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COSECHA 2010 | Conference Call | Sign Up Now!

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

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

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 Experiences, Private Vineyard Estates | No Comments »


South African Wine Tasting at The Vines

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

We are surrounded by Malbec, Torrontes, and all Argentine wines, all the time. Last Friday, we had the distinct pleasure to host a tasting organized by Wines of South Africa to learn more about our Southern Hemisphere sister and her wines.

A group of prominent sommeliers and winemakers from Mendoza were on hand to learn about the growing wine regions of South Africa and what makes their wines special. For me it is infinitely amazing to see how different wine varietals are expressed so differently dependant in the terroir and growing conditions.

We started out with a sparking from Graham Beck made from 100% Chardonnay which was rich with yeasty aromas, hints for clean lime, persistent bubbles in the mouth, lots of apple and pear and a lovely finish.

Next up was a Sauvignon Blanc from Elim called the Weathergirl, 2008. Really typical varietal flavors of herbs, grass, pear, and apple, it was bright with acidity and character.

The star of the night was the 2008 Forrester Meinert Chenin Blanc (FMC) and surprisingly it had 12.8 grams of residual sugar. This means that it should taste sweet on the mouth, yet the acidity and balance of this wine, made the sugar blend into a balanced wine throughout the mouth with fragrant aromas and a lingering finish.

The reds were comprised of a 2007 pinotage made by an ‘estate’ (which is the English for ‘Landgoed’) named Groot Constantia, 2007 de Trafford Shiraz from Stellenbosch, 2008 The Chocolate Block from Boekenhoutskloof, based in Franschhoek69% Syrah, 12% Grenache Noir, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cinsault, 2% Viognier) the Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005 from Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch.

The amount of varietals that are planted in South Africa is impressive with many Rhone varietals and the popular Pinotage. Host, Meryl Weaver gave a comprehensive overview of the different wine regions of South Africa as well as some of the history of the industry. Like Argentina, they have been greatly affected by the effect of foreign technology and investment in the last 1990′s with political restructuring help from Nelson Mandela. Today the country is much more peaceful and we look forward to seeing more of what South Africa has to offer!

Posted in Experiences, Tasting Notes | 2 Comments »


MARCH | FREE SHIPPING!

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Be sure to take advantage of The Vines March Madness- Free Shipping on orders of $150 or more!

Increase your cool factor by tossing around the words Malbec and Torrontes and your friends will be in awe of your substantial wine knowledge. Order for your friends, family, summer BBQ’s, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, cousin’s sons birthday…the list is endless.

It never hurts to have crazy amazing wine on hand- wines that won’t cost you a gazillion dollars and wine that doesn’t make you look like the schmuck that forgot to buy a present and you went to the local gas station to buy wine for the night.

Just visit www.vinesofmendoza.com to take advantage!

Happy drinking!

Posted in In the News | No Comments »


The Vines Bodega’s Inauguration!

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Yesterday was both a momentous and emotional day for The Vines of Mendoza team and Private Vineyard Estate owners. We harvested our first red grapes of the 2010 harvest and even more importantly the first in our new bodega. The last four years seem to have flown by and to see the machines in action processing the grapes was to realize all of our dreams, all of the hard work that has gone into the project and the team that has made it all happen. There were several owners on hand to witness the harvest and we were all overcome by the potential of what we have in store for all of our Private Vineyard Estate owners.

We harvested by hand, 1,100 kilos of Merlot at 25.5 degrees brix. Gustavo, the red wine winemaker for Mondavi, here visiting his friend Wandyr, whose Merlot we processed today, was impressed by the Merlot, telling me that they can’t get the flavor, sugar and mature seed development in California as we have achieved with our Merlot in the Uco Valley. Santiago Achaval, our consulting winemaker, was also on hand and was very happy with how the grapes are maturing and even got in on the action, sorting grapes with the team!

Congratulations to everyone on an amazing beginning to the 2010 Cosecha!

Posted in Experiences, In the News, Photos, Private Vineyard Estates | No Comments »


The Chilean Wine Industry After the Earthquake

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Last Friday many of us here in Mendoza were woken by the earthquake that hit the coast of Chile and then dispated across the Andes, but still resonated for about a minute and a half in Mendoza city. There was no damage in Mendoza, however we would send our best wishes to our companeros in Chile, especially as we are entering the harvest and there was significant damage to many wineries. We have received word from friends and collegues in Chile and we wanted to share some of their insights as well as provide  information if you would like to donate to help those in need.

This is an update from Liz Caskey who is based in Santiago, Chile

Eatwineblog.com

Dear Friends and Family,

I want to truly thank you for your continued support during these tough times in Chile. It has been so wonderful to hear from you all through calls and e-mail as Chile deals with the aftermath of the quake. We appreciate your prayers and thoughts.

To give you an update, now 5 days from Saturday’s devastating events, things in Santiago are thankfully normal, as in much of the country. As you know, with Chile’s long geography, the majority of the country is functioning perfectly normal with the exception of the affected areas within 100 miles of the Concepción area and the coastline hit by the tsunami. While the news images continue to show looting, please know that the military, Red Cross, and many volunteers have already arrived with food, water, and aid. Electricity and communications are being restored as we speak to these areas. This Friday, there is a huge drive, Teletón, raise millions of dollars to provide temporary housing for every family who lost their home. There is a sense of real solidarity here. The of light of hope has appeared for these people. The next huge step is reconstruction.

The wine industry here did suffer some serious losses of inventory and damage to facilities, mostly in the regions of the Maule, Curicó, and some areas of Colchagua. Others escaped completely unscraped. I will be posting later this week with a full update since many of you have asked. It is a complex situation since harvest is due to start any day and vintners trying to manage where they will make the 2010 vintage in some cases.

Many of you have also requested information on how you can contribute to the rebuilding efforts in Chile. Beyond the Red Cross, which is for aiding relief efforts, we suggest these three ways.

1.   Travel to Chile

If you have traveled to Chile, have a trip scheduled here, or know people that do, please encourage friends, family, and colleagues to still come. Refer them to my blog, where I directly addressed this issue yesterday. The images the media is “exporting” and messages the US State Department issuing are harmful for the country in the long term and can impact its tourism. The information they are providing is simply not accurate since many people do not understand the country’s geography and where the quake is contained. They stick all of Chile in the disaster boat and this is completely false. Chile is operative and normal in ALL areas minus the above-mentioned affective area. We have had clients on wine tours this week and heading to points in Patagonia with zero problems or alterations. Don’t let TV paranoia ruin what makes Chile so wonderful. Help spread the word.

2.   Support Local Business & Reconstruction

Our business has started a direct initiative to support a local non-profit foundation with a school and organic farm we visit with our tours to channel funds to families affected by the quake both locally and in the south. We are donating a significant portion of the proceeds from our Eat Wine Santiago guide, a food & drink e-guide to the capital. Please help our efforts by purchasing this e-guide. Ask your family and friends to help too. Even if you/they don’t plan on coming to Santiago, Eat Wine Santiago includes a great wine list, insight into Chile’s food/wine culture, will directly contribute to reconstruction efforts in Chile, and seriously, costs less than a dinner for one or a bottle of decent wine. We also will be offering free updates for the first two editions for friends, family, and colleagues who may have Chile on the horizon in the future. Click here for more information.

Please feel free to e-mail me directly at liz@lizcaskey.com with any questions you may have.

Un abrazo cariñoso,

Liz & Team

TO DONATE

For those in the US or Northern Hemisphere click here for options and agencies like the Red Cross. Or just text from your phone:

The Mobile Giving Foundation has launched a text messaging campaign for micro donations, and the four major U.S. mobile carriers, Verizon, At&T, Sprint and T-mobile, have waived text messaging fees for donations.

1. Text the word “CHILE” to 25383 to donate $10 on behalf of the Habitat for Humanity

2. Text the word “CHILE” to 20222 to donate $10 on behalf of World Vision

3. Text the word “CHILE” to 52000 to donate $10 on behalf of the Salvation Army

4. Text the word “CHILE” to 85944 to donate $10 on behalf of International Medical Corp. that include texting from your phone

If you are in Mendoza/ Si esta en Mendoza y quiere donar:

Cómo hacer para colaborar con los damnificados , según lo que dicen los
diarios.

13:04 | Mendoza | Enterate de los puntos de recolección y los números de
cuenta donde podés ayudar desde Mendoza.
02 de marzo de 2010

El ministro de Desarrollo Humano y Comunidad, Carlos Ciurca, informó esta
mañana que dentro de pocos días partirán los primeros camiones hacia Chile
con los elementos aportados por la comunidad de Mendoza. Además, viajarán 15
rescatistas y un médico.

Las formas de colaborar son varias: con ropa de invierno, frazadas, carpas,
agua o alimentos no perecederos, además de dinero.

Puntos de recolección de elementos, alimentos y agua:
Gran Mendoza: Ministerio de Seguridad: Salta 672 de Godoy Cruz, 8 a 18.
San Rafael: Libertador 47, sede administrativa del Gobierno de Mendoza.
Malargüe: Ruta 40 y Jorge Newbery, sede de Gendarmería Nacional.

Para donar dinero:
En pesos: Cuenta del Banco Regional de Cuyo Nº 11801900020638.
En dólares: Cuenta del Banco Regional de Cuyo Nº 11803800020105.

También se puede donar a
http://www.untechoparachile.cl

esta bueno porque se puede hacer con tarjeta de crédito que es mas fácil para todos.
http://www.cruzroja.cl

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND ARTICLES

Chile Says Rebuilding May Cost Tens of Billions of Dollars- New York Times

Quake stops production for biggest Chile winemaker- Associated Press

Chilean Wine Industry Damaged by Quake- The Pour NYT

Powerful Earthquake Rocks Chilean Wine Industry- Wine Spectator

Posted in In the News, Life in Mendoza | No Comments »


The Vines First Day of Harvest

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

The Cosecha is underway at The Vines Private Vineyard Estates in the Uco Valley today. We are harvesting Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay for our owners that planted in 2007! It looks like a great harvest and currently they have picked around 2,000 kilos. Below are some photos from this morning’s harvest!

Posted in In the News, Private Vineyard Estates | 1 Comment »


The Vines Fabulous Food and Wine Pairings

Friday, February 19th, 2010

So as a continuation of my conversation with Langdon Doty, we decided to put into action our food and wine pairings. It was really interesting what the results ended up being, which goes to show you need to taste and learn as you go, there are no “rules and regulations” necessarily when it comes to food and wine pairings. We played a bit with the sauces, the textures and the wines. We ended up tasting the following recipes with mix and match of the Lurton Flor de Torrontes, the Mairena Sauvignon Blanc, the Lorca Viognier, the Las Perdices Pinot Grigio and the Pulenta Estate Chardonnay.

Here are the results and cooking commentary from Langdon:

Salmon Tartare

The idea with the food pairings is to bring out the natural tropical fruit and citrus flavors and to offer a counterpoint to the crisp acidity of the wine with something sweeter and creamier

I added soy and two different citrus flavors (lemon and lime – both the juice and the rind) – this will highlight the aromatic tropical flavors – adding the sweetness of cucumbers and the creaminess of avocado should even out the acidic finish of the wine and harmonize the pairing – that is the theory.

Wine Winner: without spicy sauce Mairena Sauvignon Blanc, with spicy sauce Puleta Chardonnay

Beer Battered Coconut Shrimp

By deep frying the shrimp in a coconut beer batter we are adding the sweetness of the coconut and shrimp and cutting the acidity of the wine with some fat.  the dipping sauce is slightly creamy, sweet, sour, tart, pungent, and spicy at the same time which should theoretically enhance the tropical notes of the wine and balance out the acity as well.  am looking forward to this one.

Wine Winner: Las Perdices Pinot Grigio

And for the rest of you we challenge you to do your own parings with this succulent selection! Send us your Malbec, Malbec blend or varietal selection that you think would be best!- emily@vinesofmendoza and langdoty@gmail.com

Curry Porkchops with Strawberry Pineapple Salsa

the curry will be subtle but will harmonize with the sweet pork and, with its many spices, it should pop the fruit out of the wine. the salsa should explode the fruit of the wine with its sweet tart pineapple strawberry notes and, blended with the richness of the pork should really round out the wine

lets see what happens!

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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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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.

Posted in Experiences, Tasting Notes | No Comments »


Argentine Superbowl Sunday

Monday, February 8th, 2010

So right up there with American holidays like 4th of July and Labor Day is Superbowl Sunday… and here in Argentina a way to teach the Argentines that there is, in fact, a different type of “football,” or as wikipedia states futbol americano.

For the Americans, it is the perfect excuse to gorge on our favorite “gringo” dishes- nachos, buffalo wings, pizza, 7 layer dip. This, however, is not common as you might think as it is often hard to find all of the ingredients to these delectable delights- certain items are at a premium and are held only for special holidays such as these.

Not to be outdone, Alejandrina came with the Argentine version of a “football empanada.”

Of course paired it with Argentina’s finest, some Mounier Torrontes and of course Andes beer, one of the local favorites.

For the empanada recipe email Alejandrina at alejandrina@vinesofmendoza.com

For fun Superbowl facts like these click here:

  • 232: Number of countries and territories in which the game will be broadcast.
  • 34: Number of languages the game is broadcast in.
  • 1: Number of languages in which the word “football” doesn’t mean “soccer.”
  • 28 million: Pounds of potato chips consumed.
  • 11.8: Depth, in feet, of guacamole consumed if it were spread across the football field.

So however you spent your Superbowl Sunday, we hope you spent it with good friends and good wines.

Posted in Life in Mendoza | No Comments »


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