Best Red Wine Under U$20

Men's Health magazine lists the 125 Best Grocery Foods. And in the category Best Red Wine Under U$20 the award goes to...:

"Salentein Malbec Reserve 2006
This succulent South American red pairs well with a nice slab of red meat."
Only 97 calories per 4 fl oz.

And the good news keep coming for Bodega Salentein. The same malbec is listed as one of the Top 5 Holiday Gift Ideas for Executives.

Malbec Quickies

Our malbec world news roundup:

-Turkey dinner? Try malbec says wine blogger PaulG. And a good list of Washington malbecs and argentinian ones

-Review of the 2006 Tierra Secreta Malbec (link)

-An afternoon at Bodegas Finca Flichman in Mendoza by blogger Eleuthera (link). I talked about Finca Flichman before, and here you have some very interesting comments from the Chief Winemaker of this Portuguese owned winery Luis Cabral de Almeida (a "pretty hot man" in the words of the writer):

Several years ago a friend tried to tell me how great the Argentinian (and Chilean) Malbecs were, but I wouldn't even taste them. However, the grape I knew from living in Bordeaux was a far cry from the one I finally tasted in South America: Malbecs from Argentina are rich, jammy, and luscious with some surprising complexity. Malbec thrives in Argentina, Luis explained, because of the low humidity. This explains their ability to get the delightful jammy qualities which I thoroughly enjoy.

Malbec Finds A Cozy Home In Washington State

After reading that their malbec got some some awards at a Pacific Northwest Competition, I was curious enough to get in contact with the owner/winemaker of Upland Winery Todd Newhouse. He was kind enough to send me a response and I wanted to share a couple of points with you, the reader.
I believe that in every aspect our world is a better place when there is diversity.  Diversity is what makes this country a place I love and respect. Diversity is what makes our life a little more interesting and enjoyable. Diversity is the key of a better future, both socially and economically.
I love malbec not matter where it comes from. Diversity is so much fun with malbec because it's very easy to tell the difference between Mendoza, or the Valle of Cafayate (Salta), or Patagonia, or Cahors in the SW of France, or Chile, or now Washington State (I haven't tried one from there). From a grape that fail so miserably in Bordeaux is quite an accomplishment.
There is no doubt in my mind that malbec is the grape of the future. It's the only red grape (with maybe Pinot Noir, but its wines are more expensive) that men and women alike can enjoy together at the same time. And doesn't matter if you are a beginner or an old wine connoisseur, with malbec wines there is always something for everyone. You could say it is a very "democratic wine". It appeals to everyone, and it is affordable. A pair of short ribs (U$ 4.50 a pound ), a tomato salad (U$ 1 a pound) and a Malbec for let's say U$15- U$20 and you have an unforgettable dinner.
But going back to Upland Winery's Todd Newhouse and his Washington State Malbec:

"...Our Malbec has a thick, fruity nose with so much going on that it is hard to pin-point but definately has plum, blackberry, and hints of coffee and chocolate which also translates to the palate. The tannins are definately there, but very well managed. Color is inky/dark. I can only compare it with a couple Mendoza wines that I have had and I think our Malbec is not quite as "big" as those (probably lower alcohol) but has more complexity with numerous stages from start to finish, and the finish on our Malbec is more elegant..."

The vineyards are located in a section of the Yakima Valley known as Snipes Mountain (elevation between 750 and 1300 feet) and Upland is the only grape growing winery in the area. 

"...Washington is absolutely perfect for Malbec.  No rainfall during the growing season and very hot summers.  You will be hearing a lot more about Malbecs from Washington in the future, I'm sure..."

Todd is very much optimistic about their future. Our best wishes to him and we hope to get soon Washington malbecs here in Southern Cal.  Salud Todd!

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Malbec Quickies

Welcome to our world news roundup:
-New York Times Style Magazine (link here) goes deep into the most historic Buenos Aires' barrios (neighborhoods) and gives us very good tips not found in mainstream travel books.  If you like photography don't miss some truly great pictures.

"...Forget the martini bars and sushi joints. The real Buenos Aires resides in its bodegones, neighborhood restaurants steeped in what it means to be argentine..." (or "porteño" I would add). 

Wine reviews:
-2006 Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec
-Chakana Yaguareté Collection Malbec 2009
-Chakana Reserva Malbec 2008, Chakana Yaguaraté Collection Bonarda 2009, and Patagonia Pinot Noir by Familia Schroeder. After my post yesterday about argentinian bonarda take a look at the review for the Chakana Bonarda. From Michael Pinkus, the Grape Guy.

Grapes Varieties Planted in Argentina

The graphic is in spanish but you can see the percentages of the grapes varieties planted in Argentina.
What it's interesting is the number next to the Bonarda grape (known as "Charbono" in the US). Argentina and some wineries in Northern California are producing delicious wines with this grape.
Bonarda is somewhat similar to malbec, but it is characterized by a low tannic concentration. And usually the alcohol content is lower than malbecs, at around 13%. A dark wine, almost opaque purple color with a distinctive aroma of plums, black pepper and old leather. A full-bodied palate with well-integrated tannins give it a rich texture and long finish.

A good analysis by Daniel Pi, a well known argentinian winemaker:

"...Bonarda exports began some six years ago. Before that, few people understood that it was a good variety. When it is well-treated, as Malbec is treated, achieving an appropriate ripening, with a good winemaking process, it produces wines of soft tannins, with lots of strawberry aromas. It is a variety whose optimal ripening point occurs towards the end of the season, with 13.5 degrees..."

Source "Cuenca Rural"

Zuccardi Q Scores Very Good Ratings

In an email just received all the way from Mendoza, Familia Zuccardi Winery is trumpeting the latest scores from Jay Miller's Wine Advocate for their "Q" line of wines.

Zuccardi Q Malbec 2007 (90points): Offers intensity and complexity, exquisite flavors, structure and a medium to long end. It will evolve for 1 or 2 years, but you can enjoy it now.

Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2006 (90 points): It comes from a vineyard farmed in 1974. Purple colored with an attractive bouquet of minerals, berries, pepper and coffee. Full-bodied, dense palate, endowed with rich flavors of spices and fruit, all in a perfect balance. Will evolve for 2 or 3 years and be at his best from 2011 to 2018.

Zuccardi is making some amazing stuff with the tempranillo grape. Outstanding efforts year in, year out. I will never forget their '01 and '02 vintage. A very rich, deep,
well made wine bursting with tight oak and vigorous, smoky flavors. Absolutely
nothing to envy to a Rioja or a low price Ribera. I remember having this Tempranillo
with pizza made in a charcoal brick oven, and it was a match made in heaven. If
you see a Zuccardi made tempranillo get it. You'll have a great dinner.

More below the fold. Click here.

An American In Malbec Country

Several very interesting points about the story of Daniel Karlin, a true Angeleno who found love and an amazing business opportunity in Mendoza, and it is now reaping the benefits of a trial and error strategy.
What do people like Nicolás Catena, Santiago Achával, Bernardo Weinert, Paul Hobbs, and many more have in common with Daniel's story? VISION.
From Alternative Latin Investor (free subscription required):

"The original impetus for the business came from a simple observation that tourists to Argentina fell in love with Malbec and Torrontés—the quintessentially Argentine varieties—just like Karlin did when he arrived. The problem was that they had virtually no way of getting more of these rare gems in the U.S."

He basically created "Anuva Wines" a US based Wine Club of Argentinian Wines, and clearing all the hurdles and bureaucracy took a major dose of patience and personal drive.

"“We spent a lot of money on lawyers to be able to understand how to ship wine to people,” Karlin says with a smile. The alcoholic beverage industry in the U.S. is highly regulated. In addition to Anuva’s shipping service to clients and wine club members across the U.S., they have the only wine-tasting service for tourists in Buenos Aires. Anuva also offers in-home wine tastings in select cities in the U.S."

The article goes then into one of the major reasons of why argentinian wines are enjoying so much success even amidst these challenging times:

More below the fold. Click here.

Pascual Toso Malbec Rosé 2008

There is nothing left... My whole case is gone!
A serious, robust, vibrant but at the same time very easy to drink rosé wine from the Maipú District in Mendoza made with 100% malbec.

It is the kind of wine that you could drink and afford to have in the Thanksgiving table (it is going for less than U$ 10). This has solid fruit, all ripe and rich, an unmistakable "food wine" which will accompany an array of choices for the holidays.  The colour is a somehow dark strawberry red, with an aroma of plums and the taste of strawberry, rhubarb and dark red fruits. Amazing acidity, creamy and full bodied. At the mouth all of these combinations give an intense and refreshing taste.

I would not be afraid to pair this wine with just about anything. It was the talk of a barbecue party last weekend, with my friend begging me to get him some bottles. Women and men alike loved it. 
I was struck by the lingering and refreshing aftertaste. Not easy to get in a rosé wine at this price level.
Pascual Toso keeps delivering quality with very affordable prices.

A Six Minutes Tour of Mendoza

This is a great six minutes video about a tour of Mendoza by an american couple. I've been there with my family in 2005 and visited some of the places. Absolutely beautiful. If you rent a car and speak or understand a little spanish you can get around by yourself. I've stayed at the Tapiz Winery and the place is out of this world (photo at the right shows the main entrance). With at least three nights in Mendoza you can get a pretty good idea of the "malbec country".
Do not miss the following wineries: Catena Zapata, Achával-Ferrer and Bodegas y Cavas de Weinert. The three are must-see.

Wine weekend in Malbec Country: Mendoza, Argentina en Yahoo! Video

A Rare Black Malbec With Its Own DNA

A Rare Black Malbec With Its Own DNA

(Click above to read the story)

Premium Malbec At A Rock Bottom Price

Here's a toast to a buyer's market. Salud! If you are wondering how wine retailers are faring in this market, there is a good story out today that pretty much sums up the whole thing:

A "key factor" helping to keep retail sales steady, he believes, is the fact that "people are going out to dinner less and entertaining more at home." The bottom line is that there's good news for shopkeepers and shoppers alike.

Sales are steady and that's good news for everyone that it is not producing premium wines.

On the supply side, he sees plenty of bargains under $20, especially when it comes to domestic wines. Imports are still at the mercy of the weak dollar.

On the demand side, the economy has created thrifty customers who "are thinking a little bit more about how they spend their dollars - they are doing their homework."
In today's competitive market, "if a wine is over $20 it had better be really good or have a good point score."

Link here.
 
And you know the article is right on the money, when you see a 2008 Achával-Ferrer Malbec for less than U$ 17. Unbelievable price for a high caliber wine like this one, with both WS and WA scoring 91pts.

"South American malbec is a bold grape with easy mass appeal, but often not much depth at a lower price range. This bottle, knocked down to $16.99 from a usual $28, shows just how interesting malbec can be at a slightly higher tier.

...there's also some finesse to go with that ripe machismo, a bouquet of violets, a flicker of anise and spice, and a bright acidity that clicks on the tongue for a long and cheery finish."

 Philly is getting one heck of a deal. 

A Rare "Black" Malbec With Its Own DNA

This variety is a unique rarity in the world. Rodrigo Arizu, CEO of boutique winery Viña Alicia, explains the features of this super premium wine, awarded 96 points by Robert Parker, with an annual production of only 2,000 bottles and whose price reaches U$ 120. Here are some of the details behind the mystery of this "Brote Negro" or "Black Stem Malbec".

The estate of Viña Alicia in Mendoza has two vineyards dating back over 100 years and were planted by one of the grandfathers of Rodrigo Arizu (his father is Luigi Bosca's highly regarded winemaker Alberto Arizu). And in one of them was, precisely, where mother nature decided to alter the course of things.

"The vine branches of the Malbec are always green and then turn brown. But one day we discovered that some of the stems were black and we also noticed that the clusters were smaller and had a different period of maturation that the traditional grapes."

Nine years ago they were picking all the grapes at the same time, but when they noticed these variations, they realized after doing some research that there was no record in the world for something like this, and they began to experiment.

"My father consulted several ampelographic (specialists in grapevines) and no one was able to give us a satisfying answer. So what we are now considering is to send a sample to Montpellier, France, for a DNA analysis."

Rodrigo Arizu's theory is that "a natural mutation has occurred to the vineyard due to its age. In fact, vine is the plant that has mutated the most in history. This means that we could be quietly bumping into a new variety of Malbec, with its own unique DNA."

When talking about the wine characteristics (2006 Malbec Brote Negro), Arizu explained that "after experimenting for two years, we found that the fruit is much more intense and complex than the classic Malbec because the floral and mineral notes are not typical of this variety."

Most of Viña Alicia's annual production is for export, just a tiny fraction stays in Argentina.

Source http://vinos.infobaeprofesional.com/vinos  (article written by Juan Diego Wasilevsky) and Viña Alicia website.

A "Bang-For-The-Buck" Malbec

When you have a Napa Valley based publication reviewing several wines mostly from California and then you find a lonely argentinian malbec in the whole list, you know you are onto something. But when this malbec merits a "Best Bang For Your Buck" you know you have just struck gold:

Layer Cake 2007 Mendoza Malbec $15

All malbec from the rocky terrain of this South American country noted for this Bordeaux blending varietal, it’s a smooth, lush wine that belies its 14.9 percent alcohol. Harvested late, the ripe fruit for this accessible red offers exotic berry perfume along with a mouthful of cherries, blackberries and plums. The first malbec release from Layer Cake, it’s a wine for the bigger flavors on the Thanksgiving table as well as one that red wine fanciers would gladly quaff on its own. Of all the wines, tasters said this one offered the most bang for the buck. Production is 15,000 cases, so I’m sure there’s enough out there for all of us.

The good thing about this wine is that you'll find it pretty much everywhere.
The concept behind Layer Cake represents the different layers of wine and the image of a handcrafted product. Winemaker Jayson Woodbridge named Layer Cake as his grandfather told him that the soils in which the vines lived were a layer cake. If properly made, the wine from these vines was like a delicious cake. The fruit for Layer Cake Malbec comes from a vineyard that is flanking the Mendoza River in Argentina. 

Why Argentina & Chile Are World Leaders In Value Wine

Renowned wine journalist Robert Whitley gives a couple of good reasons as to why:

There are two good reasons why this is so. The first is simply the economics of buying land, growing grapes and making wine in South America. Everything from land to labor is cheaper. The second is a fluke of nature — Argentine malbec.

There is no question about it that the Argentine wine industry owes a lot to the likes of California's Paul Hobbs (he started working with Nicolás Catena back in '88), Italy's Roberto Cipresso (Achával-Ferrer) and France's Michel Rolland, but somehow the grape found in the Mendoza's terroir its perfect home (and today for that matter anywhere near the Andes):

From Argentina, as nowhere else, malbec delivers lushness on the palate, bold fruit aromas and a level of complexity that is absent in most malbec made elsewhere.

And he finishes with a good list of "trusted producers":

The following is a list of Argentine wineries whose well-priced malbecs have scored good numbers in recent reviews by well-known critics, including this one:

Alamos

Andeluna

Bodegas Salentein

Catena

Cruz

Colome (Cafayate, Salta)

Dona Paula

Famiglia Bianchi

Gascon

Luigi Bosca

Melipal

Norton

Terrazas de los Andes

Trapiche

Trivento

The story is worth reading. Don't miss it. 

Argentine Wine Consumption Continues To Increase In The U.S.

Crisis? What crisis? This is "malbec mania".  Sales of argentinian wines have increased more than 50% in September from the month in 2008, surpassing Spain and New Zealand. Staggering numbers.

ARGENTINA WINS, FRANCE SEES MAJOR IMPROVEMENT. 

Once again Argentina posted the most growth by far, with sales up 55.2% and volume up 45%.  Spain came in a distant second with dollar sales up 18.2% and volume up 21.6%.  New Zealand came in third with sales up 13.6% and volume up 13%.  The Argentineans raised prices a whopping 7% to an average $8.43 a bottle, while Spain dropped prices -2.8% and NZ increased prices by just 0.5%. France managed to improve its numbers in September with sales up 1.7% and volume up 2.2%.  Prices were down only -0.5% to an average $9.57 a bottle.

Meanwhile the Italian and Australian wine industry keep getting bad news, with the Italian wines being the hardest hit, with a fall in sales of 4.6% and a price hike of 0.8 percent. The Australians suffered a drop in dollar sales of 3.7 percent and they suffered the biggest price decline, falling 2.8 percent to an average $ 6.39 a bottle.

Please note this crucial fact: today it costs more to buy a bottle of argentinian wine, but not even that is stopping the incredible growth in consumption of argentinian wines in the US market. Evidently, consumers cannot have enough of malbec. Argentina continues to break the mold each month.

Source: www.winespiritsdaily.com

Weinert Estrella Collection: Bernardo Weinert Is Sticking To His Vision

Weinert Malbec Estrella 1977 was one of the best wines I have ever had in my whole life. "Bodegas y Cavas de Weinert" more classic approach to winemaking is what makes the difference in the Argentina wine scene. No better or worse than the rest. Just different. And that's what makes Weinert wines so enjoyable. Not the fruit bombs or the muscular wines that we are so used to find right now.  All of Weinert's wines sneak up on you silently, with no pretensions whatsoever, but when you start pouring the wine all of the sudden everything changes, and you are immersed in a whole different world of aromas, unique bouquet, and fruit characteristics, and almost always very well balanced.

Weinert aged their wines in large old casks, rendering a more Old World-style bottling. I still have two bottles of this masterpiece and I am waiting for the right occasion to enjoy them.

Why Weinert today? I just found this in YouTube and I am happy to see finally Don Bernardo getting the recognition that he deserves. Kudos to his daughter and apparent heir Iduna for producing this wonderful little video. Enjoy:

Maipe Is A Hot Bargain

The 2008 Maipe Andean Culture Mendoza Malbec is one of the best malbec bargains in the market right now.  
I bought a whole case for $ 7.99 a bottle and I was just blown away by how good the wine was. And now the San Francisco Chronicle's wine editor Jon Bonné declares: "...a hot wine..."

($13): A hot wine in a hot category, which makes it easy to find around town. Consultant Alberto Antonini (Altos Las Hormigas) also helped propel this new runaway hit. Scents of smoky leaves, violet, currant and huckleberry, with a bright surge of fruit. A mineral edge to the tannins adds depth.

And he was not the first. Wine Advocate had this to say before:

"The 2008 Malbec is a glass-coating purple color with a striking perfume of violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Exhibiting surprising complexity for its price category, the wine has gobs of fruit, savory flavors, and excellent depth and length. It is an outstanding value for drinking over the next 3-4 years... (90 pts)"

And Food & Wine Magazine from February '09: "Argentina's Best Reds for $10-$20."

A very inexpensive, full of character, ready to drink malbec. Great with red meat, pasta with tomato sauce, or my favorite: home made pizza.

Hong Kong: The Asian Hub for Wines

While gathering info about Bodega Sottano's 2005 Malbec, I came upon some striking pieces of news about Hong Kong and its wine market:

Hong Kong is steadily emerging as a wine-trading hub for Asia, where consumption of the beverage is expected to grow by 10 per cent to 20 per cent a year for the foreseeable future. Hong Kong alone saw wine imports soar by 40 percent in the first nine months of 2009, due largely to the scrapping of wine duties. Results from wine auctions held in Hong Kong this year are also encouraging. Industry players are predicting that Hong Kong may well become the world’s second-largest wine auction centre, surpassing London and trailing only New York.

Mendoza Malbec Best In The World For Chinese Food Pairing

This is a bit of a shock. I would have never expected. "Judas", a wine 100% Lujan de Cuyo Malbec from the '06 vintage was chosen from among 1,289 wines from 23 countries, including China, as the best in the world to accompany "Peking Duck", emblematic dish of the Chinese cuisine, according to an Asian jury at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition which took place between the 3rd and 6th of November.

"We are very happy, is like winning a competition for the best wine to accompany argentinean beef. Importers are going to be running looking for it, but this production is very limited with only about 8,000 bottles a year, " said Pablo Sottano, one of the brothers who own a winery that started in 2002 and now produces around 200,000 bottles a year.

Bodega Sottano has never exported to Asia (currently only sells in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil and some Central American countries).

From the Winery:
Tasting Notes: Bright red and black ink. Great aromatic intensity and complexity, predominance of spice notes, cassis, white pepper, clove, also some chocolate and mint. Great structure, marked acidity, a velvety mouth feel with sweet tannins, a good balance with a touch of wood.
This wine is 100% Malbec from selected plots in our own vineyards located in Perdriel, Lujan de Cuyo, 1,000 meters above sea level with a capacity of 50 tons per hectare. It is harvested in the second half of April in the early hours of the morning, and then the fermentation is in stainless steel tanks of 5,000 liters, which is macerated for 35 days, spending about 18 months in oak barrels (70% French and 30% American).

I am waiting for a confirmation, but from my research I assume we are talking their '05 wine. Bodega Sottano is a partnership of three brothers, Diego, Pablo and Mauricio Sottano, whose roots in Mendoza reach back to their Italian ancestors in 1890.
(Update: Confirmed. It is the Judas Malbec 2006.)
(Update II: Enjoying good food is such an important aspect to the Asian way of life, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC aims to help consumers use the competition results to enhance their everyday dining experiences with perfectly matched wines. Cuisine-specific categories include: “Best Wine Paired with…”:

• Peking Duck - The essence of a perfect match here is to encapsulate the oily, crispy skin, gamey duck flesh and the deeply flavoured condiments.)

Inexpensive Malbecs

In only one sentence international wine blogger Benito pretty much summarizes why so many people love Malbec wines: 

I love inexpensive Malbecs for their bold flavors and easy pairing. 

Here I enjoyed the wine with a vegetarian pizza, but it would work well with BBQ, steak, lamb. The 2007 Rio Seco Malbec is from Mendoza, Argentina. $12, 13% abv. Black cherry, full plummy flavors with a big mouthfeel, medium tannins, long finish. This is a great table wine, and I'm glad that we're getting better and better access to inexpensive but decent selections.

Malbec Running Wild in Liverpool (UK)

Liverpool's fans might be quite mad with coach Rafa Benitez after their disappointing run during the group stages of the European Champions League (I don't think they'll go through, but that's another story), but some of them are enjoying a good glass of malbec:

But there is one bonfire night 'tradition' in which I still like to indulge - and that's Bommy Night Casserole. It's a dish that my mother 'invented' back in the 60s. It includes a tin of Heinz spaghetti, cheese, bacon, onion and some mini sausages, plus a few fresh - yes fresh! - tomatoes to top off.
OK, as you can tell from the ingredients, it's hardly the height of healthy eating, nor of gourmet cuisine. But with a bit of crusty bread and a glass of red wine, it's a real comfort dish that's will hang around in the oven waiting for you to finish watching the display.
And just to prove that I do have some taste, the glass of red wine I'll be enjoying with it tonight is a little number from the Mendoza region of Argentina - the Bodega Finca Flichman Misterio Malbec 2008 ( £4.99 = U$ 8.00).
It won a prestige award as the best great value red wine for under a fiver (U$ 8.00) in this year's International Wine Challenge. Take a sip and you can see why. It's a ripe and juicy 100% malbec that has added depth, thanks to a little bit of time spent cosying up to some oak. You'll spot flavours of plums and damsons from a drink that leaves a trail of warmth on its way down into your stomach.

It seems that Finca Flichman after its ownership changes is concentrating more in the European market. Flichman continue to invest in vineyard management working closely with Pedro Parra while also experimenting with new areas at higher altitudes in Mendoza, such as Altamira, La Consulta, El Cepillo and Los Sauces.  It is no surprise that this Portuguese owned winery under the guidance of Luis Cabral de Almeida, Chief winemaker, will also be experimenting with Touriga Nacional and will be planting further new vineyards in Tupungato.

Best Trapiche Broquel Ever?

Wine Enthusiast is raving about the 2007 Trapiche "Broquel" Malbec ($13.99) and giving it 91 points:

"A stacked wine with deep fruit on the nose as well as notes of orange peel and graham cracker. With its lush palate of sweet blackberry and plum flavors, this pours on the stoutness that Argentine Malbec is known for. A real-deal wine with size and balance. Maybe the best Broquel Malbec to date." (Nov. 1, 2009)

Punto Final 2008 Malbec: Wine Of The Week

The Las Vegas-Review Journal designates the 2008 Punto Final Malbec (Luján de Cuyo's Bodegas Renacer) as their Wine of the Week:

"On the palate: The wine attacks the palate full on with supple, yet concentrated cherry liqueur, liquid black licorice, chewy black currant drops, "hot" spice elements and earthy plummy fruit with underlying minerals..."

Odds and ends: I keep coming back to these malbecs because they are so drinkable while being a great value when you want that extra oomph in your red wines. Malbec is the rejected grape varietal from Bordeaux in France that found its true calling in Argentina. Punto Final Malbec is a stellar example of this type of wine and a good alternative to more expensive wines from Australia or Italy. We are at the time of year where deep heady red wines are called for..."

(Update 5:00 PM PST) I just got an email from Patricio Reich Roccatagliata (Marketing at Bodegas Renacer) and yes, this is the wine that Jay Miller (Parker's Wine Advocate) scored with 90 pts,  and "Best Argentine Wine under U$ 12.00".

Nicolás Catena's Favorite Wine Ever: Châteaux Lafite 1990

In another excerpt in his interview with a costa rican newspaper, Nicolás Catena mentions his most memorable wine: (drums!! please...):

-Which is the wine that you remember the most?
-I remember a 1990 Châteaux Lafite. I drank it in Paris with my wife Elena, and for some reason we both still remember everything about that wine.

-Your favorite wine?

-Red wines I prefer malbecs because I like concentrated, dense wines. Regarding whites I prefer chardonnays, because of its complexity when young and also when they have four to five years in the bottle.

Latest Awards for Argentinian Malbec '07 Vintage

This past weekend was held in Santa Cruz (Chile) the fourth edition of the International Wine Tasting Experience "The Wines of the Cordillera de los Andes", with the presence of more than ninety professional wine tasters from Chile, Argentina, Spain, Peru, Brazil, Portugal, USA, New Zealand and France.

Twenty four wines were blind tasted (the top 12th of each country in the recent vintage 2007, pre-selected by a jury of experts).  And two Argentine wines finished in the top, receiving 92 points: Tapiz Malbec Reserva and Alto de Altavista, also last year's winner.

The winners only includes wines that scored more than 90 points, the equivalent of a Gold Medal.

The complete list of winners:

- Tapiz Reserva Malbec (Argentina): 92 pts
- Alto Altavista (Argentina): 92 pts
- Montes Folly (Chile): 91 pts
- Achaval Ferrer Bella Vista (Argentina): 91 pts
- Viu Manent Malbec (Chile): 91 pts
- Polkura Block G+I (Chile): 90 pts
- Mendel Unus (Argentina): 90 pts
- The Blend Errazuriz (Chile): 90 pts
- Trapiche SV D.F. Sarmiento (Argentina): 90 pts
- Bramare Marchiori (Argentina): 90 pts
- Haras Elegante (Chile): 90 pts
- Norton Privada (Argentina): 90 pts
- Morandé Edición Limitada (Chile): 90 pts
- Catena Alta Chardonnay (Argentina): 90 pts

Enologist Roberto de la Mota, Jesús Guirao, president of Spain's CINVE, Jesús Flores, director of Aula Escuela Madrid and well known Spanish expert María Isabel Mijares were also in attendance as members of the panel of experts.

Mendoza's own journalist Enrique Chrabolowsky was the meeting organizer and mentor. More info here courtesy of MDZ OnLine.

Malbec Wines and more...: Nicolás Catena: "Our Argentine Malbec Has No Comparison"

Nicolás Catena: "Our Argentine Malbec Has No Comparison"

Nicolás Catena: "Our Argentine Malbec Has No Comparison"

In an exclusive interview to a costa rican newspaper, Nicolás Catena, the man who single-handedly change the argentinian wine industry for the better, makes a couple of striking comments about argentine malbec and california wines. It is well worth reading.

"Our Argentine malbec has no comparison, it has red fruit characteristics and concentration unthinkable in a European wine. And consumers are choosing each day a greater proportion of these New World wines."

About the influence that California wines had on his approach to winemaking:

"In the late eighties we started making wine by abandoning the traditional and old Italian or Spanish styles and started using what I call the California version of the French style of Bordeaux and Burgundy. We changed the time of harvesting, extraction method, we starting fermenting in stainless steel tanks and using small new French oak barrels. For the first time an argentinian winery stopped producing wines with excessive oxidation to make wines that tasted what the international markets were demanding".

This father of the modern argentinean malbec is a very proud man:

"Most of the international critics think that Argentine Malbec is unique in the world of red wines and each day increases the demand for it. It is not comparable to anything else because of the greater concentration, exaggerated smoothness and uniqueness of its fruit."

Thanks to his vision, there is a before and after for the mighty Argentinian Malbec.

Bodega Cuvelier Los Andes: The French Cannot Have Enough of Mendoza

The Cuvelier Family from Chateau Leoville-Poyferre (2nd Growth Bordeaux) goes west and sets up shop in Mendoza. Certified French Wine Educator Karl Mann gives us a good rundown of what they are doing:

I had the opportunity the see the winery in Argentina earlier this year during a visit to the Clos de Los Siete Compound. They have one company that manages the vineyards and the irrigation. However, when harvest time arrives, each individual winery then become master of their own arts.To me it is amazing what kind of wines the are producing from vines that are only up to 7 years old. I truly believe that the are amazing wines coming with future vintages.

Michel Rolland is a consultant for the Winery.

2008 Rose "Susana Balbo Crios Rose of Malbec"

Getting ready for Thanksgiving! Another superb wine from Susana Balbo, a complex Rosé that can compete with anything out of the South of France. Do not miss it.

If you like dry Rose this wine is a steal! This strawberry colored Rose made from 100% Malbec opens with a fresh cut strawberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and shows not hard edges. The flavor profile is a tasty ripe strawberry flavor. The finish is dry and nicely refreshing. Pair this food refreshing and easy to drink Rose with grilled salmon.

And you can actually find it for less than U$ 12.00.

Wine tasting in South America: Where to Go and What to Try

Eileen Smith an ex-Brooklynite and freelance writer based in Santiago, Chile, gives a good overview if you are planning a Wine Tasting trip around Argentina or Chile.

Wine tourism is taking hold in South America, and those from the northern hemisphere who are planning a trip should keep in mind that the seasons are reversed down in the southern cone, with the height of summer in January and February and wine harvests generally taking place in March and April.

I made the trip myself a couple of years ago and she is right with this tip:

Entrepreneurial travelers and visitors to Mendoza can rent a car and fill it up with friends and strangers to visit the wineries on their own, (with a designated driver, please!), but more commonly, visitors to the area book day trips with travel agencies to take them amid the rolling hills of the wine region.

If you don't speak any spanish I would suggest that you use a travel agency. Let me know if any of you have any questions. I would gladly help you.