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Archive for 2010

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Fiesta Primavera with Bodega Alta Vista

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Spring is officially here in Mendoza! Bodega Alta Vista has kicked off the season with La Fiesta Primavera! They Invited guests to indulge in a warm spring night set at the spectacular winery in Lujan de Cuyo and imbibe their classic and luxurious wines paired with delicious canapes!

I highly recommend hosting your own Primavera party, all you need are their delicious wines and you can add in a fairy costume as well. Don’t worry, Halloween is just around the corner, you can use it as an excuse to pretend you are the Primavera Fairy!

Here are the rundown of wines that you will need to stock up on and if you are planning on visiting Mendoza, make sure to visit the winery.


Pinot Noir
 Chardonnay Sparkling Wine
Method :  Méthode Champenoise
Vinification and ageing : vinified according to a manufacturing method inherited from our French Champagne tradition – a second fermentation in the bottle at a controlled temperature of 13ºC, followed by aging on the lees for 18 months.
Tasting note : attractive salmon-pink color and noticeable brightness. Restless and persistent bubbles. Aromas with a distinct fruity personality in which red fruit prevails, with hints of toasted bread, some caramel, and cream, plus the depth of complexity that results from prolonged contact with the fine lees. On the palate, it is fresh, with good intensity and a persistent and fruity finish.

Chardonnay 
Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine (different blend than the previous one)
Composition : 
Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
Method :  Méthode Champenoise
 
Vinification and ageing : vinified according to a manufacturing method inherited from our French Champagne tradition – a second fermentation in the bottle at a controlled temperature of 13ºC, followed by aging on the lees for 18 months.
Tasting note : Bright yellow. Elegant and delicate perlage with medium persistence. Complex aroma in which white fruit, such as pears, apples and pineapple, prevail along with a  hint of vanilla and pleasant fermentation aromas. On the palate, it is well-balanced, flavoursome and fresh, with interesting toasty notes and hints of peach.

Premium Malbec 2007
Aging : 12 months in barrels made from  French (80%) and American(20%)oak.
Tasting Notes : together with its ruby-red color, this wine has an aroma of very ripe red fruits and spices. On the palate, it is velvety and rounded, with great volume and a lingering presence.

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


The Vines New Blending Lab- Become a winemaker for the day!

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

BECOME A WINEMAKER FOR THE DAY WITH THE VINES!

The Vines has just finished our new high tech blending lab located in our tasting room in downtown Mendoza! You can become a winemaker for the day with The Vines staff by tasting and blendings wine that were harvested in March 2010 from our Private Vineyard Estates in the Uco Valley. We had special small stainless steel tanks made especially for these wines!

The blending process is one that is critical to the final product and it takes creativity, vision as well as the technical know how to pull it all together. So to offer the ultimate in wine tasting we created the blending lab to help people learn to taste the essences of different varietals and then create a blend that is custom tailored for your tastes. You often don’t realize that just a small percentage of one varietal can greatly influence the entire blend.

Last night we had a blending session with Mariana Onofri, The Vines sommelier, and a couple of our Private Vineyard Estate owners. We tasted through all of the varietals blind, so we had to guess which was Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This is definitely not as easy as it seems, as these wines are still babies and may not be showing their true expression yet. We all debated and had some surprises but then settled down to play with percentages of the different varietals to make our own special blend!

So we went to work with a partner and after a debate, each came up with a proposed blend from the different varietals. Mariana did her mix-a-lot magic and voila, we then tasted through the new blends (again blind) and had to pick out which one was ours!

Luckily both groups picked their own blends, confirming that we all have our own wine tastes, but which are not all the same! We then bottled up the blend and sent them off to dinner to show off their creation to the rest of the group.

Make sure if you are in Mendoza to make a reservation for this super cool tasting experience. Its really not like anything you have experienced and, please, don’t be intimidated, you don’t need to know anything about wine- but you will leave with a whole new appreciation for what winemakers do everyday!

For reservations contact: events@vinesofmendoza.com

Tasting Room hours: Monday through Saturday 3-10 pm.

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


Tales from Napa- Agronomist Daniel Guillén

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Since my arrival in Napa, I have been visiting the various vineyards of Robert Mondavi winery (RMW), which is located in Oakville in the Napa Valley. From Calistoga in the north to Carneros in the south I have been checking on the health of the vines as well as the evolution of the grapes by analysis and sensory tasting to determine the best time to harvest for each of the varietals. My work is primarily concentrated on the red varietals like Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabermet Franc, Petit Verdot and of course, Cabernet Sauvignon. While the cosecha is being continuing in the vineyards, the fermentation is started, together with the winemaking team (Gustavo Gonzalez, enologist, and Genevieve Janssens, coordinator of enology for RMW) with daily tastings of all the tanks to ensure the quality of the final product. This part of the process is particularly interesting for me and gives me the opportunity to experience how to make wine from different climates and terrors, and with the wine that is obtained, I am able to learn from the winemaking experience of Gustavo and Genevieve.

But my life here is not only work! I love wine so on the weekends I have been visiting different wineries in Napa obviously tasting wines! This has been a great experience professionally and culturally! Saludos with a Cabernet from Oakville!

EN ESPANOL

Desde mi llegada he estado realizando visitas a los viñedos de Robert Mondavi Winery, ubicados en Napa Valley, desde Calistoga hasta Carneros, cuidando la sanidad de los mismos y posteriormente realizando un seguimiento de la evolucion de la madurez por medio de analisis  quimicos y sensoriales, para determinar el mejor momento de cosecha de cada una de las variedades. Mayormente mi trabajo se centro en uvas tintas como pinot noir, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot y por supuesto, cabernet sauvignon. A medida que la cosecha va avanzando y el proceso de fermentacion se inicia, junto con el winemaking team (Gustavo Gonzalez, enologo de RMW y asesor de Krassia May, y Genevieve Janssens, coordinadora de enologia de RMW) realizamos degustaciones a diario de todos los tanques para asegurar la calidad del producto final. Esta etapa en particular significa una gran experiencia profesional pues puedo vincular una viticultura en climas y terroir diferentes, con el vino obtenido, aprendiendo a su vez de la experiencia de profesionales de la talla de Gustavo y Genevieve.

Pero no solo la vida es trabajo! me encanta el vino, asique los fines de semana, hacia tours por las bodegas mas reconocidas de napa, y obviamente degustaciones!to
Ha sido una gran experiencia laboral y cultural! Ya vamos a brindar con un cab sauvignon de Oakvillle!

Posted in Behind the bottle, Experiences | 1 Comment »


River Plate Comes to Mendoza

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

Futbol (soccer) is sacred in Argentina and the rivalries are fierce to say the least. Last night the exhaulted team from River Plate decended on Mendoza to play Godoy Cruz’s Tomba, which was expected to be a very close game and it ended up being just that with a tie 2-2. There were some highs and lows when the first goal for River was unexpectedly assisted by a Tomba player and then in the last 3 minutes of overtime, River made a goal, but which was overturned by an offsides call.

Always exciting for the gringo bystander are the antics and safety regulations that are enacted or not as it may be. There is no alcohol served at all during games or even near the stadium itself, however, shooting fireworks from within the crowd seems to be commonplace. Getting into the stadium is always a challenge, filled with policemen on horseback, riot shields and you definitely meet a different side of Mendoza, let’s just say that the hair is amazing! (mullets and rat tails galore) Also be sure to try out a chori-pan, which is chorizo sausage on a regular bun, you won’t be disappointed.

What strikes you the most, however, is the sheer passion Argentines have for their team and the sport. Parents, children, women alike… they are all screaming expletives at the referees, chanting theme songs, and if you even think about being neutral in team spirit, you might be ejected from the viewing field. Each team also travels with its own cheering squad, which is a sight to see, complete with drums, flags, fireworks, and streamers. River Plates very own is called “Los Borrachos del Tablón”. (lovingly, or aptly called the drunks of tablon) They are one of the most feared and violent of the barra brava groups… read more here at wikipedia. They seem to have their own history and hierarchy according to reigns of terror… watch out!

Check out photos from the game here.

Next time you can, make sure you attend one of these League A games, they are a true Argentine experience!

Posted in Experiences, Life in Mendoza | No Comments »


The Vines in L’Amateur de Cigar

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

Following a French theme of the day, The Vines was also recently featured in L’Amateur de cigare. It is a great article and for those of you that can speak French, even better! The Vines is going global, buenisimo!

Posted in In the News | No Comments »


Pablo goes to France

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

The staff at The Vines doesn’t stop at just being the best in Argentina, we also set our sails for far off regions, old world vineyards, learning new world techniques and having fun along the way. One of our new recruits and intern from the US, Kate Ehrlich along with the help of Kacie Fritz who did the translating, interviewed The Vines winemaker, Pablo Matorell, about his recent trip to France! Oh la la!

Barreling through France’s Wine Country- The Vines Winemaker Pablo Matorell

Pablo is back from his adventures abroad with Boutes!

Boutes, one of our barrel vendors, invites winemakers from Argentina to visit them at their facilities and properties throughout France, and our very own Pablo Martorell was one of the select 6 to participate this year. Traveling through the regions of Vichy, Allier, Medoc, Saint Émilion, Marmande and Languedoc-Roussillion, Pablo had the privilege of visiting the forest, drying park, and factory where Boutes sources their material, dries the wood, and constructs their French Oak barrels. He also stopped along the way for some winery tours and tastings.

Upon his return, Pablo took some time to tell us a little bit about his September tour:

His favorite wine of the trip? Cabernet Sauvignon, Château Lafite Rothschild

His favorite stop? Saint Émilion

Did he learn anything (of course!)? He learned a lot about French terroir, but what piqued his interest most was how French wineries self-regulate their output and identify themselves. (France’s appellation d’origine contrôlée is used to regulate geographical indications and the system under which wineries maintain the price, sale and distribution, and quantity of their wines. It’s the same system that you use, for example, to make sure your champagne is from Champagne!) He said he finds the economic aspect of this approach most fascinating because there is nothing similar in Argentina.

Can, and will, he make us a barrel? (With a laugh) Si! Si tuviera los materiales, claro lo haría!

Welcome back to Mendoza, Pablo!

Want to know more about Pablo’s travels? Leave your question for him in the comments! I’ll be sure to ask…with Kacie as translator.

Posted in Behind the bottle, Experiences | No Comments »


Cooking Classes at Finca Adalgisa

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

There is something about food and wine that can make even the most kitchen challenged individual inspired enough to don the chefs hat and take a spin at creating culinary materpieces. Or maybe its just wine that is the key ingredient to get these creative juices flowing!

One of our favorite country hotels in Mendoza, Finca Adalgisa, is now offering cooking classes to their guests, and their chef is amazing so this should be on the top of your list of “must do’s” if you are staying at their beautiful country retreat.  The boutique hotel is within walking distance to Chacras de Coria, a small city just outside of Mendoza that has lots of cute restaurants and a main plaza that you can sit and soak up the “cafe society” culture. Put down your cell phone, smart phone, leave your computer behind because its time to enjoy what Mendoza has to offer. (They have wifi, don’t worry- you can steal sneak peak glances as your inbox)

You can choose from a lunch or dinner cooking class and participate interactively in the preparation and cooking or watch from the sidelines, with wineglass in hand. The classes are held on a special prepared place underneath the old walnut tree.

To make reservations to stay at this beautiful wine country retreat visit their website: www.fincaadalgisa.com.ar or email reservas@fincaadalgisa.com.ar. It is located at Pueyrredón 2222 Chacras de Coria, Luján. Tel:+ 54 261 4960713

Posted in Life in Mendoza | 1 Comment »


KILLER MALBECS – LAST DAY TODAY 25% OFF

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

KILLER MALBECS- LAST DAY TODAY

The Vines 31 Killer Malbecs are available at 25% off today only, September 30th.

Be sure to check the lineup for some interesting suspects:

Doña Silvina Malbec 2006 (High falutin’ business type)
Mil Vientos Malbec 2007 (Immigrant from San Juan type)
Nomade Malbec Reserva 2004 (Rough yet enigmatic Gaucho type)
Proemio Malbec Reserva 2003 (Middle class charmer type)
Maia Malbec 2006 (The organic hippe type)

There are also 26 other Malbecs to choose from as well- make sure you capture them by TOMORROW!

If you want help or background checks just contact us at
customerservice@vinesofmendoza.com

**To ship gifts to multiple addresses please be sure to contact us so that we can place your order for you manually. Not all wines are available for shipping to all states. Customers in Canada and Europe: As our online store does not allow us to process orders outside of the United States, please submit your order to us via email. Please note that additional duties will be charged upon delivery of the wine.

Posted in Tasting Notes | No Comments »


Bodega Decero | New Restaurant

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Bodega Decero has now opened their restaurant for visitors to fully indulge in the Argentine wine experience with spectacular views of the Andes and luxurious food and wine pairings. They have partnered with well known Mendocino chef Matías Podestá to create a seasonal menu that is paired with their wines. You can choose from several different options of entradas, “platos principales” and deserts, to suit your fancy. The choices also appeal to vegetarians and those that are feeling the beef hangover and are craving food from the sea.

To whet your appetite we have provided some of the options and some photos to entice you to come and visit. Make sure that you make a reservation, you wouldn’t want to miss this. Open Monday through Saturday from 12pm-3pm, 3 course lunch paired with wines $180 pesos.

Some of their menu options:

empanadas: chorizo sausage, blood sausage, osobuco
Corn cake with creamy goat cheese and proscuitto
A citrus salmon baked with seeds on a bed of vegetable cous cous
Grilled steak with an assortment of fresh grilled vegetables
Pumpkin sorrentinos with a creamy arugula, almond and sun dried tomato sauce

Wines: Finca Decero Malbec 2008, Finca Decero Syrah 2007, Finca Decero Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

To make a reservation for wine tastings or a decadent lunch, please contact:

Ana Inés Musi Senior Wine Educator

T: +54 261 524 4747 int. 12

anaines.musi@decero.com

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


Planting Season has arrived!

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Spring is here, and The Vines is in full swing with our 2010 planting season, planting over 120 acres of vineyards consisting of several different varietals like Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The weather is beautiful and balmy, around 75 degree, perfect conditions for the new vines. Feliz Primavera!

If you would like more information about becoming one of these Private Vineyard Estate owners, just email: info@vinesofmendoza.com.

Posted in Photos, Private Vineyard Estates | No Comments »


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