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march 2010 / the tasting panel / 37 W inemaker Gustavo Caligiore and his family began the Caligiore label in 2001. With a fierce dedication to organic production from grape to wine, they have captured the essence of Argentina's Men- doza region. Gustavo talked with THE TASTING PANEL about the land, the organic process and the fundamental idea of Caligiore, 100% organic wines, from grapes grown in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza. "Organic viticulture helps preserve the character of old vines in Mendoza," says Caligiore. "Organic agriculture follows many goals, but environmental sustainability is key. By preserving the fertility of soils, water and air quality through natural equilibriums and biodiversity, the plants are well-nourished and you have a healthy ecosystem." Caligiore stresses that another goal of organic agriculture is social respon- sibility. "Organic farming requires a great deal of human labor, managing land and crops in a way that is respectful of ancient regional practices. There are no technological packages that fit organic farming; the dedicated organic farmers learn to use their labor and skills as 'shepherds' of the land. Every- day monitoring of the vineyards, reading plant needs and so forth allow an organic farmer to preserve equilibrium in their microclimates." A third goal is to promote safety and the production of nutritious food. "Not using chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides," Caligiore explains, "helps create an environment without contamination. We find that a nourished, or- ganically grown plant produces more tasty and nutritious food." The vines at Caligiore grow in a balanced ecosystem, together with many other species of insects and plants. The soils are permanently covered, allow- ing small microorganisms to mobilize nutrients and cause the decomposition of organic matter. homeland, she became assistant winemaker for Bodega Norton, working for the best winemakers in Argentina and also traveling to wine regions in Germany, Italy, France and Spain. Gaining global hands-on knowledge eventually led Jimena Lopez to the role of winemaker at Mendoza Vineyards. "A new challenge," she admits, "but with the same objective: to make great Argentinean wines!" Imported by Prestige Wine Group The 2008 Mendoza Vineyards Malbec is a savory, ripe and earthy red. This limited edition wine comes from 80-year old vines. "Our wines reflect the terroir of Argentina," notes Jimena Lopez. "The reds have strong personalities, excellent structure, good intensity and well-defined bouquets." She perceives a growing rec- ognition for Mendoza Vineyards. "Our Malbec and Torrontés have obtained the most emblematic positions. There is still a long way to go; we need to keep opening doors and continue to increase quality. A great Argentinean wine- maker once said, 'The best harvest is the next one.'" cover Story SPOTLIGHT ON: gustavo caligiore, caligiore Wines Winemaker Gustavo Caligiore with importer Christopher J. Cribb of Marquee Selections.