Ep 220: Altitude & Attitude – Thibaut Delmotte on Bodega Colomé, Torrontes & Argentina’s Highest Vineyards (Part 1)

Welcome back, wine friends! Today we’re heading high into the Andes – literally – to explore one of the most breathtaking wine regions on Earth: the Calchaquí Valley in Salta, Argentina, home to Bodega Colomé, the oldest continuously operating winery in the country, with roots dating back to 1831.

Joining us is Thibaut Delmotte, winemaker at Colomé, to talk about crafting wines at extreme altitudes – some vineyards reaching over 3,000 meters above sea level! We explore how altitude affects grape growing, the unique challenges and benefits of Salta’s high desert terroir, and how Colomé balances tradition with innovation.

From Malbec and Torrontés to the remarkable Altura Máxima Vineyard at 3,111 meters, this episode is a deep dive into high-altitude winemaking, biodynamic farming, and what it means to make expressive wines in one of the world’s most remote regions.

This is a must-listen for anyone curious about South American wine, sustainable viticulture, and the magic of mountain-grown grapes.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

01:02 – Meet Thibaut Delmotte, winemaker at Colomé

02:48 – Colomé’s founding in 1831 and its early vineyard history

05:34 – Commitment to ancestral and sustainable winemaking practices

06.31 - 170 year old old vines

08:18 – Fighting phylloxera and vineyard management in the region

10:50 – Rootstock decisions and adapting to terroir

13:25 – Harvesting: selecting plants one by one

15:48 – Distinct terroirs: different altitudes and soils

18:16 – Short-cycle varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Malbec

21:01 – Bird protection in Pinot vineyards

23:37 – Achieving balance between ripeness and typicity

26:13 – The role of recording and analysis in the vineyard

28:55 – Challenges of low rainfall in the region

31:32 – The uniqueness of the Calchaquí terroir

32.45 - The Queen grape of Salta: Torrontes

33.13 - Discussing Criolla Varieties, which you can listen to deeper in Ep 210 with Master or wine Amanda Barnes

34:25 – Saline soils of the region and Torrontes’ resistance

36:25 – Sunlight and temperature balance to preserve aromas

39:09 – Torontés characteristics: persistence and great acidity

41:25 – Evolution of acidity in the wines

43:55 – Vineyard block management and planning

41:36 – Tasting the Bodega Colomé Estate Torrontés £14.60-£16.50 Vinvm, Hik Wine Merchants

44.32 - Perfect food pairings for this wine

48:12 – The three different varieties of Torrontes

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Until next time – cheers to you!

 

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