adrianna Vineyard. altitude and sunlight intensity. microbiome. plant selection. cultural practices. soil and climate Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec is named for the unique microorganisms found in the limestone layered soil in a small parcel of the vineyard. This wine delivers high acidity coupled with chalky tannins and unbelievable freshness. River Stones Malbec is named for the section of Adrianna Vineyard that was once a river but whose ground is filled with white stones, which provides optimal drainage and helps moderate extreme temperatures while developing a wine that is extremely aromatic, rich and luxurious. Fortuna Terrae means luck of the earth in Latin which best describes the Malbec parcel of Adrianna Vineyard from which this wine is made. Deep, loamy soils combined with the altitude help this wine deliver optimal acidity with delicate floral aromas. White Stones and White Bones Chardonnays: Chardonnay is an early ripening variety and is not usually planted alongside a late ripening variety like Malbec. However, this extremely cool climate location with intense high altitude sunlight becomes an ideal place to make mineral Chardonnay and Malbec, both with ageing capacity. Limestone and gravel Deep soil Large gravel

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WINES NICOLA CATENA Italian immigrant from Le Marche, founded Bodega y Viñedos Catena in 1902. Laura Catena s daughter is named Nicola after her great grandfather.

DV thought that Argentine Malbec could compete with the best of France. NICOLAS CATENA ZAPATA DV s son and Nicola Catena s grandson. - Born in small Mendoza village of less than 1,000 inhabitants.

Nicolas decided to stay in Argentina to help his father. - Years later he became a Doctor of Economics and studied at Columbia University in New York.

7 THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WINES NICOLA CATENA Italian immigrant from Le Marche, founded Bodega y Viñedos Catena in Laura Catena s daughter is named Nicola after her great grandfather. DV CATENA Nicola s son. Was famous as a master blender. He created a market for his TINTO BUENOS AIRES Malbec-Petit Verdot Bonarda blend in the city Parisian-styled bistros. DV thought that Argentine Malbec could compete with the best of France. NICOLAS CATENA ZAPATA DV s son and Nicola Catena s grandson. - Born in small Mendoza village of less than 1,000 inhabitants. - His mother, Angélica Zapata, the local school headmaster told him that he should aspire to earn the Noble prize in physics - When he was only 18, Nicolás mother died in a tragic car accident and Nicolas decided to stay in Argentina to help his father. - Years later he became a Doctor of Economics and studied at Columbia University in New York. - In the 1980 s he started the Malbec Revolution and changed the history of Argentine Wine by introducing high quality Argentine wines to the world. Nicolas was inspired by the JUDGEMENT OF PARIS to make an Argentine wine that could stand with the best of the world. He started the Malbec Revolution/Renaissance in the 1980 s by reintroducing the NOBLE MALBEC to the world with the CATENA MALBEC. The secret to his quality revolution was discovering the High Altitude terroirs in the Uco Valley, where concentrated, mineral and age-worthy wines such as the ADRIANNA MALBEC VINOS DE PARCELA and the NICOLAS CATENA ZAPATA could be made. DR. LAURA CATENA Nicolas Catena Zapata s oldest daughter. Biologist and Physician (graduate of Harvard and Stanford) Laura Catena never intended to work with her father until one day, she went to the New York Wine Experience and she realized that Argentina s wines were completely unknown and that she needed to help her father and her country. A self-avowed Francophile (she studied French from a young age and went to France with her father in the 1980 s and 90 s when he was discovering the Grand-Crus), helped form the partnership with Domaines Barons de Rothschild [Lafite] Bodegas Caro and has been studying Argentina s terroir ever since. Dr. Laura Catena is the founder of the CATENA INSTITUTE OF WINE in 1995 with the goal of using science to preserve NATURE and CULTURE and of ELEVATING ARGENTINE WINE.

8 DR. ADRIANNA CATENA Nicolas Catena Zapata s youngest daughter. She accompanied her father on his trips to Napa and went to the high altitude vineyard areas with her father when he was starting the MALBEC REVOLUTION (at that time Laura and their brother Ernesto were in college in the USA). Studied History at UC Berkeley and then received her PhD in history at Oxford University. In 2010 she formed a partnership with CATENA ZAPATA winemaker Alejandro Vigil, focused on Cabernet Franc blends and called EL ENEMIGO. El enemigo means the enemy and stands for the constant battle between each person and their own soul and mind, the internal enemy within all of us. In 2015 she conceived the label for MALBEC ARGENTINO, the first to tell the HISTORY of a wine variety on a label through the four women of MALBEC. ALEJANDRO VIGIL Chief winemaker, at CATENA ZAPATA since Alejandro came to CATENA from his position as Director of the Soil Studies within MENDOZA s main research institution, INTA. Along with Laura Catena, Alejandro has brought to CATENA a deep knowledge of terroir and an obsession with allowing each parcel and each vine to show its true and best personality. Laura likes to call Alejandro Catena s Picasso because he lives and understands the deep connection between the science and art of winemaking. Alejandro and his wife Maria own and run Mendoza s most popular WINE COUNTRY RESTAURANT, CASA VIGIL, where guests are taken through an exploration of the culinary history and art culture of Mendoza and Argentina.

Via dell Abbondanza Importatore esclusivo in Italia di CATENA ZAPATA

VA Via dell Abbondanza Importatore esclusivo in Italia di CATENA ZAPATA VIA DELL ABBONDANZA SRL Via L. Bozzo, 29/14 16032 Camogli (GE) P.IVA: 02249170990 Tel: 0185.723491 Cel: 334.3077933 - E-mail: viadellabbondaza@yahoo.it