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Pulenta Estate: Best Tour Guide

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

 ”Hacer un gran vino es un acto de generosidad, de pensar siempre en el otro que lo degustará. Nuestra misión es producir series limitadas de grandes vinos, elaborados con orgullosamente hechos en Argentina.” (To make a great wine is an act of generosity, to be thinking always in how the wine will taste to another. Our mission is to proudly produce a series of limited fine wines here in Argentina.)

It’s always such a treat whenever anyone comes to visit because it means it’s time to visit the wineries. This time around was no exception and visiting the wineries at this time of the year is especially nice because they’re not very busy and you get most individualized attention. Do wear a coat for the chilly cement cellars.

Anyhow, after visiting Pulenta Estate today, I had to write something up because of the very thorough explanations we received from our tour guide, Soledad. Sometimes when visiting wineries, the tour guides assume you already know as much as they do and only tell a few unique characteristics about their own winery. However, even after arriving a bit late (Argentinean time, right?), we got a rundown start to finish on how wine is made in general and the special characteristics of Mendoza’s wine region.  

Pulenta is a medium-sized bodega located in Alta Agrelo in Lujan de Cuyo. The winery is dedicated to only producing a limited amount of fine wines so they only select a portion of their grapes for their wines and sell the rest to other wineries (for example, they sell some of their grapes to Chandon for their sparkling wine). The Pulenta family has been involved in wineries for three generations and used to own Trapiche winery before they sold it within the last decade and then opened Pulenta in 2002. Antonio Pulenta is 93 years old and credits his longevity to lifelong wine drinking. If you’d like to try their wines beforehand, their lines are (from lowest to highest): La Flor, Pulenta Estate  and Pulenta Gran Corte.  The visit ranges from 30-60 pesos, depending on how many wines you’d like to taste.

http://www.pulentaestate.com

 

Posted in Behind the bottle, Experiences, Life in Mendoza, Mendoza Bodegas, Photos, Private Vineyard Estates, Tasting Notes, Uncategorized | 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 »


What to write about wine…

Friday, June 24th, 2011

I have actually, been thinking about writing my own blog for months, but I never sit down and do it. Bloody procrastination. A few months ago I took a final in English Phonetics and the assistant professor, who is a psychologist, told me after the exam was over that I answered better when I was put under pressure.

Anyway, I love wine, and food is my passion. But what to write about that hasn’t been written or said before? And that at the same time is fun and entertaining for the reader?

So? Wine? Food? Wine + Food Pairing? Favorite Wine? Terroir? Here it goes!

While working for several years in the wine+tourism+hospitality industry there is nothing better than knowing about wine, or at least pretending to know about wine. Why? First of all, because every single person you meet thinks you are interesting, especially if you are from Mendoza.

1. Mendoza is currently enjoying being the rock star of the wine world which is reason enough to make a big fuss.

2. Secondly, there’s nothing better than going for dinner with your friends and being in charge of choosing the wine that you want to drink.

3. Third, every time you meet with clients or tourists (that usually pick up for the bill) you are also in charge of choosing the wine. Though, here I must say I don’t take full advantage of that situation. I just can’t.

So, when choosing a wine you have a lot of options and while some like to try new and different things. I know what I like so I choose wine by the phrase: “The devil you know is better than the one you don’t”. The best part of all is that in Argentina there’s a wide list of great values.

Here are my top 5 favorites “mid-priced” wines you can always trust:

1- Serrera Malbec Gran Guarda 2007.

2- Pulenta Estate Pinot Noir 2008.

3- Vistalba Corte B 2007.

4- Catalpa Merlot 2007.

5- Monteviejo Blend 2006.

Here is to enjoying wine with friends and family, and being able to choose your favorite wines. Salud!! (Many of these wines are available in the US for you to try your own pairings, just click on the links above)

Julia Elvira Bermejo Hilger.-Was born and raised in Mendoza and now works for The Vines of Mendoza while going to school. She is a chef as well and is getting a degree in English translation. Her passion for food and wine is a legacy of her mothers kitchen, with extensive travels and experiences. She also believes everything tastes better if shared with friends and family.

Posted in Life in Mendoza | 1 Comment »


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.

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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 »


How to Choose your Malbec by the Label

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Yesterday we celebrated World Malbec day and not only that but it is Malbec season here at The Vines, where we are in full swing with our Malbec harvest at our Private Vineyard Estates. With so much activity and focus on Malbec, it is often difficult to decide what to by, what it all means and what will actually be in the bottle!

For some help on how to traverse these mazes of wine labels, one of our Private Vineyard Estate owners, Barry Chaiken, proprietor of Chaiken Vineyards has a great blog that discusses what information really is on the back label.

Also you should sign up for his newsletters to get an insider’s perspective on Argentine wine and his experiences as a vineyard owner making wine in Argentina. www.chaikenvineyards.com

Here is one of his great blog posts:

Oh so many wines to choose from in most wine shops, it is difficult to know which of the wines available you will enjoy. Market research shows that attractive wine packaging, just like for other consumer goods, can help boost sales. For many years “critter” wine labels – those with the cute animals on the label – were successful in attracting buyers to inexpensive wines from Australia.

For those of us who are more interested in choosing a wine that will be attractive to our taste buds rather than our eyes, reviewing some basic information on the label can help intelligently guide our choices. Although some wine labels may appear to provide rather limited information about the wine, there is almost always enough information available to guide us.

When first approaching a wine, look at the alcohol content. Red wines with high alcohol content (14.5-16%+) tend to be big, powerful, flavorful wines that are perfect for drinking alone or with very flavorful foods (e.g., rich, juicy steak). Lower alcohol red wines are more elegant and subtle in their flavors, thereby drinking best only when paired with appropriate foods.

For white wines, a lower alcohol content (e.g., 9-12%) usually indicates a high level of residual sugar seen in sweet wines. Very high alcohol white wines (e.g., 14%+) may indicate a dry wine that is out of balance as white wines generally do not have the strength of flavors, acidity, and tannins to counter the alcohol.

The type of varietal considered with the region the wine comes from gives a sense of what flavors can be expected from the wine. If there is a wine you currently like, then choose a wine made from a similar varietal (e.g., pinot noir) and the same region (e.g., Russian River Valley, CA) made by another producer. Most likely you will like this new wine while also learning from the differences you detect comparing the wines.

Other information such as types of barrels used (e.g., French vs. American oak, new vs. 2nd use), time in barrel, and bottle aging, all give you more information about the wine. As you drink more wine and relate the information you read on the label with the flavors in the wine, you will develop an internal guidebook that can help you choose wine in a liquor store or restaurant.

Although reviews and scores are useful in choosing a fine, the best guide is your own drinking  experience. No one is a better critic of what you may like than you are.

Sincerely,

Barry P. Chaiken, Proprietor

Chaiken Vineyards

info@chaikenvineyards.com

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Posted in Experiences, Private Vineyard Estates | No Comments »


Bodega Corvus at Winemaker’s Night

Friday, April 15th, 2011

Wednesday nights at Vines equal Winemaker love! This week we were pleased to discover the wines of Bodega Corvus, makers of Ala Negra, the bottle with the beautiful label that you’ve probably been wondering about. Joining us to talk about the wines was Gabriela Celeste, winemaker at Bodega Corvus and a member of Enorolland, Michel Rolland’s consulting team. A special treat this week, the wines were paired with dishes created by Marcos Zabaleta, executive chef at Chandon.

The wing! Long family history explains the lone crow wing gracing the labels of these bottles. Ala Negra means “black wing” in Spanish, and this symbol is a tribute to the family’s ancestors who were instrumental in founding Chile.  The Corvalan family shield displays five crow wings like the one on the label. What’s more, the label was designed by Cris Delhez, a famed Argentine painter and sculptor.

The pairings were a delight! With the 2010 Torrontes, we enjoyed a fresh shrimp tartar over avocado and warm tomato confit. The lively floral and citrus characteristics of the wine (produced with grapes from the Calchaqui Valley in Salta) married well with the acid in the fish and avocado.  A light and summery combination. With the 2009 Malbec Rose, Zabaleta prepared a buttered trout crostini with quince honey. The notes of wild cherry and strawberry in the wine complimented the warm, savory trout mini-sandwich well and the quince honey was a nice contrast for this dry rose. Chorizo and Portobello empanadas brought out lots of black and red pepper spices in the 2008 Malbec. This fruit-forward Malbec provided a lively, juicy counterpoint to the richness of the pastry. Finally, veal confit over almond risotto was a nicely rich and savory accompaniment to the 2008 Reserva Malbec, a full-bodied red full of boysenberry and red flowers with spicy tannins and a chocolately finish.

Gabriela Celeste shared with us her passion for winemaking as she explained vineyard practices and how they affect the finished product. As all of the Malbec grapes come from the same vineyard in Lunlunta, Maipu, some are chosen for the rose, some for the classic line, and only the best go into the reserve line. As she spoke, branches crackled and leaves fell from the atrium  ceiling- a result of the strong “Zonda” winds blowing that day.  Celeste talked about how the Zonda could negatively affect the vines during pollination in the springtime, but are not much threat to the vines at harvest time, as the grapes have already developed and most have reached full maturity.

In all it was another interesting, tasty Wednesday night at the Vines of Mendoza.  Thanks to Bodega Corvus and Gabriela Celeste for presenting their wines and to Marcos Zabaleta for providing the parings. See you next week!

About the author: Cara De Lavallade is a Level II Court of Masters Sommelier from Seattle, Washington. Temporarily relocated to Mendoza, she is smelling and tasting all she can to gain a better understanding of the local juice.  Look for her wine reviews, bodega visits, and other winey musings on The Vines of Mendoza blog this spring.

Posted in Experiences, Mendoza Bodegas, Tasting Notes, Vines Events | 1 Comment »


The Vines and Azafran Unite!

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Now that Lindsay’s got you all excited about dining in the cellar, let’s talk about the brand new promotion between The Vines of Mendoza and Azafran! Every time you buy a bottle of wine over $200 pesos  in Azafran’s well-stocked cava, you’ll receive a card worth a discounted Reserve Tasting in the Vines tasting room.  The deal is excellent- get two excellent wine flights for half the price of one. Today I stopped into the tasting room to check out the high-end flights that are included in the promotion.

Two Reserve Flights are available in the tasting room- Reservas de Argentina and Reservas del Valle.  Reservas de Argentina is a tasting of some of the best wines coming from different regions in Argentina- Lujan de Cuyo, Uco Valley, and Cafayate.  A collection of different varietals, styles, and vintages, this flight is a tour of the country, showing the versatility of Argentine wines. Here’s what you’ll taste in Reservas de Argentina:

2009 Bressia Piel Negra Pinot Noir

From local cult wine maker Walter Bressia, this is a sweet, earthy Pinot with lively acidity and plenty of vanilla and spice on the finish.  With fruit from the Lujan de Cuyo, Piel Negra is an excellent display of what this warm, sunny region can do with this classic varietal.  With fresh red fruit, floral aromas, and plenty of earth, Bressia puts out a Pinot that does the grape justice.

2007 Bacan Reserva Malbec

Also from the Lujan de Cuyo, Bacan produces a lush and spicy Malbec. In the tango language, “lunfardo”, Bacan is used to describe a man who is a lover of the good life- dashing, charming with the ladies, indulges in fine wine and parties.  This wine encompasses all of these characteristics- a delightfully lavish, hedonistic Malbec.

2007 Gran Lorca Blend

An assemblage of Malbec, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, Maurico Lorca’s top blend displays impressive structure and fruit concentration. With grapes from the Uco Valley, Lorca has produced an elegant blend with lovely aromas of rose, leather and earth, juicy blackberry fruit on the palate and a lingering finish. My personal favorite of this tasting!

2006 Laborum Tannat

Get a taste of this unique varietal from the world’s highest wine region! Cafayate, Salta is producing impressive wines at staggering altitudes. This five-year-old Tannat is showing an incredible range of secondary flavor characteristics. Bursting with eucalyptus and flower petal on the nose with smoke and red cherry on the palate, this Tannat has a pleasant mouthfeel and plenty of personality.

2007 Atamisque Malbec

From this French-style winery in the Uco Valley, the Atamisque Malbec is the top line of the bodega. Incredibly approachable with juicy black fruit and mint on the nose, this wine opens in the glass, revealing layers of smoke, black cherry, and minerality. With vivacious acidity, the wine shows lovely structure and elegance.  Another favorite.

The Reservas del Valle flight shines a spotlight on the wonderful wines coming out of the Uco Valley, Argentina’s shiny new wine region that’s getting a lot of attention. Here you’ll taste the work of Michel Rolland, Giminez Riili, and more gems from Mauricio Lorca and Atamisque.

A memorable wine experience doesn’t have to end with a great dinner and a bottle at Azafran. Extend the eno-joy and take part in this promotion while it lasts!

About the author: Cara De Lavallade is a Level II Court of Masters Sommelier from Seattle, Washington. Temporarily relocated to Mendoza, she is smelling and tasting all she can to gain a better understanding of the local juice.  Look for her wine reviews, bodega visits, and other winey musings on The Vines of Mendoza blog this spring.

Posted in Mendoza Bodegas, Promotions, Tasting Notes | No Comments »


Bodega Ruca Malen- revisited

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

One of our favorite Bodega experiences in Mendoza is definitely Ruca Malen. The setting and scenery is captivating and the restaurant is one of the most memorable for visitors to Mendoza. Last night Mariana Onofri, The Vines sommelier, and I were invited for a special event with a group of local wine providers, sommeliers and tour agencies. Under the expert guidance of chef Lucas Bustos and a visiting chef from Chez Nous, the restaurant located in Algondon Mansion in Buenos Aires, the courses were expertly designed to be paired with delicious wines and we knew we were in for a special treat!!

They created a 7 course, very decadent, meal, showcasing the best local ingredients. They featured trout from nearby winery Atamisque, who has their own trout farm as well as vegetables, cheeses and meats from local growers and providers. I can’t even describe the succulent lamb that was served with braised corn and a coffee reduction foam. The wine pairing were perfect with delicate shrimp with the Ruca Malen Chardonnay, the Yauquen Cabernet Sauvignon balancing the blue cheese croquette and a sweet Malbec paired with a hearty brie.

You can see the passion that comes through these dishes and the innovation and creativity that is infusing the culinary scene here in Mendoza. It is not just pizza, beef and empanadas anymore!

Named by Wine Enthusiast as one of the best restaurants in Mendoza, they say:

“Eating at a winery can be a hit-or-miss experience. But at Ruca Malen, where chef Lucas Bustos turns out delicious five-course prix-fixe meals with wine pairings, the hits win out. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Bustos relies on gourmet takes on classic plates, i.e. mini milanesas (fried veal cutlets) topped with pumpkin terrine, and beet-and-carrot croquettes served with chimichurri.”

So make sure you visit Ruca Malen and their restaurant on your next visit to Mendoza. It is sure to be a highlight!

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THE VINES SPRING SAVINGS | FREE SHIPPING

Friday, March 4th, 2011

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL WINES FROM THE VINES!

Stock up on the next hottest Argentine varietal, Torrontes, or indulge in your favorite Malbecs or try some new tasty blends.
They are sure not to disappoint you!
We are offering FREE SHIPPING on all wines for orders above $200 through March 31st.

Just type freeshipping in the box above your shopping cart.

If you need some help choosing the wine, our “wine concierge” is available to help you with any of your shopping needs.

Just email noelia@vinesofmendoza.com with any of your questions.
Saludos!
**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 »


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