Wine Details
Ratings
40- - 36- - 32- - 28- - 24- - 20- - 16- - 12- - 8- - 4- - 0- |
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Producer
Familia Schroeder is located in the exciting new winemaking area of San Patricio del Chanar in Patagonia, which has been carved out of the desert in this dry and windy region in Argentina. A family producer with European roots, Schroeder has 110 hectares of vineyards to the northwest of Neuquen province, growing varieties such as Malbec, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The winery, which opened in October 2002, is located on the hillside of a plateau and has a vertical design with five levels that rise to 22 metres, allowing for gravity winemaking. French and American oak are used for ageing some of the wide range of Schroeder wines, which include the brands Alpataco and Saurus. The name of the latter was inspired by the discovery during the vineyard construction of the remains of a Titanosaur, a dinosaur that roamed the area millions of years ago and one of the largest species ever known. The discovery alone was important enough to deserve a special cellar at the estate to exhibit the fossils, which visitors can view.
Familia Schroeder’s premium wines are marketed just under their name, while a selection of fizzes is also made, including a sparkling Torrontes called Deseado.
Grape varieties
Chardonnay
Region
Patagonia and its two sub regions Neuqúen and Rio Negro form the most southerly Argentinian wine region. The region is the coolest in Argentina with some influence from the Atlantic. The cool climate, chalky soil and a long warm ripening season make it ideal for producing good quality white wines made from Torrontés and Sémillon, as well as base wines for sparkling wine.
Style
These wines are more distinctive in style than the mainstream grape varieties and usually provoke a love/hate response! Worth testing out on your tastebuds is a Gewurztraminer for a luscious & fragrant wine with lychee, lime and apricot aromas. This wine is wonderful with Chinese or Thai food. Discover the full on fruitiness of the fabulous Riesling grape which develops petrol aromas as it ages.
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