Almost 500 years after its arrival, Criolla Chica has been recognised by Argentina’s National Viticulture Institute (INV) as a red grape variety suitable for high quality wines.
Criolla Chica, also known as Listán Prieto, was one of the first Vitis vinifera grape varieties to arrive in Argentina and South America in the 16th century. It has been planted around the country since then, playing a significant role in history as one of the main grape varieties for 300 years and the father of Torrontès among other native offspring. However, until last week, it has not been recognised by the INV as a grape variety of quality — limiting what producers can and cannot put on the label, and using designations typically reserved for table wines. For example, only wines that are declared as ‘vinos de calidad’ by the INV are allowed to be labelled with GI appellations of origin. “It is really important to be included on this list of approved grape varieties, because we can now use the Geographical Indications (GIs),” explains winemaker Sebastian Zuccardi, who has been at the forefront of the revival of high quality Criolla Chica wines with his boutique winery Cara Sur in Barreal GI in San Juan’s Calingasta Valley. The use of GIs has become increasingly important within Argentina’s movement towards highlighting its different terroirs and terrains. Another key change that the inclusion of Criolla Chica will make is enabling the variety to be bottled as a red wine. Previously it was considered a
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Wine
