Zuccardi Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay

Tasting note Zuccardi Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay

The nose reveals notes of peach, citrus, lemon, and orange, complemented by subtle floral and mineral tones. On the palate, the wine is lively, fresh, and beautifully balanced. The high altitude of the vineyards provides crisp acidity, while maturation on fine lees gives the wine extra texture and roundness. There is sufficient structure present, but the wine remains primarily elegant and refreshing.

Food Pairing

Due to its fresh acidity and elegant structure, this Chardonnay is very versatile. It pairs excellently with fish, shellfish, sushi, and salads. It also complements grilled chicken, light pastas, and dishes with a creamy sauce. A combination with grilled salmon or ceviche is particularly lovely: the wine's fresh acidity aligns well with the freshness of the dish, while the slight creaminess of the Chardonnay provides sufficient body.

Other information

The name Mountain Vineyard refers to the location of the vineyards in the foothills of the Andes. Zuccardi focuses strongly on making so-called mountain wines: wines in which altitude, climate, soil, and vineyard location are clearly reflected.

The Chardonnay is pressed directly and fermented with indigenous yeasts at a controlled low temperature. The wine is then left to rest on the lees (fine yeast cells) for some time. This gives the wine more texture and complexity without making it heavy.

At the end of the 19th century, the Zuccardi family emigrated from Italy to Argentina. In the 1950s, Alberto V. Zuccardi founded an irrigation company, a logical step in a country where agriculture is hardly possible without irrigation. To demonstrate the success of his system, he planted his first vineyards in Maipú in 1963, followed by an expansion near Mendoza.

Since 1985, his son José Alberto Zuccardi has led the family business, which is now world-renowned for its quality. Zuccardi has been named Best Vineyard in South America multiple times, and their wines consistently achieve top ratings, with some even reaching 100 Parker points.

Wine scores/awards

• 2024 – 92 points James Suckling
• 2023 – 92 points James Suckling

Fun fact

The word Mountain on the label is not just a marketing term. Zuccardi's vineyards are located in the foothills of the Andes at high altitudes. The combination of intense sun during the day and significant cooling at night helps the Chardonnay retain its fresh acidity and aromatic character. As a result, you get a Chardonnay that clearly comes from a warm wine region, but can come across as surprisingly fresh.