New Geographical Indication for Chubut. Viticulture. Comment on Resolution 9/2023 issued by the NIV.
By Amalia Prieto and Antonella Balbo
In the heart of Patagonia near the border with Santa Cruz, in the province of Chubut along the shores of the Lake Musters, lies 51 hectares of vineyards belonging to Otronia Winery. These vineyards have now become a new Geographical Indication (GI) for the Argentine wine industry, known as Sarmiento.
The winery officially requested the recognition of this GI in March this year, and the National Institute of Viticulture (NIV) has recently approved it.
By means of Resolution No. 9/2023, published in the Official Gazette on May 29, 2023, the NIV recognized the requested area under the name SARMIENTO as an Argentine GI, belonging to the Sarmiento Department in the Province of Chubut.
The Resolution, signed by the President of the NIV, acknowledges the protected and registered status of the requested area, understanding that it is composed of terroirs with distinctive qualities suitable for the production of high-quality wines.
It is worth noting that validation as a GI by the NIV confirms that a product originates from a delimited region, place, or geographical area of production within the Argentine territory, no larger than the surface of its province.
The aforementioned resolution also clarifies that compliance with the provisions established in Law 25.163[1] regarding general standards for the designation and presentation of wines and vinous spirits of Argentine origin is required.
Lastly, we highlight that this is in fact significant news for both the Argentine wine industry and the Patagonia region of our country. This recognition places Chubut, and its town of Sarmiento, on the international viticulture map of wine production.
[1] LAW ON WINES AND SPIRITUOUS BEVERAGES OF VINIC ORIGIN
