Sensory characterization of Vitis Vinifera CV. Malbec wines from seven viticulture regions of Argentina

Fifty-six Malbec wines from seven Argentine viticulture regions (Valles Calchaquies, Mendoza del Este, Mendoza del Sur, Patagonia, Alto Rio Mendoza, Valle de Uco and San Juan), of the 2004 vintage, were evaluated by sensory descriptive analysis using a panel of 10 not-sighted assessors. Noncommercial samples were obtained using standardized conditions, not aging and produced with grapes corresponding to each viticulture region. Malbec wines from same regions exhibited particular characteristics. Valles Calchaquies wines had strong herbal, spicy, sweet pepper aromas and pungency in contrast to San Juan wines that showed fruity, strawberry, honey and citrus aromas. Mendoza del Este and Valle de Uco wines were associated with cooked fruit, raisin, floral and sweetness attributes as opposed to Mendoza del Sur and Patagonia wines which were characterized by sourness, bitterness, persistency and astringency, and not by aroma attributes. Alto Rio Mendoza wines were characterized by pungency, sweet pepper and bitterness.