Plano Profile August 2010 : Page 62
taste & style South Americanwines: today’s best buy T he captain’s voice came over the intercom and announced, “Welcome to Dallas, Texas, ladies and gentlemen. We have clear, sunny skies with a temperature of 105 degrees.” The passengers groaned. i leaned over to the traveler on my left and quipped, “Well, it’s winter somewhere, it’s just not here.” South, far below the equator, past the Tropic of Capricorn, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. The vineyards of new Zealand, australia, South africa, Chile, and argentina have been pruned and lay in a state of dormancy until their rebirth in the southern spring, usually around mid-September. in regards to the latter two, Chile and argentina, these countries are supply-ing the United States with a steady stream of big-bang-for-your-buck wines. The regions, and their unique grape varietals as well, are a growing trend of afford-able, stylish, and delicious wines from way south of the border. The regions them-selves are situated along the andes Mountains: argentina’s Mendoza Valley on the east, and Chile’s Central Valle on the west. each region features its own diverse soils and altitudes, but both benefit from mountain snowmelt in the spring. The rivers supply generous and much need-ed irrigation in one of the world’s driest climates, although more so in argentina. The mass migration of europeans to South america during the mid-1800s Three South American wines between $10 and $13 include a 2008 Casillero del Diablo Carmenere from the Rapel Valley of Chile, a 2008 Trivento Torrontés from Mendoza, Argentina, and a 2008 Dona Paula Estate Malbec, also from Mendoza. Profile photo/Mike Newman brought along old World grape varietals and winemaking experience. Malbec (argentina) and carmenere (Chile), two red grapes indigenous to the Bordeaux area of france, have found new fans and great success, and have become the signature 62 Plano Profile August 2010
Wine Sense
Mark Roberts
South American wines: today’s best buy The captain’s voice came over the intercom and announced, “Welcome to Dallas, Texas, ladies and gentlemen. We have clear, sunny skies with a temperature of 105 degrees.” The passengers groaned. I leaned over to the traveler on my left and quipped, “Well, it’s winter somewhere, it’s just not here.” South, far below the equator, past the Tropic of Capricorn, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. The vineyards of new Zealand, australia, South africa, Chile, and argentina have been pruned and lay in a state of dormancy until their rebirth in the southern spring, usually around mid- September.
In regards to the latter two, Chile and argentina, these countries are supplying the United States with a steady stream of big-bangfor- your-buck wines. The regions, and their unique grape varietals as well, are a growing trend of affordable, stylish, and delicious wines from way south of the border.
The regions themselves are situated along the andes Mountains: argentina’s Mendoza Valley on the east, and Chile’s Central Valle on the west. Each region features its own diverse soils and altitudes, but both benefit from mountain snowmelt in the spring. The rivers supply generous and much needed irrigation in one of the world’s driest climates, although more so in argentina.
The mass migration of europeans to South america during the mid-1800s brought along old World grape varietals and winemaking experience. Malbec (argentina) and carmenere (Chile), two red grapes indigenous to the Bordeaux area of france, have found new fans and great success, and have become the signatureVariety of those countries.
In fact, these two grapes are planted here in more acreage than in any other part of the world today. The original vineyards in france are dwarfed in comparison.
Common white grapes such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and riesling are also grown. Argentina produces a white grape called torrontés, which is very similar to sauvignon blanc. It is so similar, in fact, that until recent Dna fingerprinting proved otherwise, it was thought to be sauvignon blanc.
Chile and argentina represent solid, good quality wines for the price. From the $10 tier, the wines are typically stainless steel fermented with no barrel aging. They deliver lively fruit and are affordable quaffing wines.
At the higher price tier, say $20 and up, the wines are from lower yields and receive extended barrel aging, giving the wines a richness and complexity that rival their northern Hemisphere counterparts at twice the price.
Pictured here are three starters between $10 and $13 that will give you good representation from these two hot—and at this moment chilly—wine growing countries.
Enjoy the 2008 Trivento Torrontés from Mendoza argentina, the 2008 Casillero del Diablo Carmenere from the rapel Valley of Chile, and the 2008 Dona Paula estate Malbec, also from Mendoza argentina.
South american wines are today’s best buy category and widely available.
Explore! —
