Author

Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes is a British journalist who has been living in the Southern Hemisphere since 2009, has tried over 500 Malbecs, eaten over 600 Chilean oysters and still has a functioning liver and kidneys (as far as she knows).

Ultimate guide to the Calchaquí Valleys wine region

by Amanda Barnes May 30, 2022

written by Amanda Barnes

In Northern Argentina the Calchaquí Valleys are one of the most distinctive wine regions of the country: known for intense sunlight, high altitude and powerful red and white wines (especially its world-famous Torrontés!) Find out all about the sub regions like Salta, Cafayate and Cachi in our ultimate guide to the wine region of Calchaquí!

Guide to Calchaquí Valleys wine region

Sub-regions of the Calchaquí Valleys

Notable Producers

Quick Guide to the Calchaquí Valleys

Best Wines to try

Map of the Calchaquí Valleys

Travel often feels surreal, but a trip to the Calchaquí Valleys can seem positively hallucinogenic! This is, indeed, one of Argentina’s most extraordinary wine regions…

Guide to the Calchaquí Valleys wine regions

First planted with vines in the middle of the 17th century, when Jesuit missionaries swept through the territories of Argentina, today the Calchaquí Valleys are the most important wine region in Northern Argentina, with over 4,200 hectares of vines. This is, in fact, the place that holds the record for having the oldest productive vines in Argentina, planted in 1862 and still producing Torrontés wine for Bodegas Etchart.

May 30, 2022 0 comment

Guide to Chardonnay in South America, best wines from Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil

Brazil Features Beyond Uruguay Features Chile Features Argentina Wine Guide Argentina Features Chile Wine Guide Uruguay Wine Guide Wine Brazil Wine Guide

The ultimate guide to Chardonnay wines in South America

by Amanda Barnes May 25, 2022

written by Amanda Barnes

As we celebrate Chardonnay Day this 26th May, we wanted to bring you the ultimate guide to Chardonnay in South America. Chardonnay is one of the world’s most-planted grape varieties and comes in all styles from almost every wine country. Ranging from tropical fruit aromas such as pineapple and melon in warmer climates, to citrusy notes of lemon and apple in cool climates, Chardonnay is grown in diverse wine regions from the heartland of Chablis and Burgundy to New World wine meccas of California and Margaret River. In South America too Chardonnay is one of the most important grape varieties, and in recent years has gained recognition for producing some of the most exciting wines in Chile and Argentina with Limari and the Uco Valley, in particular, standing out for top quality.

Chardonnay isn’t only important in terms of still wines but it is also the backbone of the best bubblies in Brazil, as well as for sparkling wines in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Plantings of Chardonnay are relatively small in Bolivia and Peru, but it is still well-loved in every wine country of South America.

Guide to Chardonnay in Chile

Hectares planted: 10,920 hectares

Key descriptors

Medium lemon in colour. Aromas of minerals, white peaches, green apple & fennel, depending on the region. Dry with mouth-watering (high) acidity, and medium to full body.

Winemaking styles

Top examples are typically fermented or aged in French oak barrels to add complexity and palate weight. Mostly monovarietal, around 13.5%.

Although Chardonnay has a long history in Chile, it wasn’t until the major quality revolution of the last decade that we began to see this notoriously challenging variety step out into the limelight. Previously Chilean Chardonnay suffered from widespread mediocrity, but I feel that over the last five years Chile has been producing some thrilling Chardonnay.

May 25, 2022 0 comment

COW Chilean organic winegrowers association launched

Chile Features Wine

Introducing COW: Chilean Organic Winegrowers

by Amanda Barnes May 24, 2022

written by Amanda Barnes

Chile’s top organic winegrowers and wineries have come together to launch their own organic wine association — COW, standing for Chilean Organic Winegrowers.

Officially announced earlier this month, the association comprises some of the leading organic wine estates in Chile including: Emiliana, Cono Sur, Koyle, Matetic, Miguel Torres Chile, Odfjell, Veramonte and De Martino.

Together with the support of Wines of Chile, the group will focus on developing research into organic viticulture and wine production and promote Chilean organic wines, raising awareness for greater sustainability in the vineyard and winery.

May 24, 2022 0 comment

Brazil Features Foodie Brazil Foodie

The ultimate feijoada recipe

by Amanda Barnes May 20, 2022

written by Amanda Barnes

Wondering how to make the typical feijoada in Brazilian cuisine? Check out our recipe for a rich and flavourful Brazilian black bean stew known as feijoada.

Feijoada (or black bean stew) is one of the most typical dishes from Brazil and its name comes from the word feijão, which means bean in Portuguese. Black beans are a staple in Brazil, and this is often called the national dish of Brazil! The main ingredients are black beans, salted beef, and pork which are cooked very slowly and served as a stew with rice, leafy greens, and farofa. It is the ultimate comfort food and deserves a good hearty South American red wine to pair with it.

The ultimate Feijoada recipe

Ingredients for feijoada for 4 people

1 cup of dried black beans
1 cup of finely diced or chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced or chopped
1 kg (2.2 lbs) of pork (ribs are preferred, but anything goes!)
1 kg (2.2 lbs) of dried beef
A couple sausages or chorizos
4 strips of cooked bacon (remove the fatty rind)
1 cup of water
1 cup of chicken or meat broth
Bay leaves
Salt & pepper to taste
Chopped coriander to taste

May 20, 2022 0 comment

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