Argentina is the land of Malbec but it is also the land of White wine. And we’re not just talking about torontisthe symbolic white race. Conversely, local wineries have been sharpening their pulse with other varieties for some time, e.g Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Viognierbut not limited to. On this long road, Expanding the boundaries of wine, both at altitudes and at latitudes, in search of favorable soils and cooler regions, became a decisive factor.
“I feel that the present of white Argentines is there Continuous expansion. We are a country that has always been associated with almost exclusive consumption of red wine, but today producers are showing that the production of high-quality white wine is also possible. “I believe the search for cooler climates, earlier harvest points, and less invasive winemaking research has produced sharper whites, with identity, freshness and precision.” Andrea DonadioWho won the Best Sommelier Award in Argentina in 2022.
In the search for world-class white wines, Argentina has added medals, step by step – not hectic, but consistent – in some related competitions, such as this month’s competition. 2025 Chardonnay Masters World Championshipvery convenient to focus exclusively on this variety.
Although the global report indicated the dominance of the Southern Hemisphere, but with strong leadership from South Africa and Australia, the fact that must be highlighted is that the Southern Hemisphere Argentina It was mentioned as “Watch” producing countryreferring to its qualitative development and the establishment of new, more balanced and modern styles with a more precise use of wood.
The competition – organized by The Drinks Business and blindly judged by an international panel of wine masters, sommeliers and specialists – awards medals only to wines that exceed the highest standards. The categories are divided by styles and price ranges, allowing the true competitiveness in each segment to be measured.
Kaiken leads the Argentine performance
The highest point in the competition was on a side Kaikin Winerywith its mark Ultra Chardonnay 2023which won a gold medal in the Oaked Steel Chardonnay category in the range of 15 to 20 pounds (in the local market it is sold at Suggested price: $26,800).
It is a blend that combines grapes from Gutaliariin Valle d’Oco, and Vestalba(in Lujan de Cuyo). Before we get to the wine itself, let’s focus on what the competition judges particularly highlighted about the South African Chardonnay: having achieved “a balance between generous and refreshing, with ripe fruit, but with attractive citric acidity and, in relation to the oak and fruit, an effect that brings a toasted flavor without becoming too creamy.”
Caiken Chardonnay Ultra 2023 took gold
And that – without Kaiken’s winemaking team trying to copy anything – is one of the keys Ultra Chardonnay 2023: A very fair balance between elegance, healthy maturity and freshness. How does this translate in the cup? Firstly, in its wide range, which adds notes of apple fruit, floral strokes and a fair load of tropicality, supported by wood that provides its classic sweet flavours, but in a harmonious way – a good decision that only 35% of the wine has passed through new barrels. After that, it’s a bit uncomfortable – the 12-month period is key here – but there’s also a fluidity and acidity that, as the wine ages, cleanses the palate, leaving an elegant and not at all overburdened sensation. Delicious and drinkable.
When Juan Pablo Solis, winemaker of Bodega Kaiken, was asked what he would highlight from a sensory point of view for this award-winning Chardonnay wine, he replied: “This wine combines a lean part with that sophistication that the barrel provides, but at the same time it retains the freshness and acidity that Gualtalari gives us. The desired profile is an intermediary between a California Chardonnay – with more wood and flavor – and something more refreshing. It is there, but without ceasing to be a wine.” “Elegant and fruity.”
What does it mean for Argentina if Chardonnay wins the gold medal? He adds: “Having a wine awarded with gold indicates the rapid development that Argentina has experienced in terms of quality in recent years. We have developed a lot in the production of white wines, along with technology, understanding the region, and knowing the soil and climate better. It does not surprise me that we received gold because of the work that has been done, and reflects the good moment that Argentina is going through in terms of wine quality.”
What other good Chardonnay wines can you try?
In the competition 2025 Chardonnay Masters World Championshipmost recognition is focused on Silver medalsespecially in the high-mid ranges. One of the most prominent things we advise you to try is iProfessionalAnd we cannot fail to mention the Luigi Busca Veloce Chardonnay 2023, which prevailed in a very difficult segment of wines between 70 and 100 pounds.
Winery led by wine science Pablo Cuneo, Introduced into the community exactly one year ago, this white is rated as one of the best new Chardonnays from Argentina.
Recently, the winery has been delving more deeply into the study and perfection of Cabernet Sauvignon, but Luigi Busca has always produced interesting white wines (just check out their Riesling). In this case, They exploded with a world-class goal: The team searched for a Burgundy-style white driven by a certain degree of austerity and natural acidity, which is why they went to Gualtalary and El Peral. The result is a wine with an elegant palette dominated by white fruits and flowers and a touch of wood that suits it well and does not overpower its present. It’s not dense or sucrose, but there’s a subtle step and a very light creaminess, offset by a rich, almost crunchy acidity, which reveals the different harvest points to get the best of both worlds: roundness and liveliness.
Luigi Busca Veloce Chardonnay
In the £10-£15 range, where there is a very strong fight for which wine has the best quality-price ratio, two Chardonnay vintages from Andes Terraces (2024 and 2025)Whether with Two silver medals.
The winery has followed an interesting path in recent years, seeking higher terroirs, removing the fat from the wine a bit and giving it a more pronounced, but always, always integrated acidity. And this white (we’ll focus on the 2024 fragrance) is no exception: it comes from different vineyards in Gualtallary and El Peral, in the Valle de Uco, and sparkles with plenty of hard stone fruit and a citrus heart, rounded out with a subtle tropical touch. In the mouth, it has a barely creamy texture, with collected freshness and excellent fluidity.
Special mention for the bronze medal he won Trapici Costa and Bamba Chardonnay 2022which was born in an unconventional but excellent white wine region, such as Chapadmalal. Meters from the sea, winemaker Ezequiel Ortejo Producing wines with an oceanic influence, such as this white wine is far from a white fruit bomb and overly tropical. Here there is Austeritywhite fruit and very acidic profile. It is a delicate white and should be enjoyed not too cold. In the mouth it is long, sharp, with rich acidity, barely any bite and a really salty texture. If wine were a landscape, this white takes you to feel the sea mist. Different and unique generosity.
Trabecchi Costa and Bamba Chardonnay
Argentina is a country of Malbec and also a country of white wine
In conversation with iProfessional, Donadio Reflects on the present of Chardonnay and how this variety has evolved radically in the last two decades in Argentina: “In twenty years, national Chardonnay has evolved significantly. From the more mature, woodsy style of the 2000s, we have moved to more refined and lively wines that focus on maintaining the natural acidity that acts as a backbone. I think diversity is starting to be treated as it deserves. “Selection of plots, thoughtful use of oak, fermentation in alternative containers, and early harvesting have allowed us to demonstrate our own identity, with releases that today combine elegance, texture and a more faithful reading of the terroir.”
When asked if there was a Chardonnay wine produced in the country that was comparable to world wines, he did not hesitate to answer: “Yes, without a doubt, especially those Chardonnays that are so closely linked to their place of origin.. Argentina places emphasis so that local consumers begin to determine the origin and style of the wine. “I think this same path is what needs to be communicated abroad, since the goal of Patagonia or Cuyo is not the same, and even within those regions we can identify differences between different regions.”
Andrea Donadio, bartender
When referring to the terroirs or microterroirs that light up the world today Best eggs in argentinalists: “In the Uco Valley, areas such as Gualtalary, Paraje Altamira or San Pablo. And also in the southern regions of Patagonia, such as Trevelin and Sarmiento.”
Some winemakers say that the best red wines in history are being produced today. When winemaker Juan Pablo Solis was asked if this could be replicated in the world of white wine, he agreed without hesitation: “Argentina, in terms of wine, regardless of whether it is red or white, He is in a great moment of maturity“We apply knowledge, we understand places and harvest points better, and this is reflected in the quality.”
“Today, there are great Argentine wines that shine all over the world. They are the result of everything we have learned in these years: great winemakers, greater knowledge of the land, soil and climate, technological and process improvements. Added to this, the areas in which we work are extraordinary and provide the quality that our wines demonstrate.”