Map sourced from Classic Wines

Ah yes, here we are back in Cafayate Valley in Argentina. It is pretty darn high up in this part of the world.

When we read the following tag line we loved it: “High Altitude - High Attitude”. Isn’t that fabulous? Although this Valley produces only 4-5% of the country’s wine, it is known for producing some pretty darn nice wines.

Weather wise, the Cafayate Valley has a wide temperature range. In the summer you get nice warm days and the evenings cool down. Now those cool evenings are not just for getting a good night’s sleep, they also help to maintain acidity and heighten aromas and flavours in the wine. With an average of 350 days of sunshine, there can be an increase in the polyphenols in the wine. In short, that is the good stuff that can be found in nuts, dark chocolate, blueberries, raspberries, and red wine. So if you have a blueberry and raspberry salad with some nuts and dark chocolate on the side and then sip a glass of red wine, you should be good to go!! It sounds good to me.

Don Rodolfo Torrontés

Winery: Don Rodolfo
Location:Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina
Blend: 100% Torrontés
Tasting: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m

Torrontés (Tor-RON-taze) is still a grape that people are discovering. They are not always too sure what it is all about. We like say that Torrontés makes a very refreshing wine. It is dry, has nice acidity and lovely fruit and flower. In a word… crisp. Torrontés can pair quite nicely with food (as you will see below) or you can enjoy it on its own. Once people try it, our experience has been that they like it.

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc out of Argentina still get a lot more press than Torrontés. Hopefully we will see that change in the future. This grape has made a good home in Argentina and the wines made from it are just fun to sip.

Don Rodolfo describes this wine: “Light yellow-gold color with hues of green. A very fruity, floral nose with white peach and hints of citrus. Good volume in the mouth with complexity and balance, and an excellent fresh finish.”

Food Pairing:

Pizza with a white sauce; Thai food; Seafood in a cream sauce.

CSPC: 716720
Price:

$14.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice.

Don Rodolfo pinot noir

Winery: Don Rodolfo
Location:Argentina
Blend: Pinot Noir
Tasting: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

When one thinks of red wine from Argentina, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are probably the first two grape varieties that pop into peoples’ heads. Well, Pinot Noir is rising as well. We know Pinot Noir from the beautiful region of Burgundy in France. Now it is grown in many places all around the globe: Canada, United States of America, Australia and Argentina are just a few countries that have romanced this grape. It is known as the heartbreak grape, because it can be very tough to grow.

The best part is that in every country each terroir and each producer put their own stamp on it. We have had people say Pinot Noir from Burgundy is the best; or Pinot from Oregon cannot be missed; or Pinot from British Columbia is divine. Each of these statements is true, because each wine that someone has tasted from these areas has brought something special to the table. Something in particular that they are looking for in a wine. Now you get to try Pinot Noir from Argentina.

Don Rodolfo describes this Pinot Noir as: “Rich purple with black hues. A deeply fruitful nose, with complex black cherry aromas. Excellent volume in the mouth with medium structure and velvety tannins lead to a harmonious finish.”

Food Pairing:

Roast duck; Salmon (grilled or poached); Turkey; Sheep’s milk cheese.

CSPC: 729987
Price:

$14.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice.

Next week we get to have some Vampire wine.

Map courtesy of www.aboutwines.com

Argentina is the fifth largest wine producing country in the world. Its domestic consumption as of 2006 was over 40 litres per capita. That is a good bit of vino! Malbec has proven to be the most successful in the export markets, but other red varieties like Bonarda, Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon are making their mark as well. Of the white varieties, Torrontés [tore-rahn-TEZ] is the most typical coming from Argentina and if you have never tried wine made from this grape, well you should. Winesday September 8th is a good day to start.

Malbec has become the new sexy grape over the past few years and there is no wonder why. We live in the land of beef and Malbec goes great with beef. Argentina is also known for its beef, so it is a great fit for that country. (Surprisingly, it can also go with food with a bit of spice to it.) It just seems to have taken the new world by storm. Great marketing helps too. The wines from this country have not only been in the spotlight for their flavour, but also for their value. You can get a nice wine at a good price. In these economic times, that is always a plus.

Winery: Cuma (Michel Torino)
Vintage: 2009
Location: Cafayate, Salta - Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: 100% Organic Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m

A couple of months ago, we tried two wines from the Bodega El Esteco label called Michel Torino. (See July 21 blog) We talked a bit about the history of this company and some of their wine labels. They make “young and fresh wines, fruit driven”. Today we have the opportunity to try two of their organic wines: Cuma Malbec and Cuma Torrontes.

The name ‘Cuma’ means “pure and clear”. It comes from the language of a tribe (Aymara) who inhabited this region around the time of the Incas. The viticulture and winemaking practices for the Cuma wines, are very strictly controlled and the Cuma wines were certified organic in 2005.

Generally speaking, sulfur levels tend to be lower. The wines are expressive. The colour of this Malbec is deep, dark and draws you in. There is a little more intensity in the flavours of the nice red fruit. The tannins are definitely present giving it a nice structure. The aftertaste lingers with the red fruit, some spice and even a wee bit of red plum with a little note of mint.

Food Pairing:

Mexican influenced beef (a little spice is always nice); Spicy pork dishes; Grilled steak.

CSPC: 733219
Price:

$14.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

Winery: Cuma (Michel Torino)
Vintage: 2009
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: 100% Organic Torrontés
Tasting: Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Torrontés produces some of the most distinctive white wines in Argentina, characterized by floral Muscat-like aromas and a spicy note. Recently I read this: ‘Smelling a glass of Torrontés is like smelling a wonderful bouquet of flowers.’ That really describes it perfectly.

The background of this grape variety has always been a little murky. Although the Argentineans like to think that this is their own varietal, there has been some talk to the contrary. “According to a 5/28/08 Daily Herald article by columnist Mary Ross, recent genetic testing indicates that Torrontes is a hybrid of Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica.” No matter what the background is, the Argentineans love this wine. It makes up approximately 10% of the white grape varieties planted in the country, but it accounts for 20% of the sales.

This is a wine that you and I should enjoy when it is young. Please do not over chill this wine. You will lose all of the wonderful flavours and aromas and therefore miss out on what makes this grape variety so neat. With the floral and citrus (orange) scents and flavours of peaches, flowers and even some lemon, this wine will pair with some cool food.

Food Pairing:

Vegetarian empanadas; Asian influenced cuisine; guacamole.

CSPC: 733223
Price:

$14.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

Look out France… Richard and I are heading your way next week.

Winery: Silvertop
Vintage: 2008
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Alcohol: 13.5%
Blend: 100% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Map courtesy of mendosaholidays.com

We will be heading to Chile next week.  Our flight landed in Mendoza on the way and we noticed some vineyards nearby the airport, so we thought we would stop and take a look.

Okay… raise your hands… who hasn’t heard of Argentinean Malbec?  It certainly has come on our wine scene with great vigor over the past couple of years.  Now there are a lot of wineries from Argentina, but the vast majority of wines come from the Mendoza region.  I believe the number is about 75 - 80%, actually.

The history of the country is fascinating.  Of course its connection with Spain goes back many hundreds of years.  The Monks started developing the vineyards in Argentina back in the 1500’s.  This year, Argentina will be celebrating their 200^th Anniversary of Independence from Spain.  Now the Spanish culture still plays a large part in this country.  You will notice, for instance, that a lot of winery names being with ‘Bodegas’, which is ‘winery’ or ‘house of’.  Today some of the red wines being produced in Argentina include:  Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Bonarda and Sangiovese.  White wines include:  Torrontes, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon, Semillon, Riesling, Viognier and Gewürztraminer.

Let’s get on to this wine.  What the heck is Malbec anyway?  Well, the Malbec grape came from France originally, but there is not a lot left to be found in the country.  There are some areas where it can still be found.  The most notable area is located in the south west of France.  The region is called Cahors.   Recently there have been some wines from this region that have come back into the spotlight.  Why?  Well, because Malbec has been getting a lot of press from Argentina and Malbec is big in Cahors.  It follows that Cahors will be garnering a bit of the limelight, as well.  And as Martha says… that is a good thing.

Now at $10.99, you know that this is not going to be a big powerhouse Malbec, but what you will notice are the great red berry flavours, red plum, cherry and even a little bit of tobacco that you get on this wine.  In your mouth there are those red fruits like raspberry and cherry with that touch of the red plum again.  It has a nice bit of fruit, but not in a sweet way, just some nice fruit.  When I tried this wine for the first time about 1½ to 2 years ago, I was surprised that there was so much flavour for the price.  It was a nice surprise indeed.  This makes a great ‘sit back, put your feet up and relax kind of wine’.  Argentinean wines are such a good value.  They are so worth trying.

Food Pairing:

Beef… Beef… and more beef!  Did I say ‘beef’?  Barbequed lamb; pizza with chorizo sausages; chili.

CSPC:     734702
Price:

$10.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Winery: Silvertop
Vintage: 2009
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Alcohol: 13%
Blend: 100% Torrontes
Tasting: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Torrontes grapes make the quintessential white wine from Argentina.  Although it makes up about 10% of white grapes planted in Argentina, it accounts for about 20% of the sales.  Interesting!  Now until recently, it was thought this grape variety was indigenous to Argentina, but recent DNA testing has found that, in fact, the grape has roots in the Eastern Mediterrean region.  Which, when you think about it makes sense.  Most of the grape vines in the New World regions were most likely brought over by explorers from the ‘Old World’ during their travels.  Simplistically, they wanted to bring a little bit of home with them so that they could make their own wine for celebrations and the like.

This wine has such flavourful aromas.  You get anything from orange/citrus and some flowers to peaches/peach pit.  Now although you get all these notes, the wine is dry.  It kind of fools you when you get all those wonderful aromas.  This is a wine to enjoy when it is young.

Food Pairing:

Asian food, especially Thai and Vietnamese; guacamole; Mexican food; clam chowder with a wee touch of spice.

CSPC:     734704
Price:

$11.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

I have some very exciting news for you!!!  We will be doing an ‘Earth Day’ weekend tasting this weekend.  Friday, April 23^rd from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 24^th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.  We will be tasting Organic and Biodynamic Wines.  Come by and join us.

Next week Richard and I are going to hop on that flight and head over the Andes Mountains to Chile.  See you there!