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Posts Tagged ‘Argentina’

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Live Wine Tastings-101

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Tonight we are tasting through our newest and best Acequia Wine Club wines and are inviting the world to join in! Join Mariana Onofri, The Vines Sommelier, Thierry Haberer, winemaker for The Rolland Collection wines, and myself, Emily, to chat about different Argentine varietals, the wineries and what really goes into a good bottle of Malbec.

To get you started I have come up with a little protocol for The Vines Live Tastings 101 to help you navigate, the at times, intimidating world of wine technology. So here are your directions:

1.    Make sure you have a corkscrew, wine glasses and most importantly the wines!
2.    Open a bottle of wine and pour yourself a glass- it will help any technology induced anxiety
3.    Make sure you have a computer and internet access- if not repeat step 2 and call a friend
4.    Open a new web page to www.ustream.tv/channel/vinesofmendoza
5.    The screen may be blank- Don’t panic you are in the right place
6.    Check your watch- is it 5:30pm PST/ 8:30pm EST? Is it Tuesday May 18th?
7.    If your response is yes to all of the above -Sit back, relax and taste along

For Mensa Wine Members

For those that actually want us to respond to comments and questions-Try your hand at twitter or Ustream chat. Here are your additional instructions:

1.  Log into your twitter account www.twitter.com
2. Follow @vinesofmendoza if you don’t already (but of course you do!)
3. Because you are a supreme multitasker you can watch ustream and tweet and drink wine at the same time
4. Post any comments and all tweets should include #wine, #vinesofmendoza or #acequia
5. To ask questions or reply to specific comments, tweets should include @vinesofmendoza

6. You can also use ustream chat.

For Technological or Calender Challenged Individuals- Those that lack one of the key ingredients above- Follow these directions.

1.  Check if you have the newest Acequia wines. If not click HERE, enter this item into your shopping cart and check out.
2. Check back here for the video of the tasting.
3. Set up a time and place to taste along with us.
4. Send any comment or questions via email- you have lost the chance to chat.

Viola! You are all now technologically wine savvy! Felicitaciones and I hope to see you all tonight! Remember www.ustream.tv/channel/vinesofmendoza

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2010 Owner Harvest Recap

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Here in Mendoza we are in the midst of late fall, the yellow and red colors are resplendent in the streets and vineyards, the light is hazy with golden hues, and there is a brisk freshness to the breeze as you walk down the streets. Fall has flown by, but Cosecha 2010 was a whirlwind of activities and we are now able to look back and see everything that we were able to accomplish in such a short time. We had many of our Private Vineyard Estate owners on hand to harvest and process their wines and we are now carefully watching over them as they go through their first and second fermentations in our new winery. I was chatting with owner Barry Chaiken from Boston, who brought a troupe of friends to experience this almost magical process. Below is a brief recap of what he and his friends were able to experience. So, cheers to all the other Private Vineyard Estate owners that made wine this year- we are looking forward to tasting the final product!

Notes from the 2010 Harvest by Barry Chaiken

What a great trip!! Over a two week period I had 12 of my closest friends travel to Mendoza to share my first harvest at Chaiken Vineyards. In addition to touring the vineyard, we visited the newly built winery, met with the consulting winemakers, and sampled some of the best food in Argentina.

OK, here’s the news on the harvest. Due to a relatively cool summer, harvest was delayed almost two weeks. Although this prevented me from seeing the malbec being picked, it does offer great hope for the wines. Warm days were followed by cool evenings allowing the sugars and acidity to be in balance, which means more interesting and flavorful wines.

On my last visit to the vineyard our winemakers were blind tasting all the grapes from every vineyard determining the right day for picking. Although winemakers use equipment to measure BRIX (sugar levels), nothing is more important than how the grapes taste. Amazingly, each winemaker tastes more than four pounds during one of these sessions. Winemakers grade the grapes A, B, or C with A the highest rating. So how did we do? We got an A!!

Harvest of our malbec began the week of April 5th. Primary fermentation takes place over a two week period for each varietal with the malbec followed by syrah, cabernet franc, and then cabernet sauvignon. I should be getting a report on the how it’s all going real soon. Right now everyone both in Mendoza and here in the U.S. are excited about it all.

Chaiken Vineyards

www.chaikenvineyards.com
info@chaikenvineyards.com
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Malbec hits the New York Times

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Esteemed journalist Eric Asimov is the hallowed wine expert at the New York Times and even he has come around to Malbec. In a recent article he says that “Argentina opens the tap for Malbec” (click for the full article)

They tasted 25 Malbecs under $50 and the verdict is that there is no greater value in the market with the same fruit flavors and consistency as Malbec.

Here are a few of the highlights:

“It’s the right sort of wine at the right kind of price.”

Argentina is pumping out a river of malbec, and it has been flying off the shelves at an astounding rate. Since 2005, shipments of Argentine malbec to the United States have quintupled, to nearly 3.15 million cases in 2009 from about 628,000 cases in 2005, according to figures from Wines of Argentina, a trade group.

“As the outdoor cooking season gets under way in earnest, with its plethora of grilled and roasted meats, malbecs would make fine choices. I tend to think of them the way I did of zinfandels, before so many zinfandels became top-heavy with alcohol. They are likable and powerful enough in their own right. And if you served them slightly cool, as Florence suggested, well, then you have a fine summer party wine.”

So there you have it- The NYT just told you to go out and throw a party!

Posted in In the News | No Comments »


The Vines last day of 2010 Cosecha

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

It has been a busy fall for us here in Mendoza with the winery, clients, and harvest! Today marks the last day we will be harvesting grapes and we currently have 82 different lots of wines! We have 74 lots are fermenting in stainless steel tanks- we have the ultimate technology in microfermentation! Each owner has their own tank and the cellar staff is busy with hand punch downs, some of the owners have even gotten in on the action, and monitoring the fermentation process. 6 wines have already completed fermentation and are in barrel ready to go through malolactic fermentation. This year we produced Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Syrah. Now I can’t wait for the blending trials!

It has been a monumental year for us and we are happy to share it with both our owners as well as everyone that will be drinking these wines in the future!

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Chocolate & Wine Pairings with Chrissie Bettencourt

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Ok, I admit it, I have a lot of vices…however, my favorites tend to be wine and chocolate and sometimes, if I am lucky, they even tend to be spectacular together! Lucky for us, Chrissie Bettancourt has studied the finer points of chocolate and food pairings, which, at best tends to be difficult and full of nuance. She conducts classes and courses with her company, Awaken Your Senses, that guides people through the use of chocolate and other gourmet tools, to help you discover that, yes indeed, we do have 5 senses.

It really is amazing to see how the wine pairs with different chocolates. For example, here at The Vines, one of my favorites is a orange infused chocolate- oh and you should only buy the best quality chocolate to conduct the pairings (important detail) – with the Lorca Viognier. The citrus flavors jump out at you instantly complementing the acidity in the wine and the balance it has with the chocolate. Another interesting pairing is a spicy pepper infused chocolate with the Malamado Malbec, a sweet dessert wine- the pairing is incredible with sweet and spice doing the tango in your mouth. Try it out for yourself!

So the next time you are in Mendoza, make sure that you add a chocolate and wine pairing class to your itinerary- you won’t regret it. Or contact her if you have any questions about potential chocolate and wine pairings- she is a font of information. My problem is that I just can’t seem to stop eating the truffles!

Chrissie offers:


Chocolate and Wine Tastings

Unique and personalized chocolate and wine pairings, using handmade chocolate truffles and boutique Argentine wines.  Each pairing is created specifically to highlight particular elements of flavour in both the wine and chocolate.   Here you can learn the steps in both wine and chocolate tastings, the why’s of flavor combinations and how to pair chocolate with wine.

Price:  90 pesos per person
5 people and more:  60 pesos per person

Cooking with Wine and Chocolate

Using a selection of recipes and hands on exercises, learn the basics of how to cook with chocolate and wine to create unique desserts that will be sure to impress friends and family.  In this workshop you will:

* Learn about where chocolate originated

* Different chocolate varietals and descriptors

* The different types of chocolate that you can use in cooking

* The basics of tasting chocolate and learning how to select the appropriate chocolate for your recipe

* Learn how to combine both wine and chocolate in desserts

* Create two decadent chocolate and wine desserts

Cost:  60 pesos per person


Email: info@awakenyoursenses.info

Website: www.awakenyoursenses.info

Blog: http://awakenyoursenses.info/wordpress/

Posted in Life in Mendoza | No Comments »


The Vines Team- Cosecha Day 2010

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Every year the entire Vines team heads into the vineyard to harvest grapes that will eventually become wine for guests at The Vines of Mendoza’s tasting room. This year was especially unique because we were able to harvest and process the grapes in our own winery! As many of us work and live in Mendoza city, about an hour from the Uco Valley, and as we are in the midst of high tourist season, we often are not able to visit the finca as much as we would like. I watched as many members of the team entered the winery for the first time and the looks of incredulity were amazing. The bright shiny tanks and fully functioning sorting line and pumps, all gleaming with the smell of wine in the air, captivated the imaginations of what had previously only been a dream, but was now a reality.

Several owners were on hand to experience the process and we all jumped in and helped with the selection process. After several hours of hard work “on the line” we took a break to celebrate with lomos off the parrilla, super thin beef sandwiches (yum) and of course some champagne and fernet branca y coca (national Argentine drink of choice).  It was a momentous day for the entire team, one that culminates a year of hard work and amazing achievements!

Posted in Experiences, Life in Mendoza, Private Vineyard Estates | No Comments »


Mendoza’s new Art Atelier- Gonzalo Anton

Friday, April 9th, 2010

One of Mendoza´s best kept secrets is the new atelier of international artist Gonzalo Antón (www.gonzaloanton.com) located on Larrea Street 1585, the heart of Chacras de Coria village: a district known for its small wineries, boutique inns and premium tourist attractions.

Gonzalo Antón was born in Mendoza and spends most of the year here when not traveling and personally delivering his paintings to international clients. He is often featured in international art exhibitions-you can see some of his international exhibits and press coverage in his website.
The atelier, with a spacious garden with a pool and the beautiful backdrop of ancient trees and the tranquility that is found inthe country- it is a perfect spot to create beautiful works of art.. After admiring some of his huge canvases (some measure 170 by 90 inches -4 by 2 meters!-) you will wish you had more space in your home to add some of his pieces. And if you are in luck that day, you might be one of the few he invites over for a drink afterward at his private home -just a 2 minute drive away- to frolic in the garden with his pet peacocks. Settle back with some wine and enjoy a lively conversation, a beautiful setting and fine art- this is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip.

Be sure to book a visit to Gonzalo´s hidden atelier when coming to Mendoza! Reservations can be made by calling 156 607 531 (from USA dial 011 549 261 660 7531).

Posted in Experiences, Life in Mendoza | 1 Comment »


CONFERENCE CALL: “Cosecha 2010. Uco Valley – Mendoza – Argentina”

Friday, April 9th, 2010

“COSECHA 2010: Uco Valley – Mendoza – Argentina“ conference call was hosted on April 6th, 2010 by Michael Evans, CEO of The Vines of Mendoza. The 4 panelists were Rob Lawson, Santiago Achaval, Pablo Giménez Riili and Pablo Martorell.

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

Posted in Podcasts | 1 Comment »


TODAY | CONFERENCE CALL | COSECHA 2010

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

REGISTER HERE

UCO VALLEY – COSECHA 2010 - MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Day: April 6th | Time: 7pm EDT

Please join The Vines of Mendoza and our winemaking team for a quarterly conference call about the Cosecha (harvest) 2010.
Leading wine experts, Santiago Achaval of Achaval Ferrer and Rob Lawson of Pavi wines and Napa Wine Company will talk with Pablo Giménez Riili and Pablo Martorell about this years grape harvest, the status of the vineyards, our experiences and the industry overall in Mendoza, Argentina.
Get an insiders perspective about what its like to make wine in Argentina and what new and exciting happenings are in store.

REGISTER HERE

Please send any questions you would like to have answered during the call to emily@vinesofmendoza.com

You can participate via computer, telephone or twitter (@vinesofmendoza).

There will be a live chat for questions and comments.
We will also record the conversation  and share it as a podcast at www.vinesofmendoza.com.

Posted in Mendoza Bodegas, Vines Events | No Comments »


The Vines Full Moon Harvest at The Private Vineyard Estates

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Last night, by moonlight, Pablo, Michael, and some of The Vines Team harvested Merlot for The Vines wines under the full moon. An unusually warm night in the Uco Valley, Mendoza, we enjoyed a typical asado and began harvesting around 11:30pm, a new experience for most of us. While most of us chose to use the light of the moon to harvest the bunches of grapes, there were a few that were assisted by headlamps.

Overall we harvested about 208 kilos of Merlot which was then sorted and processed in the winery and will begin fermentation in a high tech 1,000 liter microvinification stainless steel tank. It was a beautiful evening full of music, laughter and stars and maybe a bit of moon magic mixed in.

Posted in Experiences, Private Vineyard Estates | No Comments »


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