Domaine Bousquet celebrates ROC™ status with UK launch of natural wine

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Argentina’s leading exporter of organic wines, Domaine Bousquet, has launched its first wine with Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC™) into the UK: Virgen Vineyards Organic Malbec 2022.

The Gualtallary Valley based estate became only the fourth winery worldwide – the first outside the US – to achieve ROC™ status in 2022.

Co-owner & CEO, Anne Bousquet commented: “We were delighted to achieve ROC™ in 2022, and now the launch of our first wine with this status gives us the opportunity to communicate to the consumer our regenerative organic approach, our commitment to combatting climate change and our 360˚ sustainability ethos. Hopefully, we can also encourage other wineries around the world to work towards gaining ROC™ along the way.”

Virgen Vineyards is also a natural wine, with no sulphites added. To protect against faulty flavours associated with harmful bacteria and oxidation, the winemaking has to be exceptionally clean and precise with wines stored at a cooler temperature post-fermentation. The wine is wrapped in thermal blankets before shipping to create an air chamber between the container and the wine which minimises contact with fluctuating temperatures. Storage is the same as with a normal bottle of wine (a cool, dark space), but wines may be more sensitive to high and low temperatures.

Bousquet added: “Making a sulphite-free natural wine is a challenge but also a natural progression for us, having worked organically since the beginning at Domaine Bousquet. We have already had success with Virgen Vineyards in the US and can see the market for natural wines growing significantly, with consumers – particularly those unable to tolerate sulphites – actively seeking them out, especially from brands with a track record of organic, sustainability and quality.”

Virgen Vineyards Organic Malbec 2022 is made from grapes grown in Tupungato, in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, in the foothills of the Andes. It has an RRP of £14 and is available to independent wine merchants via UK agent, Vintage Roots. Domaine Bousquet Virgen Malbec No Sulphur from Vintage Roots www.domainebousquet.com | @domainebousquetarg