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An Afternoon at Argentina's Flichman Vineyards

partysugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:50:48 -0800

This story was written by member Eleuthera and comes from the Wine Cellar group in the YumSugar Community.I recently had a chance to attend a wine tasting for Flichman from Argentina. I especially enjoyed the experience because I had a chance to chat with the winemaker, Luis Cabral de Almeida. From my standpoint, it didn't hurt that he was pretty hot also. We began with a bottle of their Chardonnay for $8. Frankly, I didn't want to taste a bottle of $8 Chardonnay as I hate that overly oaked buttery flavor of vanilla predominating, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was delightful and easily equal to wines I have enjoyed at twice the price. In fact everyone of the wines' price points was spectacular.

To learn more about these amazingly priced Argentine wines read more.

Although there were some I preferred more than others, I enjoyed all of them. All the others, with the exception of an interesting and delightful champagne (for about $8!!) were red. In fact, even the champagne was made in part from Malbec also! The biggest surprise of the afternoon was how much I enjoyed Malbec.

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.

One I liked is called Gestos (2007) (gestures in English) and it was made from Malbec at two different elevations. You have to be careful because there are several varieties of Gestos, including one with Cabernet. The first thing one notices was the lovely aromas, like blackberries and maybe blueberries. The taste was even richer with jammy qualities mixed with the French oak and the earthy background.

Luis was kind enough to explain to me at length that he uses two different elevations of Malbec in order to achieve an extremely well-rounded wine. It is somewhat interesting that Argentina seems one of the few places where this combination can be exploited, although to a lesser degree, California winemakers have been touting mountain grown fruit for years. I rated this wine at least 88 points and perhaps even 89 out of 100. It was $12 or 13 and worth every penny.

Another wine I liked and purchased was the 2007 Expresiones reserve which was 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet. I would rate this slightly better, perhaps 89-90 points as it had a lingering finish. The complexity reminded me greatly of a Bordeaux style wine and it had the great structure of the Cabernet with the luscious sweet berry qualities of the Malbec. Personally I think this will do better with a few years of patience, although it is delightful now.

The last one I tasted was called Dedicado (2004) and it was clearly the top of the line. At almost $20 it was hitting my price point, but rarely have I had a wine this good for this money...so I bought two. The bottle weighs a ton and it is a mixture of Cabernet, Syrah, and Malbec (30%,10% and 60%). It spends 12 months in new French french oak and 12 months in the bottle according to the label, but I thought Luis told me this one spent 2 years in wood. In short, I thought the result was stunning, perhaps even 91-92 points. The deep intensity and aroma of the berries and black pepper is wonderful and its opulence is nothing short of amazing with a lovely lingering finish. It will benefit from a year or two more in my estimation but it's fantastic just the way it is, at least with an hour or two of breathing.

Because of the high inflation in Argentina and the fact that they are tied to the Euro which is strong (the owners are a Portuguese group) the wines get the benefit of great prices on oak barrels. As far as price point is concerned, I thought each of these wines was wonderful and they certainly impressed me a great deal. Luis wasn't all that bad either!

Have you been to an amazing winery? Join the Wine Cellar group, upload your photos and a description of the experience, and it could be featured on YumSugar! If you are new to the YumSugar Community, here's a detailed guide to posting to groups.

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Definition: Malbec

partysugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 00:11:12 -0800

Malbec
A red grape variety used for making wine. In the Bordeaux region of France, in California, and in other parts of the world, the Malbec grape variety is usually used as a blending component with Cabernet-based wines. In Cahors, a southwestern region in France, it is blended with Merlot. In Argentina, on the other hand, it is widely planted and frequently bottled solo.

Malbecs tend to be fairly deep in color with dark berry flavors and a fair amount of tannin. A rustic, mid-bodied wine that is great with pork, veal, and spicy foods.

Survey, Study Cast Red Wine in a Positive Light

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

It may be a stressful time for makers of rosé, but for red wine producers, things are looking up: at the same time that a new scientific study suggests red wine may help you think, the results of a large survey indicate women prefer red over white and rosé wines.

According to a Northumbria University study, men and women performed better in math exams after being given resveratrol, a plant chemical naturally found in red wine; researchers involved say the chemical boosts the brain's blood supply. Incidentally, a Vinexpo survey of more than 4,000 women in the US, UK, France, Japan, and Germany has concluded that women actually prefer reds over whites and rosés, considering red wine compatible with a healthy, balanced diet. The survey results run contrary to the long-held stereotype that women prefer lighter-bodied white wines.

Perhaps the wine industry will take note of this - since apparently 80 percent of women are also in charge of choosing the wine for their household. I love every red from Malbec to Merlot, but now have an excuse to drink that extra glass of wine! Are you surprised to hear the survey results? Are the health benefits among the reasons you drink wine?

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All the News That's Fit to Eat - Jan. 28, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:30:51 -0800

The complete, illustrated guide to ordering the Cantonese brunch known as dim sum. - San Francisco Chronicle
Get a head start on Spring cleaning by updating your pantry items. - The Oregonian
This Super Bowl Sunday, forget rising chicken wing prices and turn to turkey. - Los Angeles Times
A recipe for the Bacon Explosion has swept the Internet. - New York Times
Argentine Malbec, with its peppery, crisp, berry flavors, has become wildly popular. - Wall Street Journal
During Winter's coldest days, stay cozy with cassoulet. - Boston Globe
Master the art of flavor with the current bestselling cookbook, which codifies ingredient combinations. - Chicago Tribune
Toaster ovens make countertop cooking for one an easy feat. - Washington Post

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Happy Hour: Encyclopedia

partysugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:15:34 -0700

I'm a huge fan of Francis Ford Coppola's Sofia Sparkling wine, so when I heard the famed director had released a new label, Encyclopedia ($15.00), I was eager to check it out. With its beaker-shaped bottle, Encyclopedia appeals to the younger wine drinker. According to Coppola the wine is "about learning and exploring. It's for people who want to know more about wine and how it is connected to geography, to history, to myth."

There are six varieties: Pinot Grigio, Tempranillo, Malbec, Riesling, Torrontés, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each is made with grapes from the variety's native region. For example, the Pinot Grigio is made with grapes from delle Venezia, Italy and the Tempranillo comes from Yecla, Spain. The wines represent and respect the tradition and culture of each wine-making region.

I tried the Riesling and the Cab and found both delightful, well-balanced, and highly drinkable. I hope to try the rest soon. If you are new to wine, or enjoy sipping new wines, I highly recommend seeking out Encyclopedia. When the wine is gone, the bottle makes a pretty vase!

BevMo Five-Cent Wine Sale Going on Now

partysugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:00:52 -0700

Over the weekend I stepped into Beverages and More to purchase a bottle of Canton Ginger Liqueur. Imagine my delight when I realized the store was in the middle of a wine sale. Not just any sale, their exceptional buy one bottle, get the second bottle for five cents sale! With over 100 wines to choose from, this sale is a great way to stock up on wine for dinner parties, hostess gifts, or simply to fill your wine cellar. I went for South American wines, picking up two malbecs, a torrentes, and a carmenere blend. Have you been to the sale? What did you purchase?

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Come Party With Me: Hanukkah Luncheon - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:27:19 -0800

Unlike Passover, it's not traditional to consume kosher beverages on Hanukkah. If you prefer to serve a kosher drink, stock up on He'Brew, the well-made Jewish beer.

Other than that, offer guests wine and a signature cocktail. An unusual wine like an Argentine Malbec pairs nicely with brisket. Since this is a celebration, pour another wine for dessert. A sparkling wine, dessert wine, or sweet Riesling are prefect for preparing the sufganiyot. Don't overlook water, sparkling apple cider, and grape juice.

As the guests arrive, get the party started with a round of blue ginger gimlets. This twist on the classic cocktail is light and refreshing. For the recipe that will have you saying cheers, read more

Blue Ginger Gimlet
From Ming Tasi

27 oz. (3 1/4 cups plus 2 tbsp.) sweet-and-sour mix
6 1/2 oz. (3/4 cup plus 1 tbsp.) freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 6 medium limes)
26 1/2 oz. (3/4 cup plus 1 tbsp.) ginger syrup, recipe below
40 oz. (5 cups) vodka, well chilled
Lime wedges, for garnish (from about 3 medium limes)

In large pitcher, stir together sweet-and-sour mix, lime juice, and ginger syrup. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Gimlet mix can be refrigerated up to 2 hours. When ready to serve, shake each cocktail to order.
In chilled cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz. gimlet mix, 2 oz. vodka, and 3 to 4 ice cubes. Shake well and strain into chilled martini glass.
Garnish with lime wedge and serve.

Makes 20 drinks.

Ginger Syrup
7 3/4 cups (about 4 lbs.) sugar
4 1/2 cups fresh ginger, peeled and cut into 1/8 in. slices (about 3 large hands)

In medium saucepan over high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, sugar, and ginger and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered until syrupy and reduced by half, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Strain into medium bowl, cover with plastic, and refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour.

Makes about 27 oz.

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Forget Wine in a Box, It's Time For Wine in a Can

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:28:33 -0700

By now, we're all familiar with box wine, screw top wine, and regular wine, but have you heard of canned wine?

Well, if Argentinean company Iron Wine has their way, you will soon. The Buenos Aires based company has just released two wines - a chenin blanc and a malbec and cabernet blend - in either eight and half or twelve ounce cans. The cans look just like soda cans, and the company defends their packaging by saying that they are perfect since they effectively block out light and air. Unfortunately the Associated Press is reporting that the wine is not yet available in the US, but I plan on trying it as soon as it is.

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Cheers To Miner Wines

partysugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:03:31 -0700

For my birthday I invited a small group of friends to join me for a wine tasting in Napa. We visited a few wineries, but our favorite was Miner family vineyards. The excellent PR girl had arranged a private tasting and tour, complete with a surprise birthday cake for yours truly! Our guide, the jovial and informative Jaime, began by giving us a sampling of the Miner Sauvignon Blanc and Rosato. Next we moved on to the Sangiovese and the Pinot Noir - both of which were outstanding. However the best wine was the limited edition Benedetto blend series. A smooth and bountiful red, this wine was like heaven in a glass. Jaime lead us through the wine making rooms and into the Miner caves. Nestled in the base of a small mountain, the caves hold thousands of aging barrels of wine. We sampled a 2006 Malbec which they plan on using to make their signature blends. Later he showed us the private cave dining room where we had an impromptu birthday party. If you are planning a trip to wine country, Miner winery is a MUST stop. If you won't be coming to California anytime in the near future seek out these wines at your local wine shop. Miner wines have been served at the White House so I can guarantee you will not be disappointed. To check out the entire gallery of images from my trip there, read more

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Happy Hour: Legaris Crianza Ribera Del Duero 2003

partysugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:13:13 -0700

A few weeks ago I rushed into my favorite local wine shop (I can't tell you how great it is to have a local wine shop!) and announced to the always amazing Jason, that I needed something red that would pair wonderfully with tapas. My sister was home and my dad and I were having a Spanish tapa fiesta. Jason - who is totally in the know with all things wine and good buddies with George Lucas' personal sommelier - showed me the perfect bottle. An aged red from the northwest central region of Spain, the bottle's label was surprisingly simple. When I arrived home bottle in hand, I was devastated to see my sister had stopped at Cost Plus and had picked up a bottle of Malbec for dinner. She had already poured a glass, so the Legaris Crianza went into the cellar.

Fast forward to National Grilled Cheese Day when my bff Emily was over for wine and grilled cheese. We opened the Legaris and were absolutely amazed. I loved this smooth wine with a silky texture and plum undertones. It's a very balanced red that slides down the throat and is far from over-powering with berry notes lingering on the finish. I asked Emily to pour me what I thought was my second glass and we were both shocked to see we had finished the entire bottle without even noticing! If you are looking for a radiant red to pair with a Spanish style menu, I highly suggest trying this wine - I know I'm definitely having it again!