The SOMM Journal

June / July 2017

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6 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } JUNE/JULY 2017 first press by Roger Morris FOUNDED IN MENDOZA, ARGENTINA, in 1883, Trapiche has grown over the 134 vintages that have been harvested since then to become the country's largest and most-awarded winery. Today, Trapiche (pronounced tra-PEE-chay) makes a variety of wines with grapes sourced from almost 2,500 acres of vines planted in prime loca - tions across this stunningly beautiful region located in the shadows of the majestic Andes Mountains. And, beginning this year, The Wine Group, Inc. (TWG), which imports Trapiche into the United States, is honoring the winery's history with the introduction of two wines in Trapiche's "Medalla" series—the Trapiche 2013 Medalla Malbec and the Trapiche 2013 Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon. Medalla was first launched in Argentina in 1983 in recognition of Trapiche's 100th anniversary and was among the first premium wines to be marketed in South America's now famous wine country. "We launched Medalla into a handful of markets in January 2017 to get a read on how it would be received," says Matt Daley, Trapiche Brand Manager for TWG. "The enthusiasm for Medalla's quality at its price has been tremendous. That led us to expand the rollout into additional markets as quickly as possible." The suggested retail price for Medalla Malbec and Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon is $25, a niche that makes them attractive for both restaurant wine lists and for retail store sales. Medalla bottles are easily recognized by their distinctive bronze medallions, cre - ated by the Argentina artist Victor Grippo, depicting the interconnectedness between the grapes and their various terroirs and, further, between the wines and their enjoy- ment by consumers. "The quality of Medalla is similar to that of our Trapiche 'Terroir Series,' which is a collection of single-vineyard wines, that sell at a higher price point," says Daniel Pi, Head Winemaker for Trapiche, "but the Medalla wines are from different parcels from within those same vineyards." A native Argentinian with over 30 harvests to his name, Pi has extensive knowledge of the wide variety of altitudes and soil types that exist throughout the large Mendoza region. When the first Medalla was made in 1983, it was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, A native Argentinian with over 30 harvests to his name, Trapiche Head Winemaker Daniel Pi has extensive knowledge of the wide variety of altitudes and soil types that exist throughout the large Mendoza region. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAPICHE Trapiche makes a variety of wines with grapes sourced from almost 2,500 acres of vines planted in prime locations across this stunningly beautiful Mendoza region located in the shadows of the majestic Andes Mountains.

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