Elegant. Exuberant. Friendly. Seductive. Malbec has many personalities, all of which shine in the wines from the variety’s heartland — Argentina. Through the wines of Trivento, discover this multifaceted grape and all its moods.
The Origins of Malbec
Malbec arrived in Argentina in the mid-19th century, brought over by the prestigious French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget (also known as Miguel Amado Pouget). He went on to create the Quinta Normal de Agricultura in Mendoza in 1853, which became not only the most important nursery in the region but the first educational institution for agriculture in western Argentina.
A mere decade later, many of the vineyards in France were felled by phylloxera yet Malbec continued to thrive in the Southern Hemisphere. Over time, Argentina became a world reference for elegant and complex iterations of the grape.
Today, more than 80 percent of the world’s Malbec is produced in Argentina, and 85 percent of those vines reside in Mendoza, making the region the international capital of Malbec.
A Malbec For Every Occasion
Mendoza’s diverse terroir draws out the various aspects of this intriguing grape and creates wines for different moments and moods. Located at the foothills of the Andes Mountains, Mendoza is known for its high altitudes, small amounts of rainfall, and low-fertility soils, which when combined, lead to expressive wines. But for Trivento—a name that nods to the three dominating winds of Mendoza—it is not just the place, it is the people who take Malbec to new heights.
At a traditional “asado” — an Argentine barbecue — Malbec accompanies the joy and camaraderie that comes from spending time with family and friends. The Trivento Reserve Malbec is an ideal match not only for the convivial setting but for the grilled meats and vegetables that adorn the plate. Ripe plums, raspberries, and notes of vanilla commingle with sweet tannins, all of which come together in a velvety finish. Awarded 91 points by James Suckling and Tim Atkin, Trivento’s Reserve Malbec sets the stage for a fun, festive night.
As night falls, stars dot the sky, and the party remains in full swing, it’s the perfect time to bring out a bottle of Maximum Red Blend, crafted by and named for winemaker Maximiliano Ortiz. A blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine’s fresh and easy-drinking style will please all revelers.
If the evening calls for a more formal affair, it’s the Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec—the flagship wine of the estate—you’ll want to grace the table. Winemakers Germán Di Cesare and Magdalena Viani source grapes from various sites throughout Luján de Cuyo, where fruit retains great freshness and acidity due to the high altitude and large diurnal swings. The Golden Reserve Malbec spends 12 months aging in both new French oak and foudres, which provide sumptuous notes of chocolate, smoke, and vanilla to the wine. These rich flavors weave throughout the bright cherry and strawberry notes. With fleshy tannins and a long finish, it is a wine that has earned much acclaim; it received a platinum medal and a 97-point rating at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
The Positive Impact of Trivento
Wine reaches more than just the glass: wine growing and winemaking have large social, environmental, and economic impacts on both a local as well as a global scale. For more than a decade, Trivento has implemented initiatives that foster positive change. The winery is one of the largest in Argentina to run on solar power and it was the first Argentine winery to align with the rigorous United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Recently, winemaker Maximiliano Ortiz created the Trivento Reserve White Malbec, a special bottling whose proceeds benefit the FonBec Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit which aims to provide educational opportunities to children in low-income communities. A unique white wine made from the famous red variety, grapes are hand-picked, crushed, and pressed immediately to retain the crystalline color.
Taste Beyond Time and Space: The Virtual Tour
Trivento continues to innovate beyond the winery; in response to the global pandemic, the estate developed a digital tool to bring the world of Trivento into people’s homes. Through virtual tours of the vineyards, winery, and art gallery, Trivento can now share its soul with wine drinkers all across the world.
Last Updated: May 8, 2023
