A global tour with strategic stops

This itinerary reflects a clear commitment: to bring the voice of Argentine wine to forums where opinions are shaped and international reputation is built.

The journey began in Austria (August 26), continues in Barcelona (September 25), and reaches Tokyo (October 1, 2025), with new dates in preparation across other European countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Finland. Each destination has been strategically chosen:

• Austria: a nerve center for advanced wine education (Weinakademie in Rust).
• Barcelona: a Mediterranean capital that bridges Europe and Latin America.
• Tokyo: the epicenter of the premium Asian market and sophisticated consumers.

What happens in a masterclass?

It is not just a tasting, but a technical and cultural journey.

• Historical evolution: from European immigration to the rise of Malbec as a global icon.
  
• Key regions: Mendoza (with a focus on the Uco Valley), Salta (extreme viticulture at 3,000 m), Patagonia (cool-climate elegance), and the new emerging areas.
  
• Terroir factors: altitude, diurnal range, alluvial and calcareous soils, Andean irrigation.
  
• Flagship and rising varieties: Malbec, Torrontés, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, criollas, and blends.
  
• Contemporary winemaking trends: concrete eggs, amphorae, minimal intervention, and the evolving role of oak.
  
• Global positioning: connecting these aspects to Argentina’s reputation in sustainability, premiumization, and diversity.

Why is this relevant for the international wine community?

Because these masterclasses are designed as a space for knowledge transfer and sensory training.

• For those preparing for programs such as the WSET Diploma, they provide key technical insights for tackling both theory and tasting exams.
  

• For wine professionals, they offer an opportunity to compare styles, sharpen their palate, and understand Argentina’s diversity in relation to other world regions.

Ultimately, they contribute to giving Argentine wine culture greater visibility, respect, and a rightful place in the global wine conversation.

Austria:
an international classroom for Argentine wines

Weinakademie, a stage of excellence

The starting point of the international tour was Austria’s Weinakademie, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions for advanced wine education. There, WSET Diploma graduates, advanced-level students, wine educators, and industry professionals came together. A highly specialized audience that turned the day into a true exchange of knowledge.

Masterclass contents: science and culture in dialogue

In addition to technical tastings of Argentine wines, the session was a comprehensive immersion into Argentine viticulture from multiple dimensions:

• Climate and altitude: an analysis of how UV radiation, diurnal range, and high-altitude microclimates shape wines with marked acidity, defined tannins, and unique aromatic profiles.
  
• Geology and topography: an explanation of the influence of alluvial, calcareous, and pedogenic soils on vine nutrition, with concrete examples from the Uco Valley and other areas of Mendoza.
  
• Soil microbiology: a presentation of the growing scientific evidence linking microbial life in the terroir to enological expression, showing how bacteria, fungi, and rhizobacteria modulate vine health and wine complexity.
  
• Trends and styles: from the use of concrete eggs and amphorae to the pursuit of lower extraction and greater elegance, an overview of practices that are redefining the identity of Argentine wine.
  
• New extreme terroirs: highlighting projects in marginal high-altitude and cool-climate regions, expanding the viticultural map with unprecedented expressions.
  
• Historic and criolla varieties: revaluing Argentina’s genetic heritage, showcasing the potential of varieties such as Criolla Chica and other grapes of colonial origin.

An impact beyond the tasting

Positioning Argentine wine in the global conversation:

• How does a Malbec grown at 1,500 meters converse with a Pinot Noir from Burgundy?
  
• What can Argentina’s research on soil microbiomes contribute to European viticulture?
  
• What is the future of the criolla varieties in a market that values authenticity and diversity?

These reflections have shown that Argentina sparks both academic and professional interest in high-level international settings.

What the audience discovered: beyond Malbec

More than 40 participants from 11 different countries including WSET Diploma Holders, Master of Wine Students, wine buyers, etc.

One of the great values of the masterclass in Austria was hearing the participants’ reactions. Well-trained and demanding professionals agreed on several findings that are redefining the way they look at Argentina’s wine scene:

• Argentina is far more than Malbec. The session revealed a spectrum of styles and varieties that showcase a diversity capable of standing alongside any wine region in the world. Malbec remains the ambassador, but it is no longer the sole protagonist.
  

• A different Malbec: less oak, more freshness. From Salta at 3,000 m to the cool valleys of Patagonia, participants discovered a new identity—wines with bright acidity, refined tannins, and a style increasingly focused on elegance rather than sheer concentration.
  

• New regions on the map. Names like Los Chacayes, Paraje Altamira, La Carrera, San Pablo, Pampa el Cepillo, Cachi, and Sarmiento (Chubut) sparked curiosity and admiration. Emerging regions that confirm Argentina still has undiscovered territories to explore and express.
  

• Cabernet Franc: the next rising star. Many agreed this variety shows extraordinary potential in the country, producing wines with remarkable aromatic precision and freshness, perfectly complementing and diversifying Argentina’s premium offering.
  

• The role of the microbiome and genetic diversity. Debates on soil microbial life and the preservation of criolla varieties were especially valued. It became clear that the future of Argentine viticulture depends not only on its physical terroir, but also on its biological richness and genetic heritage.

In short, the audience left with the conviction that Argentina should no longer be seen solely as “the land of Malbec,” but as a living laboratory of innovation, diversity, and viticultural future.

A promising beginning

The event in Austria marked a strong start for the tour. It was an opportunity to test the narrative of Argentine wines before a demanding audience and, at the same time, a step forward in building bridges between Argentine viticulture and the global wine community.

The next stops on the tour are Barcelona, Tokyo, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, and beyond.

Luciano Wehrli – DipWSET – Weinakademiker
@Wehrliwines