Join The Vines and Walter Bressia tomorrow January 28th at 6pm EDT for a live “virtual” tasting with Walter Bressia. We will be streaming live from Mendoza, Argentina so we apologize for all of you on the west coast, it is a bit early for you and a bit late for us.
There are 3 ways to participate:
Live Webcam- See us live at www.ustream.tv/channel/vinesofmendoza
Webinar- where you can sign up and listen in here https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/823606114
Twitter- follow us at vinesofmendoza and use the hashtags #bressiatl, #vinesofmendoza or #mendozabressia
I love wine by itself… I love having a great glass of wine to enjoy a great moment, an interesting talk, nice company… but there is no doubt that whenever we drink wine… Food can amplify the enjoyment of the wine and the moment even more.
Wine drunk by itself tastes different than wine accompanied with food. Wine reacts with food in a comparable way to a food spice. Wine can improve the flavor of food… and vice versa. A good match will bring out the nuances enhancing the flavors and distinctive characteristics of both the food and the wine.
Wine is rarely isolated. Wine is context; people, smiles, music, landscapes, smells, food… The best pairing is good food, good wine and good company. Well… last week we had it all!!
Emily, who loves bubbles!, joined me in a visit to the most important sparkling winery in Mendoza: Chandon Argentina.
Mariana Roura, responsible for Tourism, guided us through the winery. She had a welcoming attitude and tried to personalize the visit with information we would be specifically interested to hear.
Mariana explained that between 1957 and 1959 Poirier, a well known French oenologist and Claude Moet’s technical advisor, conducted several oenological trials, convincing himself that Argentina, and specifically the Mendoza district of Agrelo, was the ideal place to locate Moët & Chandon’s first winery outside of France.
Valle de Uco is Chandon’s preferred region to make their high-end wines. Clay-based and rocky soils, a semi-desert climate, cold nights and distinctive thermal amplitude combine to create the perfect conditions for obtaining grapes with higher acidity, body and flavor. There is no doubt that Valle de Uco is the best region to grow the best grapes to make the best sparkling wines from Argentina.
Afterward our tour, Marcos Zabaleta, in-house chef, walked us through a great clase de maridaje (wine/food pairings)!- (very reasonably priced, by the way – U$15) It certainly was the best food and wine paring at a winery that I have been offered of late.
Marcos explained that “through these pairings I demonstrate that we can have sparkling wine from the appetizer through to dessert”
Chandon Extra Brut paired with a Caprese tartlet: mix of 5 cheeses: (blue cheese, fontina, parmesan and bufarella), cherry tomatoes and dry basil.
Chandon B. Nature paired with Salmon Carpaccio: marinated salmon with parmesan cheese, olives and tomatoes on a toast.
Barón B Extra Brut paired with “Empanada de chorizo”: empanada stuffed with pork sausage, Portobello, cooked with a sparkling wine and cream.
Barón B Brut Rose paired with “Tibio de frutos morados”: Black and red fruit salteé with Henessy and rosé sparkling, black sugar, pepper Corn and a dash of fresh cream.
Well… I have just one word to describe these pairings: PERFECT!!
If you are in Mendoza, don’t miss this sparkling wine and food pairing!
Last Week we were invited to visit Tributo Winery, Trapiche’s newest project development in innovation,commitment and passion for the land.
“Trapiche `Tributo` was born to pay homage to each and every worker, harvester and winemaker who has been, and still is, a key player in the history of viticulture and winemaking in Argentina.
`Tributo` winery is a ten-hectare estate surrounded vineyards and olive trees exclusively dedicated to the brand`s icon wines: from the popular Broquel(US)/ Fond de Cave (AR) line to country`s premier Single Vineyard Malbecs, a project which started in 2005 and which main aim is to honor 20 grape growers that have worked and trusted Trapiche for more than a century. Three Single Vineyard Malbecs receive the name of its grape producers each year.
The vineyards planted in front of the winery, are managed under the biodynamic philosophy. The building, inspired by the Italian Renaissance, was once a model winery owned by the Cavagnaro family back in 1912. Sold
by the founders, it was soon abandoned in 1970. It was, however, only in 2006 that Trapiche acquired the historical building, aiming to rescue the spirit of its creation by restoring its original structure, recycling its interiors and monumental façade, as well as incorporating the latest state-of-the-art technology and equipment for the production of its high-end wines.
Marcela and Ramiro take you on a great tour through The Vines of Mendoza experience!!
Join us in our downtown Mendoza tasting room, Tuesday – Saturday from 3-10pm.
Winter is showing in Mendoza and our editions of Winemaker’s night have come to an end until September, when we will be able to enjoy beautiful warm evenings in our patio again.
A memorable Winery put an end to the first edition of Winemaker’s Night 2009: Domaine St. Diego.
Domain St. Diego is one of the most picturesque wineries in Lulunta, Maipu. A winery with a lot of charm and personality. Ángel Mendoza, the owner and oenologist, is a local wine celebrity. Angel and his family have focused their attention on small harvests from only their best vines in order to produce a limited production of quality wines.
I would love to share with you a small conversation I had with him.
Antucura means in the ancient language of the Pehuenches -the first inhabitants of the area-, ¨Stone of the Sun¨. Mariela Ilardo,Commercial Manager, explains they chose this name for their winery and lodge at Vista Flores because the vineyards that give the birth to their beloved wines grow here naturally, among stones and rocks.
We tasted 4 wines:
Tabanera Pinot Noir 2007 - A Pinot Noir with character. Very different from the burgundy style but really well
made. Really woth tating!
Barrandica 2006 – A wine made out of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of malbec. A wine that cries for food. Great to pair with beef!
Calvulcura 2005 – Same blend as the previous wine, but with a longer oak aging. A really deep wine, peppery character. It has a unique style! If you like big wines, don’t miss this one.
Antucura 2004 – Their Icone wine is made out of Merlot and cabernet Sauvignon.Different from most Argentinian wines, since it doesn’t have malbec grape in it… Yet they have been able to create a wine with a lot of character. It is a wine that has a great aging potencial.
Interview with Arturo Bertona Monte Cinco’s owner and Marcos Masa Monte Cinco’s winemaker.
WINEMAKER’S NIGHT: MONTE CINCO
As every Wednesday, not only we had the opportunity to learn about the Argentine wine industry, but also we tasted amazing wines, being among them the Best World Malbec 2008.
Arturo Bertona, owner of this small winery, is very proud of having had the chance to continue his grandfather legacy; growing and making great wine! Despite the long history of being vine growers, it was in 2002 that Arturo decided to start with his own line of wines called Monte Cinco.
