The Vines of Mendoza | Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Vines of Mendoza’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »


Vinos y Tapas Night at the Park Hyatt

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect about the Vinos y Tapas at The Vines Bar and Vinoteca at the Park Hyatt. It can be  intimidating enough mingling at social events without factoring in the language barrier.

HOWEVER, last Thursday night was quite a pleasant surprise. My boyfriend and I walked in fashionably late at 8:15 (yes, very early by Argentine standards) and grabbed a table strategically situated equidistant between the kitchen and the bar. If I had arrived slightly earlier, I would’ve tried to snag the couch (I love how Argentina has incorporated the sofa into the bar atmosphere) and if it were slightly warmer, the beautifully lit outside patio.

To dispel any misconceptions you might have, let me give you my take on the event.

1. The event is classy, but no cocktail attire required. I know that especially when I’m traveling, clothing choices are limited, but don’t miss the event just because you didn’t bring your heels. Jeans and a nice top will suffice.

2. There’s a mix of people from all different countries and all different backgrounds–everyone from expats who’ve lived in Mendoza for years to backpackers just passing through so no need to feel self-conscious if you don’t speak much Spanish. 3. The atmosphere is very relaxed. If you feel like mingling with other people, there are plenty of people around at the bar or outside ready to swap stories. If you’ve had a long day and just feel like relaxing with your glass of wine and tapas, that’s fine too.  4. And finally, tapas can mean many things. In the case of the Park Hyatt, it means a variety of delicious and hearty tapas being served by waiters without end. Be sure not to make dinner plans for afterwards as you will definitely be full. Waiters will serve you to your heart’s content.

To give you an idea of the menu:

-2 glasses of wine from Bodega Catena Zapata

-Mushroom and chicken quesadillas

-Lentil soup

-Veal brochette

-Cheese and apricot on toasted bread

-Parmesan cheese biscuits

I left at 10 p.m. since I was leaving for Peru the next day, but the waiters were still circulating and guests were still happily chatting, eating and drinking at their leisure. A great idea and value (only 55 pesos) for your Thursday night!

Posted in Experiences, Life in Mendoza, Mendoza Bodegas, Photos, Vines Events | No Comments »


Birthdays in Mendoza

Saturday, July 30th, 2011

Celebrating birthdays in Mendoza can be challenging to organize. First of all because the Mendocinos are soooo laid back that it is impossible to get an rsvp soon enough to plan the menu for the big day. Therefore sometimes you end up with more guests than
you thought and one of your brothers will run to get more food and drinks. The typical birthday in Mendoza, when you are in your twenties, is celebrated in a family house where friends, family and friends of friends are invited. So, the normal and easiest menu
at a birthday party comprises empanadas and pizza, or empanadas and “sanguchitos de peceto” (eye round beef sandwiches) served with the usual ingredients that are: lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mayonnaise (yes, argentines love mayonnaise in their sandwiches,
like gringos like pickles, ick to both of them), avocados, etc.

But as time goes by and people add more candles to the birthday cake, the menu changes and gets more sophisticated. The other thing that also changes is that you only invite your best friends, the people that you want to be with on that special day. Some years you through a party, others you go out to a fancy restaurant, and some day you cook for your friends.

Yesterday, it was my dear friend Emily`s birthday and she, thank god, decided to cook an Italian meal for a few friends, including me. Since almost 60% of the Argentine population is of Italian origin, it wasn’t at all difficult to find the necessary ingredients.
Mendoza offers the best produce to cook Italian; you only need imagination and much love to cook them. And, as strange as it may sound, there are not many good Italian restaurants in the city. Anyway, I must say, I was very impressed by the simplicity with
which Ale (another friend) decorated the loft; it looked like a real trattoria in Tuscany. Elegance is the word that comes first to my mind. We started with a nice platter of cheese, salami and prosciutto, served with a nice Pinot from Napa. Shhh!!! I know, but
the Italian wine went with the main course; it is hard to find imported wine in Mendoza.

Finally, the main course, the so expected Lasagna was ready. It was made with fresh pasta, spinach, good cheese, Bolognese (cooked two days in advance, yums!!) and béchamel sauce. It was absolutely flawless, like an explosion of perfectly balanced
flavors in your mouth. It makes me crave for the leftovers while I write these lines. We all sat down in different tables arranged throughout the loft with candle lights to enjoy Emily´s creation with, yes, the Italian wine, Ruffino, I think it was Chianti. By the end, to add some “azúcar” to the night, we had a panacotta served with fresh strawberries and basil (I added some fresh ground pepper which it paired very well), and a tiramisu.

A memorable night with good friends, great food and incredible wines that will remain in my senses for a long time.



 Julia Bermejo Hilger is a trained chef currently getting her degree in English translation. You can often find her at The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room where she can educate her with her vast knowledge of the Mendoza wine region and anecdotes of the personalities that lie within.

Posted in Experiences, Life in Mendoza | No Comments »


Winemaker’s Night: Chacra from Rio Negro, Patagonia!

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Learning the history about Bodega Chacra is like following the royal wedding. It’s historical, exclusive, but most of all, classy.

To start, the owner, Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, hails from one of the most esteemed winemaking families in Italy.  The family winery produces the stunning Sassacaia wines, a European wine that broke the mold of what world class wine is made of and the traditions that surround it. Click here to learn more about how Piero’s grandfather, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, went from making excellent wine for just his family to owning the only single winery DOC in Italy.

Secondly, Chacra only makes four different wines, three Pinot Noirs and one Merlot: Barda, a blend of their Pinot Noirs; Chacra Treinta y Dos and Chacra Cincuenta y Cinco, both Pinot Noirs; and finally, Mainque, the sole Merlot. Each of these bottles carries a price tag between 160 pesos (Barda) to more than 400 pesos. These high-end wines are so in-demand that Chacra lovers must pre-order to ensure the wines aren’t sold out.

Finally, although we did not meet Piero last night, you can tell by hearing how he runs his bodega and his philosophy about the wine, that he’s a classy guy. Read this excerpt from Laura Catena’s interview with Piero in An Insider’s Guide to the Wines and Wine Country of Argentina:

“Today at our winery in Chacra, we have a traditional artisanal approach to winemaking. We do pretty much everything by hand–we prune, harvest and de-stem by hand; we vinify without machinery or steel; and most of the time we decant by gravity. Chacra is not a conventional business; it’s a passion, a personal folly…Our goal is to keep producing single-vineyard biodynamic wines that are of consequence, as we believe that our terroir is capable of yielding wines that are unique in character.”

As an added bonus, next-door neighbor Bodega Noemia, which Chacra considers its “cousin” winery (which produces Malbec) is owned by the renowned Dutch winemaker Hans Vinding-Diers and Italian Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano.

We tasted a 2009 Barda and then compared a 2009 Chacra Cincuenta y Cinco to a 2010 Chacra Cincuenta y Cinco. Read Vines of Mendoza blogger Emily Camblin’s recent blog review on these wines and her visit to Bodega Chacra.

Carolyn is a newcomer to Mendoza and the wine industry and will be sharing her experiences as she learns more about both, as well as giving updates about local events.  A recent college graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she also teaches English at a local university.

Posted in Photos, Tasting Notes, Uncategorized, Vines Events | No Comments »


Mendoza Restaurant Profile: FARRAH

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

 

RESTAURANT FARRAH

There is a new option in Mendoza for exquisite dishes and a beautiful atmosphere. The restaurant is a full family affair with 4 bothers and sisters as well as their mother, in on the act.The Chef, Belen, will often leave the kitchen to talk with you and make suggestions, explaining all of her creations. Her sister Pamela, the sommelier, can explain all the nuances to the wines and make suggestions as to what would pair best with your meal. You can also ask her about guided tastings and workshops as well including wine pairings, sensory tastings,  Behind the scenes Natalia, Emilio and Nidia make sure you are greeted warmly at the door and that everything operates in top form.

The theme cocina de autor, basically chef’s kitchen, is quite popular in Buenos Aires but has not yet quite hit Mendoza, however Farrah is one of the exceptions to this rule. Each room is designed around wine and has eccletic and charming accents, from the chandeliers to the fabrics and colors. The rooftop deck is perfect for relaxed dining under the stars and you can pick your bottle of wine or artisanal beer from their wine cellar…now I just have to wait until its a bit warmer here to indulge!

We had an amazing meal, tasting through many of their delectable dishes that included a tasting menu of different empanadas, a flatbread with green apples, sweetbreads and blue cheese, followed by incredible homemade pastas. You will not be disappointed at this cozy new spot located in the Quinta section of Mendoza.

Bon appetit!

 

Reservas 0261 4239981 -  153688574
Paso de los Andes 1006 esq. Julio A. Roca – Cdad – Mza

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

Posted in Life in Mendoza | No Comments »


The New Architectural Wine Tour in Mendoza

Monday, July 11th, 2011

 

 

BORMIDA AND YANZON

Bormida and Yanzon are the premier architects in Mendoza, creating iconic modern wineries, each with a distinctive personality and a work of art in its own right. They are also The Vines favored architect, having designed not only our Tasting Room, Vinoteca & Winebar in the Park Hyatt, The Vines Bodega, but also The Vines Resort & Spa which is scheduled to be open in 2012!!

The guide consists of 14 wineries you are able to tour the different wine regions of Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley in Mendoza, tasting the best the region has to offer.  As art and architecture often go hand in hand with wine, you are now able to satisfy all of our senses with beauty, food and wine, as most of these world class wineries offer in-house restaurants.

Click here to download the new Wine Architechture Guide from Bormida y Yanzon

So off you go, print your map, hire a car and hit the wine roads for a fun day of art, architecture and wine!

The bodegas included are:

1. Navarro Correas -This modern winery is located only 10 kilometers from downtown Mendoza and offers both warmth and the best of modern technology. The architecture is such that it is meant to accentuate the landscape and the foothills of the Andes that are close in proximity. Descend into their subterranean cellar that houses 5,500 barrels with impressive tasting rooms and reception.

2. Nieto Senetiner – Founded in 1888 when Italian immigrants established the first vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo. The winery was developed by different families that built it with the architecture that can be seen today. In 1969, the Nieto Senetiner family acquired the winery and implemented modern technology and improvements for making high end wines. They now produce still witness that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah as well as sparkling wines.

3. Vistalba – A descendant of one of Argentina’s most prominent winemaking families, Carlos Pulenta made his name as the president of the Salentein winery. In 2003, Pulenta ventured out on his own to create a cutting-edge winery that uses every technological advancement available to produce wines of exceptional quality.

4. La Bourgogne – One of the premier restaurants in Mendoza, La Bourgogne with famed chef Jean-Paul Bondoux, he creates menus utilizing fresh local ingredients for regionally authentic dishes in a laid back yet sophisticated atmosphere.

5. Dante Robino – Dante Robino was born in 1885 in Canelli, a small town in northwest Italy’s Piemonte Region. He immigrated to Argentina and in 1920 established the Dante Robino winery in Lujan de Cuyo. Now the Squassini family owns and operates this winery since 1982, combining technology and modern winemaking techniques with sustainable farming methods.

6. Norton – One of Argentina’s leading and most historic wineries, it was founded in 1895 by English engineer Edmund James Palmer Norton, who was building the railroad between Mendoza and Chile. In 1991 Michael Halstrick revamped the winery for modern growth and development and was awarded Best Wine Producer of the Year in 2004 by La Nación and in 2006 Wine Spectator named it as one of the top 20 wineries in the world.

7. Septima – In addition to an impressive view of the Andes, the Séptima winery’s original architecture — which showcases the Huarpe Indian “pirca” stone-laying technique — makes this Mendoza bodega a noteworthy stop.

8. Dolium – The word “dolium” is Latin for amphora, the distinctive bottles that the classical Greeks and Romans used to store wine. Like the Romans, who kept wines underground at a constant temperature throughout the year, Dolium is the first underground winery in Argentina to combine such ancient traditions with modern technology. Under the direction of Mario Giadorou, a mechanical engineer with a distinguished background in private industry before turning his attention to the production of fine wine in 1997, this high tech and state of art winery was established.

9. Pulenta Estate – Brother to Carlos Pulenta, Eduardo Pulenta has up’ed the anty with his cutting edge winery that eminates both casual elegance and high technology. The beautiful concrete construction can be seen on the informative tour and is followed by an impressive tasting. This is one of our favorite Mendoza producers- we’ve never met a Pulenta Estate wine that we didn’t like.

10. Atamisque – The Bodega Atamisque was founded by a french couple John and Chantal de Monceau on a historic farming estancia, building a winery on the property in honor of Chantals’ grandfather, who was a winemaker in Burgundy, France. TAking all of the elements of nature as seen in the architecture of the winery as well as in the wines, you can visit this elegant and high tech winery situated amongst natures most beautiful elements.

11. Salentein – Situated in the middle of 455 hectares of vineyards below the eastern slopes of the Andes, Salentein is a massive, concrete and steel harbinger of the future of Argentine wine. With annual production exceeding 1 million bottles, the winery is known for classical varietals, old vine preservation, and European production methods that yield world-class wines.

12. Killka – Killka was designed as a cultural space where the visitor can experience everything that is related to viticulture as well as enjoy an extensive collection of modern art from Argentina and Holland. This space unites wine and art in an architectural space uniquely created for this very experience.

13. Diamandes – In 2005, the Bonnie, proprietors of Château Malartic-Lagravière (Grand Cru Classé de Graves) and Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac- Léognan) decided to broaden their horizons and now have 130 hectáreas with their first harvest in 2007.
The winery was designed by prestigious local architects Bormida and Yanzon and recently won best winery architecture for the contest “Best of Wine Tourism in 2011″ organized by Great Wine Capitals.

14. O’Fournier – Spanish company O Fournier built this temple to gravity-only winemaking in homage to its resident winemaker. It is worth the trip to Valle de Uco to see this marvel of architecture and technology and to taste award-winning Tempranillo blends.
The winery has a capacity of 600,000 litres in stainless steel, oak and cement housed some of the most unique architecture in the Mendoza province.

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


Winter Time!

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Winter Time!!!

As much as we refuse to accept it, winter has arrived in Mendoza. And Mendocinos, I guess, like to complain about the cold weather, especially because everything slows down more than usual. It seems like time stops, people don’t go out as much and instead stay at home. But the truth is that we have a very short winter, and luckily Mendoza is the land of the sun, with an average of 320 sunny days a year. So stop complaining and let’s start enjoying this season that provides the perfect excuse to eat, drink and gorge ourselves with those delightful dishes we have inherited from our Spanish ancestors.

We can´t talk about the gastronomy of Mendoza without first taking a quick glance at its history.

The culinary identity and tradition of every city is related to the character and nature of the people that live in it. Mendoza is one of the oldest cities of Argentina. Colonizers came first from Spain, and in the late 1800s there was a big Italian immigration. People settled here and with them they brought all their tradition, from vines and olive trees, to orchards, and more importantly, their culinary tradition, which was a way of preserving their identity. The Mendocinos never questioned what they were eating, they just did.

Luckily, there has been a global twist in gastronomy and, nowadays, people of all ages are starting to enjoy food and demanding better quality and service. New chefs arrived and cooking institutes appeared bringing with them a new “way” of cooking and reviving old traditional recipes from Mendoza. The process started by appreciating our local produce and applying new techniques. The result was a number of different fusion dishes like baby goat ravioli, “morcilla” empanadas (blood sausage), etc.

Now, let’s go back to tradition and begin with the star of the south of Mendoza.

“EL CHIVITO,” or baby goat, is the king of the province. There is even a “GOAT FESTIVAL” every year where they cook over 1000 chivitos “a la llama” (cooked over wood flames). Last year, the festival entered the Guinness book with a record of 1,011 chivitos. This meat stands out for its gamey herbal flavour and there are many ways of cooking it: stewed, grilled, roasted, flamed. Francis Mallman´s 1884 restaurant at Escorihuela Winery offers a great version of it. It is even better if you pair it with a robust Malbec from the region, or a sophisticated blend.

To follow, there is also the excellent quality of goat cheeses from the area and almost every decent restaurant serves them. It is a great companion for salad or roasted veggies. This time of the year, goat cheese is exceptionally good if served with a roasted squash salad, quiche or simply on a toast with olive oil. Better if paired with an oak-less red. If you are more courageous and want to try it as a dessert, try it paired with the typical preserves form the area like figs in syrup or alcayota (spaghetti squash in syrup). Please drink a big structured chardonnay with this dessert.

Tomaticán, is a starter or side dish made with those emblematic sweet and aromatic tomatoes from Mendoza, spring onions and topped with a poached egg. A fresh traditional family dish, if you see it on a menu do not hesitate, try this one with a fresh fruity white wine like a Viognier, or Pinot Gris.

Humita en chala, or tamales, probably inherited from our neighbours from the other side of the wall, i.e., Chileans, are a nice option as a starter if you are vegetarian.

The perfect starters, the ambassadors of Mendoza, are our empanadas.

Recognized, flattered and vain, you can find them almost everywhere, and with some variations. The best ones are the homemade empanadas you find in the country side. Some chefs in town have done a great job finding old recipes from their mothers and grandmothers and have achieved some good and honourable examples for restaurant patrons. Empanadas are a perfect pairing for local reds, and, as strange as it may sound, they make a good pairing for the blooming Torrontés.

To finish, try “tabletón Mendocino,” a pastry filled with dulce de leche. Or, if you are lucky and find a menu that has Ambrosía or Huevos Quimbo, do not be afraid of the calories and pair it with a late harvest white wine.

Mendoza and Mendocinos are changing, and more importantly learning and trying new things. Hopefully, they will stay on this train.

Julia Bermejo Hilger is a trained chef currently getting her degree in English translation. You can often find her at The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room where she can educate her with her vast knowledge of the Mendoza wine region and anecdotes of the personalities that lie within.

For recipe ideas be sure to check out From Argentina With Love by Rebecca Caro, she is a master in the kitchen as well.

Posted in Experiences, Life in Mendoza | No Comments »


Summer… where have you gone?

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

It is almost the official kickoff to summer in the northern hemisphere, the Summer Solstice! Warm days full of light and activity- perfect for finally kicking back and drinking some wine.
The Vines is here to help with 25% off all of our delectable Argentine varieties.

Whether it be on your back porch, friends couch, or garden table
all of these wines at 25% off are perfect for any setting!

**Promotion valid for shipments within the US only. To ship gifts to multiple addresses please 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 Promotions | No Comments »


Pruning 101- Private Vineyard Estates

Monday, June 13th, 2011

We are now in the midst of winter with the golden leaves falling off the trees and vines, temperatures dropping, and the ski season just about to open in Las Lenas. Its always a bit odd to say that for me, someone who has spent the majority of my life with June signaling the beginning of summer but here we are in our winter coats.

It is also the time in the vineyards when the vines become dormant and we begin the pruning process in order to get the vines ready for the next growing season. As we have vines that range from 1 year to 5 years old on the property, they are all at different phases of the overall training process. In the first two years it is critical to establish the trunk and the cordons that then become the permanent structure and support the buds and canes that then flower and become grapes. Once they have reached 3 years old the permanent part of the vines, the trunk and the cordons, have been established.

We use a single curtain, vertical shoot positioning system with a bilateral cordon. This system allows us to optimize sunlight and achieve high quality with low yields.

Below is a great video by The Vines agronomist Francisco Evangelista who explains the philosophy behind pruning as well as the techniques used in our own Private Vineyard Estates in the Uco Valley.

Overall Pruning the vines can be defined as “the removal of plant parts to obtain horticultural objectives”.

These objectives include:
- Controlling the size & form of the grapevine.

- Optimize the production potential of the grapevine.

- Maintain a balance between vegetative growth and fruiting.

Training the grapevines on the other hand optimizes the utilization of sunlight and promotes productivity.

- Adapts to the characteristics of the grape cultivar.

- Promotes efficient & sustainable vineyard management practices.

Posted in Private Vineyard Estates, Videos | 1 Comment »


Celebrate with $10 wines!

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

In celebration of completing 10,000 orders from our online Wine Shop, we are offering :

20 wines for only $10 each
Or purchase 12 bottles for $100

This golden ticket offers you admittance to this celebration on the following wines!
Bodega del Genio Malbec 2006

Cantinian Malbec 2009

Cavas de Crianza Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Doña Elvira Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Foster Pink Rosé 2009

Perpetuum Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Hacienda del Plata Arrieros Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Inizio Reserva Malbec 2006

Las Perdices Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Maia Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Maia Malbec 2006

Mairena Malbec 2005

Melodía Merlot 2006

Mi Terruno Reserva Malbec 2007

Mil Vientos Malbec 2007

Mil Vientos Syrah 2006

Gimenez Riili Perpetuum Espumante 2008

Santos Beck Malbec 2006
Serrera Malbec 2007

Serrera Syrah 2007

CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING

*For case purchases (12 bottles) please use the promo code goldenticket when checking out.

Posted in In the News, Promotions | No Comments »


The Vines 2011 Harvest

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

We finished our last harvest on Friday at The Vines Private Vineyard Estate with all of the staff on hand to bring in the last of the grapes. It has been a very busy season with owners, guests and of course the grapes and wine that we have made over the last few months. We started on March 1 and finished on April 29th. The cellar crew at the winery has had their hands extremely full but we are extremely pleased with the grape quality and the wines!

Here is the rundown for our harvest.

COSECHA 2011
The grapes were harvested from 280 acres or 113 hectares

240,000 Kg (265 tons) of grapes were processed at the winery
18,160 bins of grapes went through the hand selection process at the sorting table
160,000 Kg were of Malbec (2/3 of the total)
7%  were of white varietals
1% was of our own Torrontes
16 different varieties in total

10,500 bins of grapes were sold to 6 premium wineries including: Monteviejo, Achaval Ferrer, La Rural.

The harvest lasted 59 days in total, 39 days of harvest

9,500 Kg (20,943 lb) was the average amount harvested per day
19,000 Kg (41,887 lb) was the most we harvested in one day
Over 60 people worked in the harvest

But the work is not over as we have over 160 different microfermentations in the winery!

Posted in Harvest Diary, Private Vineyard Estates | 1 Comment »


« Older Entries
Newer Entries »