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 📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]  📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat  🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat   🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time – cheers to you!   THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.