Argentine Wines 101 and Q&A thread
Dec 6, 2006 | 5:08 am
#31
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Tomorrow is my last day in BA and of course I got too busy to head over to Gaucho's shop to pick up my wine to take home with me. I'm looking for a Malbec, Torrontes, and dessert wine for under $100 US and packaged to bring back to the US (Is there a maximum number of bottles I can take?). I'd like to find a shop near 344 Santa Maria. Thanks in advance
Matt
Matt
Dec 6, 2006 | 5:39 am
#32
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I got your PM.... if you are on San Martin you are downtown. Please see my PM reply with the information you requested.
Dec 6, 2006 | 5:43 am
#33
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I was quite disappointed to find that many restaurants and bars do not have Torrontes. I was hoping to have some with my Pacu but the restaurant I went to only had pretty blah white wines.
I had been exposed to the grape only shortly before my trip because Trader Joe's had a $5 Torrontes and I needed a cooking wine for fish. I thought it was the best $5 white that I have ever tasted.
I only had Torrontes in one restaurant, some semi-fancy place near the busy square in Palermo Viejo (or is that some other Palermo???). The winery was Don David and it was much better than the stuff from TJs.
What's considered to be the creme de la creme of Torrontes? I think it is a remarkable grape.
I had been exposed to the grape only shortly before my trip because Trader Joe's had a $5 Torrontes and I needed a cooking wine for fish. I thought it was the best $5 white that I have ever tasted.
I only had Torrontes in one restaurant, some semi-fancy place near the busy square in Palermo Viejo (or is that some other Palermo???). The winery was Don David and it was much better than the stuff from TJs.
What's considered to be the creme de la creme of Torrontes? I think it is a remarkable grape.
Colome Torrontes (Salta) **
San Pedro de Yacochuya Torrontes (Salta)
Susana Balbo Crios Torrontes (Salta)
There are a couple of Torrontes' from Mendoza, but Im not too crazy about those. I share your enthusiasm for Torrontes, its a new exciting grape that will help open new markets for Argentine wines.
Dec 15, 2006 | 8:11 am
#34
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I have been very pleased and surprised with my latest purchase of wines from Argentina.
I bought two cases each of Tittarelli sangovesi res., malbec familia res, and tempranillo res. the tempranillo is a real surprise. it is a supurb wine.
also got 4 cases of finca la escondida res chard 04. this is quite a decent chard for the money. They also seem to call themselves Andean Vinas. the vineyard number A-71058 seems to trace to Finca Las Moras. I presume this to be a private labeling for the US(VA) importer. WS gave this wine a 90. don't know if that good, but certainly close. dc stores have it for $13.
I bought two cases each of Tittarelli sangovesi res., malbec familia res, and tempranillo res. the tempranillo is a real surprise. it is a supurb wine.
also got 4 cases of finca la escondida res chard 04. this is quite a decent chard for the money. They also seem to call themselves Andean Vinas. the vineyard number A-71058 seems to trace to Finca Las Moras. I presume this to be a private labeling for the US(VA) importer. WS gave this wine a 90. don't know if that good, but certainly close. dc stores have it for $13.
Dec 15, 2006 | 8:32 am
#35
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On the subject of Torrontes.... the San Pedro de Yacochuya Torrontes 2006 is a very nice, crisp option for those looking to sample this indigenous varietal.
Jan 6, 2007 | 7:57 am
#36
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TIME Magazine about Argentine Wine
TIME Magazine from December 25, 2006 Page 28
2006 was a good year for ....
There is a picture with three wine bottles,
one is Foster, the others I can't read.
Good luck Gaucho100K ^
2006 was a good year for ....
ARGENTINE WINE
Don't cry for Argentina. The popularity of its
wine is soaring. Varieties like Malbec (grown
in the Mendoza region) are winning over U.S.
oenophiles with their bold flavors.
Don't cry for Argentina. The popularity of its
wine is soaring. Varieties like Malbec (grown
in the Mendoza region) are winning over U.S.
oenophiles with their bold flavors.
one is Foster, the others I can't read.
Good luck Gaucho100K ^
Last edited by USAFAN; Jan 6, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Jan 6, 2007 | 11:19 am
#37
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Thanks USAFan, it has been indeed a good 2006 for the Wines of Argentina. Do you know if there is an online-version of the article? Thanks.
Jan 6, 2007 | 12:23 pm
#38
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Very short .. no pictures
Read this too:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...994962,00.html
Feb 2, 2007 | 1:23 pm
#40
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For those interested in Argentine wines with a US connection, check out the wines made by Californian Winemaker Paul Hobbs.
His entry level Nativo line of wines are readily availble throughout the USA, and are more reasonably priced than his premium Bramare line of labels.
His entry level Nativo line of wines are readily availble throughout the USA, and are more reasonably priced than his premium Bramare line of labels.
Feb 7, 2007 | 8:12 am
#43
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While shopping the wine section at Costco yesterday, I came across a Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec. It's bottled by Bodega Terrazas de Los Andes winery in the Mendoza region.
This winery didn't appear on your recommended list so I was wondering if it was a winery you were familiar with and/or had any comments on?
Thanks....
Feb 8, 2007 | 1:16 pm
#44
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Hello Cholula-- I am very familiar with Terrazas, they are a very good producer. Terrazas belongs to the French Multinational LVMH, and are very much a global player in the industry. They make a lot of wine, some very good, and also some others that are just "also-rans". Nothing Terrazas will produce will ever be bad, but perhaps some of their more standard stuff will have no flaws, but perhaps lack a "soul"... if you know what I mean.
Terrazas has many lines of wines... Im assuming you found the Terrazas Alto which is their basic every day wine (the one with the colorful label showing the Andes Mountains). If priced correctly, its a good option for everyday drinking. I think that Cabernet is their best varietal, although the Malbec is their best seller.
Terrazas has many lines of wines... Im assuming you found the Terrazas Alto which is their basic every day wine (the one with the colorful label showing the Andes Mountains). If priced correctly, its a good option for everyday drinking. I think that Cabernet is their best varietal, although the Malbec is their best seller.
Feb 8, 2007 | 4:19 pm
#45
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Excelent questions... ^ I assume you meant to write "familia" as the first term, am I correct?
" Reserva " has no formal wine meaning in Argentina, so there are no given requirements or specifications that a wine must comply with to use the word Reserva on its labels.
" Familia " means family in Spanish... and has no specific meaning in the labeling of Argentine wines. However, some producers will use the term " Reserva de la Familia " to denote a special limited edition, or a premium label that they may have as part of their portfolio. Depending on the specific producer, this usually means that the wines are of better quality.
" Reserva " has no formal wine meaning in Argentina, so there are no given requirements or specifications that a wine must comply with to use the word Reserva on its labels.
" Familia " means family in Spanish... and has no specific meaning in the labeling of Argentine wines. However, some producers will use the term " Reserva de la Familia " to denote a special limited edition, or a premium label that they may have as part of their portfolio. Depending on the specific producer, this usually means that the wines are of better quality.