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Archive for September, 2009

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Laura Yofe’s Insider’s Mendoza: our best kept secret

Friday, September 4th, 2009

We would like to welcome Laura Yofe to The Vines of Mendoza blog. She operates Southernmost, a high end “tailor-made” travel agency that offers the best of Argentina to visitors. Laura has the bird’s eye view of the tourism industry here in Mendoza, so check back frequently for her insights, stories and tips to navigate this burgeoning wine region that she will be sharing with The Vines. (And by the way my favorite ice cream, or helado, is mint chip and tramontana, just in case you were wondering)

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Insider’s Mendoza: our best kept secret- helados

By Laura Yofe

What would you do on any given afternoon in Mendoza? Yes, wine tasting is one of the options, but if you want to try the option most of us locals would choose keep on reading. Believe it or not, ice creams can be more popular than wines among those of us who live in Mendoza, you know what they say “the shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot”.

But just try to picture this: a mouthful of dulce de leche and chocolate chips. Or the flavors of almonds mixed up in a creamy dark chocolate. Or the velvet smoothness of blueberries mousse. And why not the fresh acidity of lemon cream… all that lingering in your palate. Who can resist that festival of flavors and textures?

If you really want to get the feeling of Mendoza don’t dare miss our ice creams. There are different ways of approaching the experience: 1) stop at an Ice Cream store for a “barquillo”, take a sit, enjoy your ice cream and see people go by, 2) order it for dessert at the restaurant or 3) after a long day visiting wineries, take a bath, relax and order a kilo of mixed tastes (most of the ice cream stores have delivery services), that is always my favorite way of closing a day!
Must-see / Must-do:
•    Down-town Mendoza: Soppelsa Ice Creams at Belgrano and Emilio Civit avenue
•    Godoy Cruz area: Freddo Ice Creams at Palmares
•    La Puntilla area: Alfredo Ice Cremas on Ugarte Street
•    Chacras de Coria: Helados de Chacras in the corner of Darragueira and Periodistas Mendocinos
•    Always go for Dulce de leche granizado!
•    Blueberries mousse at Freddo: yummy!
•    Crema Florencia at Alfredo is a must!
•    The best lemon mousse can always be found at Soppelsa!

So now you know, include ice-creams in your next to-do list when visiting us. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Posted in Experiences, Life in Mendoza | 1 Comment »


#5 Month of Malbec- Sin Fin Malbec 2005

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

A newer winery to the Mendoza winemaking scene, Bodega Sin Fin is creating fantastic wines, and this malbec is no exception- at $18 dollars its a steal!

The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Notes:
The deep ruby red color of a brick wall after rainfall, Sin Fin Malbec is concentrated and alluring. Mature fruit and boisterous tannins are balanced by a perfectly integrated acidity; the hints of leathery earth round out the mouth to create a truly enjoyable blend of flavors.

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Posted in Tasting Notes | No Comments »


PODCAST | The Argentine Wine Market and Export Trends

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

“The Argentine Wine Market and Export Trends“ conference call was hosted on September 1, 2009 by The Vines of Mendoza co-founders Michael Evans and Pablo Gimenez Riili and features winemaker guests  Barbara Insel - a leading speaker on the business of wine in the US, Tony Correia - an interntional vineyard valuation expert, Laura Catena – owner of the highly esteemed, vineyard specific Luca Wines in Mendoza, Argentina and Santiago Achaval - one of Argentina’s leading winemakers.


> Download the MP3 file for your iPod / iTunes here.
(right click link then download / save as)

Posted in In the News, Podcasts, Private Vineyard Estates, Vines Events | No Comments »


TASTING WINES IN PATAGONIA; High Valley of Río Negro

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Along my wine trip to Patagonia, I tasted remarkable wines!

The first winery I visited was Bodega Humberto Canale, the oldest winery in the region with a hundred years of history. It was the only winery of the region that could overcome the economic difficulties of the country and the industry. This winery has always been determined to accomplish their goals driven by their passion and commitment with the community.

Over one million bottles of wine are produced by winemaker Horacio Bibiloni, a Mendocinean winemaker that has fallen in love with the wine potential of the area.The winery also counts with Susana Balbo and Pedro Marchevsky of Mendoza’s Dominio del Plata Winery, as winemaking and viticulture consultants respectively. Of all the wines Horacio and Juan gave me to taste, I especially enjoy Marcus Gran Reserva Merlot 2005.

After this welcoming wine tour, I headed towards Bodega Chacra, a winery that is specialized in Pinot Noir. Patagonia is gaining reputation because of this grape and I have to say that once you taste these Pinots you will agree with many experts that say Chacra makes the best Pinot Noir from South America.

Chacra is owned by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, whose family owns Sassicaia, along with two silent partners. Piero arrived to Argentina guided by Hans Vinding-Diers, proprietor and winemaker of Noemia wines, and amazed by the quality of wines Hans was being able to make, decided to start his own winery.

Fortunatelly, Piero, being helped by Hans, was able to buy old vines of Pinot Noir, really scarce in the area. Chacra’s old vineyards are farmed biodynamically. Grapes from the 1932 vineyard are used to make their top wine Chacra 32, those coming from the 1955 vineyard are used to make Chacra 55. Their entry level Pinot is called Barda and they have recently made a Merlot named Mainqué.I was able to taste all these awe-inspiring pinots. My favorite… Chacra 55 2008! It has all the elegance, flavor explosion and long finish you would expect from the best world-class Pinot Noirs.

Bodega Noemía located at Valle Azul was the third and last winery I visited in Rio Negro. This winery is owned by Danish winemaker Hans Vinding-Diers and Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano, who is maybe better known as the owner of the Brunello di Montalcino producer Argiano.

Helped by Oscar Ferrari, an Argentine winemaker who is currently the general manager in this winery, Hans was able to buy an old vineyard of Malbec that has given birth to one of the best Malbecs from Argentina.

I definitely fell in love of this tiny winery! Vineyards are also farmed biodynamically and at the winery absolutely everything is done by hand! I tasted A Lisa 2008, their entry level Malbec, J. Alberto 2008 Malbec and their icon wine Noemia Malbec 2007. All of them are worth to taste… they are full, big, juicy and round, with tons of black fruit and spice. Noemia is a perfect exponent of the immense quality Malbecs from Argentina can have.

Hope you enjoyed this virtual trip to Patagonia… Soon I will tell you more about wineries from Neuquén!

Posted in Behind the bottle | No Comments »


#4 Month of Malbec- Cavas de Crianza 2006

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Cavas-de-CrianzaMalbec naturally lends itself to food pairing, especially with beef as it is the national treasure of Argentina, along with the hallowed tradition of asado.

However, the pork in Argentina is absolutely stunning- succulent, flavorful, and tender.

So try out the Cavas de Crianza Malbec with a tasty pork loin, it is the perfect complement.

Pork Loin Stuffed with Wild Plums and Rosemary

From Chef Alice Waters Serves 6

.pork

  • 1 1/2pounds wild plums or Santa Rosa plums
  • 2 shallots
  • 1 bunch rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 2 tablespoons sweet wine (Beaumes-de-Venise and port are good choices)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 lemons
  • 1 standing 6-rib pork loin, chine bone removed (more…)

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SEPTEMBER MONTH OF MALBEC | 25% OFF all malbecs

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

To kick off our Month of Malbec (25% off all the Malbecs in The Vines online shop- we have 32!) I would like to celebrate with several of my favorites- not just the Malbecs, but the bodegas. You should definitely visit them (Pulenta Estate, Bodega Bressia, and Monteviejo) on your next visit to Mendoza.

September Month of Malbec

Maybe I should preface this by explaining my personal wine preferences. I love elegant wines with a lot of personality, and character-  filled with fruit yet touching my esoteric senses with layers of chocolate, earth, spice, and acid. You should stock up on these favorites, they are sure to pair well with all of your fall, comfort foods. Or just have a nice glass to wind down your night- it’s typically what I do.

Salud!

La Flor Malbec- from Pulenta Estate, this is always a crowd pleasing wine, straighforward, balanced and full of rich, juicy Malbec fruit

Tasting Notes: This is it. If it is your very last wine – or your very first – you could do no better. A beautifully balanced burst of ripe cherries, blackberries and cranberries, dusted with dark cocoa, and sprinkled with vanilla and spice (and everything else nice), with simmering smoky fireplace nuances. This is a va-va-voom dark fruit bomb dressed in elegant clothing with a full body that just doesn’t stop. Grilled pork tenderloin with a dark plum sauce will pair perfectly.

Monteagrelo Malbec- Walter Bressia is a master at blends and this is his first 100% Malbec. However he couldn’t help himself so this is a blend from 3 different regions- Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo, and the Uco Valley.

Tasting Notes: This is a rich, showstopping Malbec masterpiece with intense fruit and spice and an opaque violet color. One sniff of the heavenly collection of baking spices, coffee, and cherry pie in the bouquet is all it will take for you to fall head over heels. On the tongue, it bursts with mature fruit and elegantly structured, well-integrated tannins.

Lindaflor- Made by Monteviejo in The Uco Valley near at our Private Vineyard Estates, this wine for me is pure elegance. I never get tired of drinking it and everyone I share it with falls in love as well.

Tasting Notes: This wine is luminous. Deep magenta with an inky texture, it is at once elegant, beautiful, and enigmatic. Aromas of cinnamon spice and white and black pepper are laced with scents of chocolate and delicate white flowers. They are joined on the palate by flavors of tobacco, dates, cherries and blackberries – pure Malbec fruit. Savor, savor, this bonbon of a wine.

Posted in In the News, Mendoza Bodegas | No Comments »


The Vines of Mendoza in Spain!

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Doffy Doyle Crane, The Vines COO, has been on a world tour for the past few weeks and was able to catch up with one of our Private Vineyard Estate owners, Cristina and Xavier Zabaleta in their home based in San Sebastian, Spain.

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They held a small soiree to show off their vineyard property located in Vista flores,  Uco Valley, Mendoza Argentina to friends and family. To make the evening even more enjoyable they served some of their favorite Malbecs from Argentina.

Here in Mendoza we are busily planning for Cosecha 2010 when we will have many of our owners visiting to make their first vintage from their Private Vineayard Estates. We look forward to seeing the Zabaleta’s soon and sharing pictures of their experience here in Mendoza!

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