Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Gen del Alma is a new project started in 2012 by Gerardo Michelini, of Zorzal, and his wife and winemaker Andrea Mufatto. Gerardo and Andrea have planted vines on their individually owned property adjacent to the Zorzal winery. Their focal concept is to showcase the purity, minerality, and freshness of Gualtallary terroir. Their minimal vinification process allows the fruit to shine on its own. They use concrete eggs, used barrique, and in some cases carbonic maceration in the winery. They currently produce 3 wines: a Bordeaux blend, a MAL/PN partial carbonic, and a CF/ CS/PN blend. The wines have received high praise from the Wine Advocate and Decanter magazine, and we believe GdA is another example of the Michelinis taking Argentine wine to a new level.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.