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Malbec is Just Straight Sexy

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Why Malbec?

Malbec has become the drink that quality-focused yet cost-savvy wine drinkers turn to. Here’s why:

Malbec is just straight sexy. It has become the wine world’s darling of the moment for good reason, converting more and more enthusiasts by the day.

Starting with the succulent fruit that is inherent to Argentina’s Malbec, it elevates this Bordeaux blending varietal as a star all on its own. It has rampaged across all price categories with consistency and providing tremendous value for the price while gaining traction in an global economic climate that can be referred to as difficult, at best. In fact, imports of Argentinean wine in the United States have jumped 39% in the first 6 months of 2009 and is now gaining increased market share across the world.

Why is Malbec so hot?
In a country that is synonymous with gauchos, beef and tango, it couldn’t be anything but sexy. Think European flair with a rustic, enigmatic twist and you will find Malbec. The Argentine’s have guarded their cultural traditions closely, including siesta, family asados every Sunday and late night revelry. Opening a bottle of Malbec is an invitation to travel around the world and experience the culture and lifestyle yourself.

So whats in the glass? Malbec offers the best of high altitude wine characteristics, including intense fruit, the ability to blend with other varietals, and the adaptability to be brought to market early with lush easy drinking characteristics, or as a classic aged wine full of delicate layers, oak and fruit tannins.

The future…
Malbec has a bright future as it not only delivers quality consistently but has many different personalities. The premium wine industry is still in its infancy in Argentina and surely we will see increased technological and winemaking advances over the next few years. Malbec is the wine of the moment and will continue to capture people’s imaginations and tastebuds in the future. Argentine Malbec is here to stay!

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1337 Wine Video Reviews- Bressia Taste Live Wines

Friday, February 12th, 2010

In continuation of our Taste Live with Walter Bressia,  MarkV Fusco of 1337wine.com in San Antonio TX couldn’t attend but now you can watch his lively banter and interesting comments as he reviews and rates the 3 wines that we tasted a few weeks ago.

So to give you a little background- 1337 Wine is your leet wine resource-a journey of expanding and improving the palette palate and nose. Wines reviewed are typically $10 or less and is a good resource for study material for those looking to delve much deeper into wine, spirits, beer, cigars, and service – everything the aspiring Sommelier needs. Mark is studying to be a sommelier so if you ever thought about going through with your wine dreams or just want to be about to spout “Sommy” vocabulary at adept points in dinner and cocktail parties, you can follow along and get a real time version of the experience.
Here he explains the concept and what a Leet is- “leet speak” (aka elite speak) numbers can be used to represent letters. In this case, 1 = L, 3 = E, 7 = T – LEET. If you watch Episode 1 I briefly explain what happened. Here I will go into a little more depth. I saw a wine bottle at an angle that had “337″ on it. I thought it might have been “1337.” Unfortunately it was just 337. So I decided that to call a wine 1337 would be epic and geeks from far and wide would buy it. I immediately went to Go Daddy to buy that domain. For a couple months I tried to figure out what I was going to do with this domain. The idea of doing wine reviews came to mind since it would be a long time before I could afford to create 1337 as a wine. I then remembered that I was also going to do a blog called “Sommelier in Training.” That never got off the ground. So here you see all my wine website ideas in one place. Hopefully, one day, you will be able to buy 1337 Wine in a store near you. Until then……”

So thank you Mark for your reviews- we look forward to more from you!

2007 Monteagrelo Syrah- 91 point range

“Sweet with some smokiness…its real interesting. Earthiness, with dusty, dirty and fruit.”

2006 Bressia Profundo-90 points

“smooth, real silky, cherries, chocolate, an elegant wine…a wine I could just sit and drink this wine”

2005 Urraca Familia Langley- 93 points

“Outstanding- there is a ton of stuff going on”

“Dust,chocolate, sweetness from red fruits…it just feels juicy.”

Posted in In the News, Tasting Notes | 1 Comment »


Rumors of a Mendoza Supper Club?

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Not only is Mendoza experiencing a wine renaissance with increased wine tourism and more and more wine offerings, but there is also a gastronomic renaissance occurring. Argentines and especially Mendocinos are hardliners when it comes to food- they don’t tend to deviate much from the staples- asado, pasta, empanadas, and pizza (which may or may not make you question their Italian heritage).

However over the last two years or so, Mendocinos are opening up- we now have 3 sushi restaurants, rather shocking to be honest. But food tends to go hand in hand with fine wine, so now we are starting to see more interesting food creations.

SECRET SUPPER CLUB?

One of The Vines friends and sometimes videographer, Langdon Doty, has witnessed this transformation and would like to take it one step further- a secret supper club! At various times during the month he will put on an amazing impromptu gourmet meal for tourists and locals alike based on different wines and his creative culinary whims.

I suggested that he test his skills with the wines we tasted at last night’s winemaker night with Finca Sophenia (http://www.sophenia.com/).  This is what he came up with and my mouth is already watering, I can’t wait for the actual meal!

For more information about the Mendoza Supper Club or for any of these recipes contact Langdon at langdoty@gmail.com

(more…)

Posted in Experiences, Life in Mendoza, Tasting Notes | No Comments »


Ready to be Enamore?

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Valentine’s day is around the corner, this Sunday to be exact and if you are like 95% of the world’s population, you are now scrambling to come up with some ideas for how to please your loved ones.

We would like to suggest the Enamore and truffle pairing- decadent, delicious, and downright perfect.

TASTING NOTES

50% Malbec 25% Syrah, 22% Bonarda 22% Cab Sauv y 3% Cab Franc Perdriel, Medrano and Rivadavia
Winemaking: Bodega Renacer uses an old method of winemaking “appassimento” for this wine, which entails drying the grapes to achieve greater concentration by losing one third of their weight. They undergo a 10 day maceration, alcoholic fermentation, takes place in stainless steel tanks with temperature control during 90 days. Malolactic fermentation induced with native bacteria and is aged for 12 months in new French oak.

Tasting Notes: This wine conjures images of worlds past, the romance of Mouin Rouge- sensuous with elegant structure, full of spiced aromas and luscious fruit. The soft texture and balanced flavors hint at the dense sweetness that leads into a beautiful finish.

Food Pairing: Dark Chocolate Truffles
Drinking Guide: Drink now through 2011

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) of high-quality chopped bitter or semi sweet chocolate
  • 1 cup bitter cocoa powder

These simple and decadent bon bons have an unforgettable velvety texture. Serve them at your next red wine and chocolate party, or pair with chicken mole and chocolate chili bread pudding for a three course chocolate coved meal. Your rich Malbecs are fantastic with this.

Preparing: (Makes 18)

Place chopped chocolate in a stainless steel bowl.

Cooking:

In a heavy bottom saucepan, bring cream to a boil. When cream is scalding hot, pour over chopped chocolate. Stir mixture constantly until all chocolate has melted. Allow to stand covered in the fridge until firm enough to form into balls. Remove from fridge and, working with a teaspoon in each hand, roll chocolate in between the teaspoons to form even balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Then roll each bon bon in cocoa powder and store in an airtight container in your fridge or freezer until ready to serve.

Switch it up!

Add  1⁄2 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts or 2 oz. (56gr.) Grand Marnier Liqueur immediately after pouring boiling cream on chocolate.

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Tweets from Last Week’s “Virtual Tasting”

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Last Thursday we held The Vines of Mendoza’s first “virtual” tasting event with Walter Bressia and we would like to thank everyone who participated! Although we encountered some technological difficulties, ok someone kicked the server, so we had some downtime, it came off as a success with a live stream from Ustream and a lively twitter banter. Below are some of the comments on the wines and we would like to thank both Walter and Mariana for an excellent tasting!

Cheers!

People to follow on Twitter:

@1winedude, @DrncPno, @JustGrapesWine, @Asher8072, @NancyNorde, @laurafresneda, @aleverdeguer, @michaelhevans, @YasharSeattle, @voxinferior, @winecast, @JustGrapesWine, @snieuw, @lucianaferrari, @toddhavens, @SeattleWineGal, @BeaBroderick, @vintuba, @MarisaCarullo, @tagwine, @duffydoyle,

Can’t wait for @VinesofMendoza Walter Bressia live Argentine #wine tasting today! @VinesofMendoza #BressiaMendoza @WineLog @DrncPno *3PM PST about 23 hours ago from TweetieRT @Asher8072: Walter Bressia talking about boutique wine operations in Argentina. Quality over quantity! True passion #vinesofmendoza #BressiaTasteLiveA great nose of tanned leather and deep black fruit just starting to show after some decanting. @VinesofMendoza #vinesofmendoza #winePalate was huge, big intensity, more oak here than I like, but very young of course, needs time. @VinesofMendoza #vinesofmendoza #wineChar, more leather adn scary dark black fruit here with some pepper after a lot of air to finish out: @VinesofMendoza #vinesofmendoza #wine@1WineDude I found great acid on ALL these wines…very refreshing! @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendoza #wineThank you very much to Mr. Bressia for tonight’s online tasting. Very impressive wines! @VinesofMendoza #vinesofmendoza #winePhoto Shoot Tribute in honor of @VinesofMendoza | #BressiaTasteLive | http://bit.ly/cnVLiW | Enjoy! http://ff.im/f40AJFor those interested, all my tasting notes from tonights #VinesofMendoza #wine tasting are on @WineLog: http://bit.ly/cpBlLv @VinesofMendoza@VinesofMendoza I wish I could’ve done the tasting with u guys, but was in the streets selling that Malbec! Aguante Bressia! #vinesofmendoza

Both are concentrated & refined but Urraca is bigger & almost out of balance; Profundo is wine of tasting

Uracca 05 – if this had another 2% abv, Robert Parker would go ape over it… @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozadrinking some caramelized Bressia Profundo ‘06 #BressiaTasteLive with @vinesofmRT @lucianaferrari: viendo la degustación virtual de @vinesofmendoza con Walter Bressia. Excelente idea!! @michaelhevansok, I could do bicep workouts with this Urraca – that is one heavy bottle! @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozaWOO HOO! I love the profundo! sexy spicyness, black cherries, oak tannins #bressiatastelive (@vinesofmendoza live at http://ustre.am/bIHS)@vinesofmendoza Yeah – there is structure there; but delicious now #vinesofmendozaIs anyone else getting toasted coconut on the nose of the Profundo? It’s jumping out to me… in a good way @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozaInterestingly, the small amt of Syrah is jumping out for me on the Profundo (spice & pepper) @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozaHonestly, I’m getting some goosebumps from sniffing the Profundo. @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozaRT @NancyNorde: Bressia Produnfo, smooth enough for fish, but hearty enough for beef #vinesofmendoza #bressiatasteliveBressia Profundo is like velvet #vinesofmendoza #bressiatasteliveRT @winecast: Bressia, “Profundo” 06 – Really refined in the mouth w/ complex black cherry + white pepper flavors finishing w/ supple tanninRT @michaelhevans: RT @MarisaCarullo: This Bressia Profundo ‘06 is pure heaven #vinesofmendoza #bressiatastelive06 Bressia Profundo. Uhm… like… WOW. @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozanot tasting the wine b/c well I have none but enyoing listening and reading tweets (@vinesofmendoza live at http://ustre.am/bIHS)could seriously think of going steady with the Bressia Monteagrelo Syrah #bressiatastelive @VinesofMendoza #wine@winecast I’m not getting any minerality, or funk; totally New World, bold style (except for the great acid) @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozaRT @vinesofmendoza: RT @pgimenezriili: Monteagrelo Syrah 2007. Expresivo en la nariz, muestra buena tipicidad.Char, more leather adn scary dark black fruit here with some pepper after a lot of air to finish out: @VinesofMendoza #vinesofmendoza #winePalate was huge, big intensity, more oak here than I like, but very young of course, needs time. @VinesofMendoza #vinesofmendoza #wine@WineWonkette Yeah – it’s scre-scre-scre-screeeeaming for a Syrah. Otherwise, it’s New World all the way @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozaA great nose of tanned leather and deep black fruit just starting to show after some decanting. @VinesofMendoza #vinesofmendoza #wine07 Bressia Syrah Monteagrelo – a lot goin’ on here. Violets, blackberry, spice; dark & deep, almost PV dark! @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozaWow – the acidity on this Monteagrelo Syrah is *much* higher than I’d expected. I dig that. @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendoza@winecast I speak a bit of Espanol, so it’s not too bad. One of the nice ladies is translating :) @vinesofmendoza #vinesofmendozaWoot, first wine, the ‘07 Bressia Monteagrelo Syrah @VinesofMendoza #mendozabressia #wine (@vinesofmendoza live at http://ustre.am/bIHS)RT @DrncPno: Cheers 2 @VinesofMendoza for a look at some amazingly good & interesting wines. Walter Bressia not a secret #bressiatasteliveRT @vinesofmendoza: We think Walter is one of Mendoza’s best kept secrets #bressiatastelive (@vinesofmendoza live at http://ustre.am/bIHS)@vinesofmendoza@winecast @vinesofmendoza @michaelhevans @1WineDude@DrncPno Wines sound fab.Wish I was tasting w/ u.#bressiatastelive #wine#vinesofmendoza

Posted in Experiences, Tasting Notes | No Comments »


Bressia Taste Live Thursday 28th 6pm EDT

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

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

We will be tasting the following wines:

  1. 2007 Monteagrelo Syrah
  2. 2006 Bressia Profundo
  3. 2005 Urraca Familia Langley

Email me any questions that you have and we look forward to having a lively discussion tomorrow!

emily@vinesofmendoza.com

Saludos!

The Video will also be available after the tasting so if you dont have the wines, be sure to purchase them and host your own tasting!

Posted in Experiences, Mendoza Bodegas, Podcasts, Tasting Notes, Videos, Vines Events | No Comments »


The Roof goes on the Bodega at the Private Vineyard Estates

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

We are very busy constructing our bodega at The Vines of Mendoza’s Private Vineyard Estates in preparation for our first harvest, or cosecha, in March. Our architects are rapidly progressing and we now have a roof on the bodega! Stay tuned for more developments from the Uco Valley.

Posted in Private Vineyard Estates | 1 Comment »


Virtual Tasting next Thursday- Join In!

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Next Thursday we are having a new type of tasting- a “virtual” tasting with one of our favorite winemakers, Walter Bressia.

There are 2 ways to connect- Twitter and via webinar.

Twitter at times may seem a bit overwhelming, but its actually super easy and a great resource once you get the hang of it.

There are a lot of resources but here are the elementary steps

  1. Go to Twitter.com and sign up for an account
  2. Upload a profile picture and a short bio all about yourself
  3. Start to think in phrases of 140 characters or less
  4. Use URL shorteners to add links to articles, photos, etc, ex. www.bit.ly.com

So where did Twitter come from and why is it important?

Twitter History

Twitter was founded in San Francisco in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams. The four were participants in an R&D project with Odeo, a podcasting company. In October of 2006 the company was purchased by the senior management and the company Obvious was started by former Odeo employees to operate Odeo and Twitter. Twitter rapidly gained popularity until April 2007, when Obvious spun the company off into Twitter, Inc.

Its a great way to stay current with local events, track trends, find out opinions about your business and only for some, don’t worry that you have to be this way, it is track your daily routine.

Here are a few links to catch up on the twitter basics:

13 Twitter tips and tutorials for beginners

The Ultimate Guide for Everything Twitter

“Twitter” for Dummies – What the F*!k is Twitter and why do I care

Twitter for Dummies- videos, articles and more


So don’t be afraid, sign up, take a whirl around the “virtual” twitter block and tune in next Thursday January 28th at 6pm EDT to taste with The Vines team and Walter Bressia.

Frustrated at Technology?

If you have any technical questions, feel free to email me at emily@vinesofmendoza.com

P.S. You can order 3 of Walter Bressia’s wines now through the january 31 at 10% off. Even if you can’t participate, make sure that you stock up and listen afterward to the podcast to see if you can taste like a pro.

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Bodega Urraca- Undercover with COPS John Langley

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Bad boys, bad boys…whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you… Drink Malbec!

Tomorrow night The Vines of Mendoza will be hosting Bodega Urraca at our weekly winemaker’s night in our Mendoza Tasting Room. Bodega owner, American television producer John Langley, fell in love with Mendoza and the wines and purchased almost 50 hectares of vineyards in Agrelo, building the winery in 2008.

COPS PRODUCER JOHN LANGLEY

As wikipedia states: John Langley is the creator and executive producer of the long-running television show COPS, which premiered on FOX in March 1989. Prior to that, he was among the reality television pioneers as a producer of various two-hour event specials in syndicated television markets during the 1980s. In fact, Langley is often credited as being the “father of reality television” with the appearance of COPS in 1989. He is also a professor of literature.

Langley is currently producing a new series called Inside American Jail for TruTV with his son Morgan Langley.[citation needed] In an innovative move, the show was also sold to and airs as “Jail” on MyNetworkTV. “Jail” is also an unscripted series following corrections officers as they process suspects through city and county jails. Morgan Langley is credited as co-creator of the new series, which incorporates the video verite style of COPS.

SIGN UP FOR A LIVE VIRTUAL TASTING OF URRACA

On January 28th at 6pm EDT, we will be holding a live “virtual tasting” with the Urraca Familia Langley Reserve made by one of Argentina’s best, but as of yet, top secret winemaking weapons, Walter Bressia.

To sign up click here to taste live along with Walter via twitter (vinesofmendoza) or webinar. 

But you need to ORDER THIS WEEK, we will be tasting the Urraca Familia Lanley Reserva, to receive the wines prior to the tasting on Jan. 28th!

WINE ADVOCATE AWARDS

Urraca’s Wines have also garnered many awards from renowned wine critic Robert Parker.

Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008: 90 points
Urraca Malbec 2008: 89 points
Urraca Familia Langley Reserva 2007: 91 points

JOIN THE REALITY REVOLUTION

So in honor of John Langley’s “reality” legacy, come join in tomorrow if you are in Mendoza and on January 28th for a second chance to taste these amazing wines!

Posted in In the News, Vines Events | No Comments »


Today it’s the last day! FREE SHIPPING!

Monday, November 30th, 2009

last-reminder

Posted in Vines Events | No Comments »


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