Our latest offering for Fall 2013 comes from the 2 powerhouse wine producing countries of Chile and Argentina. Both these countries have been duelling for the title of best wine producer in South America and we thought that we would throw some fuel on the fire.
Chile is known for its excellent cool-climate whites from the cooler regions of Aconcagua, San Antonio, Casablanca and Leyda while its red wines from the Maipo, Colchagua and Rapel valleys are also attracting a lot of attention. The best Chilean whites appear to come from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay varietals while the in the reds Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are dominant.
Argentina has been on a non-stop rise over the last 5 years due largely to the Malbec grape. For some strange reason it reached the heights of complexity in high altitude Mendoza while it was relegated to a minor blending option in its original home of Bordeaux. However, it is the Malbec based Argentinian blends that really seem to have raised the bar in what this grape can do. The other major variety to come out of Argentina is the white Torrontes grape. This aromatic varietal tastes somewhere between Gewurztraminer and Viognier and does best in the cooler sites of Salta and Tupungato.
This is an offering where there are no losers…the drinker always wins.