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Life’s a picnic in Mendoza!

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

I love a good picnic. Maybe it’s something inherently English in me, but checkered blankets, wicker baskets and specially designed crockery send little shivers down my spine.

And Mendoza is the perfect place for a picnic – stunning mountain scenery, 350 sunny days a year and loads of great bottles to crack open upon your comfy picnic rug. How better to spend an afternoon than sipping cool Torrontes under olive trees and looking at the snow dusted Cordon del Plata? This might be my English picnic sentimentality creeping in here again… but here are some top spots for picnics in Mendoza:

Picnic in the Park

With a park the same size as the city, Parque San Martin is the quintessential picnic spot for Mendoza. I particular love to unroll my mat on the island in the middle of the lake – a nice shady spot, and not to mention that the strapping, handsome rowing team circling the lake make good viewing. The upcoming evening Jazz on the Lake (10 – 12 Feb) concerts are just begging to be accompanied by smoked salmon bagels and espumante…

Winery picnics: Alta Vista

The latest winery to add gourmet picnics to their offerings, this fab French winery now provides kitsch picnic sets with bento boxes filled with gourmet nibbles such as caramelized onion and mushroom puff pastry slices; eggplant, goat’s cheese and olive oil focaccia; and roast beef ciabatta. All in miniature size you can pick your way through three appetizers, three salads, three sandwiches and finally three desserts while accompanied by a couple glasses of Alta Vista wine. The view of the mountain range is just the icing on the cake! ** Alta Vista, Alzaga 3972, www.altavistawines.com $300 pesos for two people.

Potrerillos

This dam is pretty stunning. A sparkling big blue lake set against a mountain backdrop is idyllic for a picnic. Make sure you bring cushions and a wind breaker as the rocks are pretty hard and the wind picks up quite a bit in the afternoon making it quite the dining ‘al fresco’ experience. When the wind does get going, you can catch a few wind and kite surfers on the water.

Sausage rolls in the hot springs

Sitting in thermal springs with a glass of red and a picnic by your side is a pretty cool way to go. About an hour from Mendoza, Cachueta is a beautiful ravine with thermal springs running through it. Surrounded by the rugged Andes mountains you can park up on the road and scramble down the hillsides to have a picnic by the springs. The walk down is a pretty hair raising experience, but hot relaxing water awaits below, and hopefully the obligatory bottle of Malbec will give you some Dutch courage to get back up again!

 

Amanda Barnes is a British journalist living in Mendoza and content to find any excuse to bring out her cheese and ham sarnies for dining al fresco.

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Your Perfect December Solution- $10 Wines!

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

December is a very busy month for everyone- the mad rush to finally see everyone that you haven’t seen in the course of a year in the short space of a month. All in order to toast the year that is about to end. I personally like this concept and the hustle bustle of the season. It makes me smile and there seems to be an endless supply of champagne, or sparkling wine, which is never a bad thing either!

THE PERFECT GIFT- WINE!

The other great thing about the holiday season is that you not only get to receive gifts and thoughtful “somethings” from comrades, colleagues, friends and family, but you also get to give back as well. As I have been in the wine industry a long time, I naturally turn to wine as an easy escape route …to be honest it is a commodity that is a bit like flowers. Everyone is always happy to see it and it is never really necessary, so it’s one of those fun, guilty pleasures in life.

FOOD & WINE PAIRINGS

One of my other favorite pasttimes is cooking. I am sure you are like me in saying that I LOVE cooking for other people but when its just for myself, a grilled cheese with some tomato seems to do the trick (ok maybe with a sprinkle of  black truffle salt!).

This month I had some fun purusing the Food Network database, a favorite of mine to gain some meal time inspiration. I came across the site for $10 dollar dinners with Melissa D’Arabian. This is right up my alley for December when you are dashing about looking at your checking account balance decreasing daily … as you seem to remember more people to add to your holiday shopping list. I found a TON of recipes that are perfect, easy to make and best of all pair perfectly with The Vines $10 dollar wines!

$10 WINES!

Check out this page to see what $10 wines The Vines are offering. They are an unbeatable deal, cheaper than you could find when going to your corner grocery store and, plus, they land directly at your doorstep. These wines are perfect for the after holiday hangover- affordable yet indulgent, and you don’t have to feel guilty about dipping into your piggy bank for these wines.

Here is the full list, but a couple of my personal favorites are the Enrique Foster Ique which is light and fruity, the Serbal which is a bit more complex but really nicely balanced and the Ricomenciare Cab Franc blend. Try it – it will change your mind about the Cab Franc varietal!

So go forward, shop your feet (or fingers) off, but just make sure you have some good wines waiting for you when you get home to ease the pain!
WINE RECIPE
 1. Cantinian Malbec Mendoza 2009

2. Maia Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

3. Mi Terruno Reserve Malbec 2007

4. Serrera Syrah 2007

5. Mil Vientos Syrah 2006

6. Doña Elvira Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

7. Foster Pink Rose 2009

8. Santos Beck Vineyard Selection Malbec 2006

9. Gritos Estate Malbec 2008

10. Las Perdices Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

11. Serrera Malbec 2007

12. Melodia Merlot 2006

13. Caelum Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

14. Ricominiciare Malbec Cabernet Franc 2006

15. Sangre de los Andes Malbec 2009

16. Doña Elvira Reserva Malbec 2007

17. Enrique Foster Ique Malbec 2010

18. Serbal Malbec 2009

19. The Vines Malbec Rose Mendoza 2010

20. Ricominciare Cab. Franc Cab. Sauvignon 2006

  1. French Onion Soup

2. Succulent Braised Pork

3. Caprese Tartlets

4. Crispy Skinned Chiken a l’Orange

5. Lentil Quinoa Salad

6. Ratatouille

7. Salmon Cakes

8. Pork Carnitas

9. Huevos Rancheros

10. French Cut Steak

11. Herb Crusted Pork Loin

12. Roasted Chicken and Potatoes

13. Roasted Tomato Soup

14. Beef and Bechamel Lasagna

15. Grilled Mixed mushroom pizza

16. Crispy Potato Cake

17. Fish Skewers with Basil Chimichurri

18. Turkey Pad Thai

19. Antipasto platter

20. Roast Beef with Marsala Gravy

If you need any help with your holiday wine selections please contact Noelia at noelia@vinesofmendoza.com and she can make your holiday shopping amazingly simple!

 

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5 Questions with Marco Toriano and Bodega Cruzat Larrain

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Last Wednesday was a special Winemakers Night for us at The Vines, as we had winemaker Marco Toriano from Bodega Cruzat Larrain presenting his three gorgeous sparkling wines and they were each paired with a different tapas. We stole Marco away for a quick chat about fizz and Napoleon.

Tell us a bit about Cruzat Larrain and what is special about it…

“Our philosophy to keep the sparkling wine tradition and using the Champenoise method to make the wines. The owners have a winery in Chile and produce high quality wines from there and decided to start making wines in Argentina – as they preferred the potential of the region. And they called Pedro Rossell, the father of sparkling wine here in Argentina, to make the wines – he understands the different terroirs really well that give us the opportunity for a state of art sparkling wine.”

We’ve all practiced tasting still wines but what’s the secret to tasting a sparkling wine?

“The difference is that you definitely don’t swirl! If you swirl you lose all the bubbles. Seeing the pearlage and crown is important to show that the wine is at the right temperature.”

Tonight there have been some great pairings with sparkling wines. What is your favourite Cruzat Larrain wine and what do you like to pair it with?

“I love the Rosado and I think one of the best pairings is with tenderloin steak because meat is the backbone of the of Argentine character and sparkling wine is the highlight of the wine industry -the King or Queen of wine. It’s a very good way to join the two cultures.”

What is your favorite aspect of drinking a bottle of fizz?

“The experience! I think Napoleon said “in victory you deserve champagne, when you are defeated you need champagne.” I share the same philosophy. With this style of sparkling wine it is enjoyable even by yourself with a good book and looking at the mountains.”

Each of your different wines are given an animal character on your website. If you were in the animal kingdom what would you be and why?

“I would be a bull because I like to know where I am standing before I move. Once I make my decision I move forward without doubt and always in fifth gear! But maybe I’d be a genetic cross with a pig because they get to enjoy all the material pleasures!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda Barnes is a British journalist who lives in Mendoza and cannot tear herself away from the mountains and Malbec.

Posted in Life in Mendoza, Mendoza Bodegas | No Comments »


Coming Soon: Pulenta Estate Gran Pinot Noir

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

 

We are often asked what some of our favorite wines or wineries are here in Mendoza and one of the wineries that always tops my list is Pulenta Estate. They offer wines across the board that please everyone from wine connoisseur to the novice that was just introduced to Malbec. They  consistently provide amazing value and every vintage is true to their winemaking philosophy.

We cannot wait to share the Pulenta Estate Gran Pinor Noir with you — it will hopefully be in the market soon. Pulenta numbers their great wines with simple roman numerals and you should now watch out for number XV!

This wine comes from a single vineyard in the Uco Valley, cuartel 23 in their Finca Los Alamos and was made to express the terroir. The grapes were handled very carefully to capture the delicate flavors and aromas that are emblematic to the very finicky Pinot Noir grape. They were treated with a two day cold maceration and then fermented in small open top stainless steel tanks with a manual punchdown. They were then transferred to French oak barrels where the wine aged for 9 months.

To make a splash for the release of this wine, we were treated to a lovely inauguration party at the winery, where the owners and winemakers were able to show and explain the new Gran Pinot Noir for their portfolio. They also showed the new vintage for their Malbec and capped off the evening with a succulent asado. The Pinot went perfectly with some of the best pork loin I have ever had!

To say the least, this is another great achievement for this very special winery. If you are coming to Mendoza, it is one of our top favorites to visit!

 

 

2010 Tasting Notes:

Delicate and aromatic with notes of strawberries lightly dusted with chocolate and caramel. The mouth is expressive with deep stone fruit, hints of earth and toast with lively acidity and structure. The finish is simply lovely with fruit lasting in your mouth like a good lollypop- you just want to keep drinking! This is a young wine and is sure to mature and develop even more layers and intricate flavors.

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


The Peña in Salta

Monday, December 5th, 2011

 

Salta and Cafayate are not only home to Argentina’s best fruity white wine, Torrontes, but also to the legendary Peña. One of Argentina’s best nights out, the Peña is part of your travels that can’t be missed. Some say the word Peña comes from wanting to drown your sorrows (or pains/peñas) with wine and music, while others say it comes from a native word to unite with brothers. Either way it works as this night of lively folklore music and plenty of local brew is sure to both numb the senses and unify people!

My first experience of a Peña was at the bohemian ‘La Casona del Molino’, an old mill building 10 minutes out of Salta city center which has been converted into a rather shabby looking bar. Five rooms in the round with a rustic bar propped up in the middle connecting patio, this is a real diamond in the rough – not for its mismatched, wobbly furniture, or rock bottom drink prices, but for the people that fill this place every night.

Gauchos in billowing pants with their large knives swaggering at the side pour into La Casona with an assortment of instruments slung over their shoulders. Picking any room, locals grab a stool and join in for a folk music jam session, improvising with others on the spot. Walking between the rooms you could end up at either side of the Argentine folkloric spectrum, from heart rendering wavering vocals being sung at the top of emotion filled lungs with solitary Spanish guitar, to foot tapping and thigh slapping alongside an energetic 10 piece band of all sorts.

As each rooms gets more and more packed, the music gets louder and louder with musicians competing to reign the sound waves over their neighboring room. This is a boisterous night that starts late and keeps going even later. So pick a room, take a seat, order a Fantvin like everyone else (orange Fanta mixed with red wine…) and enjoy the show. It’s sure to be one you will always remember!

 

 

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A Walking Tour of Mendoza: Within the City

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

San Martin Park-La Isla de Inmigrantes (Immigrant Island)

If you’re staying in Mendoza city center with an extra afternoon on your hands, it can be difficult to know where to start in exploring the city. While many of Mendoza’s main attractions, such as the lovely wineries, are located outside the city and require a rental car or a hired driver, here are a few sights you can see on foot.

San Martin Park:  El Parque de General San Martin itself is massive, but there’s a nice lake at the entrance of the park that is ideal for lounging with a bottle of wine, cheese and olives. You can also take a nice stroll around the lake with an ice cream from the Ferrucio Soppelsa truck parked nearby or sit on one of the benches in the rose garden and people-watch. The park is packed on Sunday afternoons as families and friends get together weekly to catch up with each other. The park begins at Avenida Boulogne Sur Mer.

Plaza de Independencia: After a massive earthquake struck decades ago, city planners constructed four plazas surrounding one main plaza, Plaza de Independencia, to give Mendocinos a refuge. Plaza de Independencia has a lovely main fountain as well as an assortment of vendors selling their craftwork during the evenings—the most popular night to go are Sundays. While Plaza de Independencia, as well as the four surrounding plazas now have the national guard  patrolling the area, it’s always best to avoid the plazas late at night.

Mercado Central: Located at Las Heras and Patricias Mendocinas, the Central Market is the oldest and biggest market in Mendoza, offering fresh fruits, vegetables and of course, meat. Word of caution to those with light stomachs. It’s not uncommon to see an entire pig carcass at the butchers. The Central Market can be a great place to stock up for a picnic in the park. There’s also a food court within the market for those who don’t do much cooking themselves.

Aristides: THE street to grab a beer, sit outside and enjoy life. The street is packed Wednesday through Sunday with people going out between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., but ordering a nice meat and cheese plate (called a picada) is a normal Saturday afternoon affair as well if you’re not accustomed to the late Argentinian schedule.

Cerro de La Gloria: Glory Hill is located within San Martin park, but its quite the hike from the entrance. If you enter the main gates of the park at Boulogne Sur Mer and Emilio Civit and keep walking a few miles, you will reach Mendoza’s zoo at the foot of Cerro de La Gloria. If you ascend the same hill, you’ll see Mendoza’s dedication to General San Martin, the “liberator” of Argentina, and his troops. If you’re not up for the walk, there are orange tour buses at the intersection of Sarmiento and 25 de Mayo in the center that give you a tour around the city, including to Cerro de La Gloria. To really immerse yourself in the culture, take the city bus 112 Zoologico on Line 3 at the same intersection—make sure you have $1.40 in change as the buses don’t accept bills.

In addition to these main sites, walking down the Sarmiento pedestrian path doing some shopping or grabbing souvenirs on Las Heras can be a great way to spend a relaxing, low-key afternoon. Look for our next post on close by daytrips from Mendoza—to the wineries, the mountains and beyond!

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Malbecs I am Thankful for – From Michael Evans

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

I am often asked which Malbecs are my favorites. So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share five Malbecs with you that I appreciate the most. For our friends outside of Argentina, these are great cold weather wines to pair with today’s turkey, comfort food and, of course, steak! Check them out and let us know what you think.

Pulenta Estate Malbec 2008 – $29 Every one of their wines is a great value for the price – they simply don’t make a bad wine.

Bressia Monteagrelo Malbec 2007 – $30 Walter Bressia is a true craftsman and gentleman — and it comes across in this wine

Laborum Malbec 2006 – $49 From up North in Salta – intense and rustic. Boom!

Lindaflor Malbec 2006 - $51

Our neighbors from across the street at Clos De Los Siete — the perfect balance of elegance and power by Michel Rolland.

And my favorite Malbec of all time:

Achaval-Ferrer Finca Bellavista $100

Ah, my friend Santiago — the magic that you pull from these old vines and into the bottle inspires and delights!

Happy Thanksgiving!


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Re-living Cabernet Sauvignon!

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

One of the usual questions that I am most frequently asked as a sommelier is: What is your favorite varietal, or favorite wine? The usual answer is I don’t have favorites… I love all wines and grape varietals when they are well made and you can enjoy their grape expression. Terroir often plays an important role here.

For example, Cabernet is very different in the Napa Valley from Cabernet in Argentina. When in Argentina, I would often chose a Malbec over a Cabernet, but in Napa, I chose Cabernet all the time. During my recent visit, I felt I rediscovered this grape in my palate and in my memory. From tasting the berries in Napa, I could tell that it is an environment where the grape shines and that there is great expertise in clones vineyard management and winemaking techniques.

As well as with Malbec in Argentina, with Cabernets in Napa you can enjoy all styles and ranges, from fruit forward and easy to rich bold and unforgettable Cabs!

I would like to share with you some of the Cabernets that were very memorable during my visit in Napa and also some Argentinian Cabernets that are worth to taste.

From Napa, US:

2009 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon US$70

Deep ruby red. Ripe black fruits dominate the aroma – cassis, blackberry, dark spicy notes and classic bell pepper. Red fruits open the palate then a solid dense core of mixed black fruit is detected. Structured tannins that need to be cellared but that you can start enjoying them now with a good food pairing. Nice persistency to the finish.

Robert Parker – 92-95 POINTS, Wine Advocate


2008 Mirror Cabernet Sauvignon- US$145

There is no doubt that as winemaker Rob Lawson explained, he has been able to capture the true flavors and regional character of the varietal by pairing New World technology with traditional techniques. The 2008 Mirror has aromas of blackberries, tobacco, dark fruit and spices.The palate is full with ripe and concentrated blackberries and black cherries. Its balanced acidity delivers a seamless harmony of fruit and tannins that integrate a clean and long lasting finish.

Robert Parker – 91 POINTS, Wine Advocate

2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia US$225

Dark in color. Rich aroma of mineral, baking spices, dark chocolate, graphite, and opulent plum and blackberry lead to a concentrated and balanced mouthfeel. Silky, well structured tannins, core black fruit and sweet oak notes from the estate vineyards create length and weight that will allow this beautiful wine to age, as well as remain approachable in its youth.

Robert Parker – 98 POINTS, Wine Advocate

Bond Quella Cabernet Sauvignon – US$345

A marvelous combination of blueberry liqueur intermixed with violets, earthy tobacco and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, majestically rich wine with a multilayered texture, silky tannins and a phenomenally long finish. Great aging potential.

Robert Parker – 97 POINTS, Wine Advocate

From Mendoza, Argentina:

Paul Hobbs is one example of a winemaker that has been able to showcase Cabernet’s true potential in Argentina. I think there is great opportunity for many other superior Cabernet Sauvignons in Argentina.

2005 BRAMARE MARCHIORI VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Deep garnet in color, this bold, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon boasts intense aromas of blackberry and red cherry. The palate is dense and complex, exploding with flavors of cassis, mocha and tobacco that are richly accented with notes of smoke and earth. The silky mouthfeel is supported by fine, well integrated tannins that persist through the long finish.

Robert Parker – 94 POINTS, Wine Advocate.

2005 COBOS NICO 2005 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Malbec

A vey refined, classic cedar and pencil-shaving nose. The fruit is extremely ripe and silky, but it retains that vigor and muscle. In the palate rich black fruit and well-integrated oak create a perfect balance. Rich and bold tannins together with its good acidity allow you to enjoy a real long finish.

Robert Parker – 98 POINTS, Wine Advocate.

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Winemakers Night with Mairena

Friday, October 7th, 2011

 

Monica Blanco, Rudolfo Menissi, Gabriel Blanco, Ricardo Menissi

The Vines of Mendoza hosts Winemaker’s Night every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. so wine aficionados can learn more about the history, techniques and vision of local wineries. Hosted in the outdoor patio tasting room, Argentinians and passing tourists alike can enjoy tasting some of the best local wines with the winemakers themselves. This past Wednesday, Gabriel and Mónica Blanco, who own and produce Mairena wines were our special guests, along with oenologists Rudolfo and Ricardo Menissi.

The Mairena Story: The Blanco Family is a full-fledged family winery. Of Spanish descent, the Blanco family wine production involves three generations, including Gabriel and Mónica and their five sons and daughters. In fact, the winery’s label Mairena comes straight from the family. Mónica Blanco wanted to name her fifth child Mairena, which is actually the name of a small pueblo in Southern Spain near the Sierra Nevadas. However, unlike other countries in which you can name your child whatever you like, Argentina only allows parents to name their child if the name is listed in a “permitted names book.” Unfortunately for the Blancos, Mairena had to be discarded. However, when they were considering the name for the wine label, they decided on Mairena because “they would take care of the wine like a child.”

Although the winery took up the family grape-growing tradition in the 1980s, it wasn’t until 2005 that the family was able to realize their dream of bottling their own wines. Starting with Malbec and Bonarda in 2005, Sauvignon Blanc in 2007, Torrontes in 2009, the family uses all of their own grapes except for the white Torrontes grapes they buy from Cafayate.

Winemaking Process: The family is in the process of constructing their own winery expected to be completed by 2012. All of the fields are located in Ugarteche, Lujan de Cuyo, which borders Valle de Uco, separated only by a hill between Lujan and Tupungato. This proximity gives the Mairena wines similar qualities to wines from Valle de Uco.

Ugarteche has an average height of 970 m, above sea level. The soil is sandy loam and its uneven nature favors isolation, which makes the land and excellent place for planting grapes. Additionally, the micro climate has a wide temperature, reaching 30 degrees Celsius during the day and dropping to 15 degrees Celsius at night. The winery uses a drip irrigation system and anti-hail nets.

Wine Tasting:

Mairena Torrontes 2011: It’s been just two years since the family began producing Torrontes from white wine grapes from Cafayate, Salta. This wine is expressive, explosive and fruity with a pale green and silver color. $38 pesos/$12 US dollars

Mairena Sauvignon Blanc 2011: A lemon-green color,  this Sauvignon is fresh and agreeable in the mouth and has fresh aroma notes of pineapple, grass, and citric fruits. It was noted during the tasting that is has a hint of ruda, which is commonly recognized in Sauvignon Blancs. Ruda is an Argentinean plant with a strong odor. In fact, the family says that it only ripens its Sauvignon Blanc grapes 80% so the wine will not lose its citric notes to this strong scent. With a short finish, this light and lively wine would pair well with sushi, ceviche, cheeses or enjoyed as an aperitif. $38 pesos/$12 US dollars

Mairena Malbec 2010:  A beautiful violet color, this Malbec maintains red fruit and plum primary colors as its complimented with secondary aromas of chocolate, coffee and cinnamon. Very delicate with smooth tannins that fill the mouth. Oak staves are inserted into the wine to create this elegant and feminine Malbec.~$45 pesos/$15 US dollars

Mairena Bonarda 2010: A deep violet characteristic of the Bonarda varietal, this wine has aroma hints of red fruits and blackberries as well as coffee and tobacco. As a single varietal, this Bonarda has lots of potential. $19 US dollars

Mairena Blend Reserve (30% Bonarda, 70% Malbec): When the family began making their own wine in 2005, Gabriel wanted to differentiate his family’s winery by focusing on Bonarda. The Menissi brothers insisted on taking advantage of Argentina’s powerhouse Malbec grape. So they decided to do both. This blend captures the family’s two opening stars with cherry and plum notes from the Malbec and raspberries from the Bonarda. Complex, balanced and pleasant with a slight sweet flavor and mild tannins. $90 pesos/ $39 U.S. dollars

Interesting Fact: Adding to the family bodega concept, Mairena’s two oenologists, Rudolfo and Ricardo Menissi, are brothers.

Winemaker Quotation: “You have to make what the market demands. But you also have to provide high quality,” said Gabriel Blanco.

Winemaker Night at The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room | 7-9pm every Wednesday | $40 pesos  

 

Posted in Behind the bottle, Experiences, Life in Mendoza, Mendoza Bodegas, Photos, Tasting Notes, Uncategorized, Vines Events | No Comments »


The “greenest” winery in the world

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Visiting the UC Davis winery was a great experience, and while talking with Fernando Buscema I realized how true it is that the wine industry needs to think green if it wants to succeed in the future.

If you ask me, I would say wine is a part of my food pyramid :) ! However, as Fernando very well explains, if water and energy are scarce resources in the future, no doubt the wine industry will have to struggle to compete with the basic foods.

So UC Davis winery is the first of its kind to receive LEED Platinum certification, the highest rating for environmental design and construction, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.)

Here is what it takes for it to be Leed certified:

* This sustainable winery building has a large-capacity system for capturing rainwater and conserving processing water. The stored rainwater will be used for landscaping and toilets.

* The winery also has been designed to capture carbon dioxide, a natural byproduct of fermentation, from a port in each of the new fermentors. An innovative process is used to remove the carbon dioxide from the winery, reducing the building’s energy requirements for air quality and temperature control, making it possible to sequester the captured carbon dioxide so that it will not contribute to global warming.

* Other environmentally responsible features include maximum use of natural light, rooftop photovoltaic cells to provide all of the facility’s power at peak load, new food-processing equipment that minimizes energy and water requirements, use of recycled glass in the flooring, interior paneling recycled from a 1928 wooden aqueduct, and use of lumber harvested from sustainably certified forest operations.

Another really interesting aspect is the technology applied in each of their small fermentors.The facility has what is believed to be the world’s first wireless wine-fermentation system, a multimillion dollar assembly of 152 wireless grape fermentors, designed, fabricated and donated by a team of research engineers led by T.J. Rodgers, the founder, president and chief executive officer of San Jose, Calif.-based Cypress Semiconductor.

Each of the 200-liter, electro-polished, stainless steel fermentors is individually equipped for automated control of temperature and the “pump-over” process, controlling two of the most important factors in determining final wine characteristics and quality.The new fermentor sensors frequently and precisely extract and transmit sugar-concentration data from white and red fermentations across a wireless network. Data from the sensors can be generated every 15 minutes with a precision of 0.25 Brix, a measure of sugar content.

I have to say that although I did not taste any wine in this winery, it was without any doubt one of the highlights of my wine trip to California. It is good to have young professionals like Fernando who are thinking green and who can help Argentina to understand the importance of applying sustainable concepts while making outstanding wine

 

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