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Torrontes

Susana Balbo Wines (Dominio del Plata)

by Amanda Barnes May 26, 2016

Susana Balbo Wines, formerly Dominio del Plata, is the winery of Argentina’s first female winemaker, and one of the leaders of the industry today, Susana Balbo and her family. Known as the Queen of Torrontés, Balbo certainly pioneered the modern and fresh style of Argentina’s native white variety we know and love today, but she and her talented team of winemakers and viticulturists also make some of Argentina’s most exciting red wines – notably from Luján de Cuyo, where the winery and its restaurants are based, and the Uco Valley.

About Susana Balbo Wines

Susana Balbo Wines is the family winery of esteemed winemaker Susana Balbo and was established in 1999 under its former name, Dominio del Plata. Located in Luján de Cuyo, in the renowned red wine region of Agrelo, the winery is now run by Susana, her two children José and Ana, and her General Manager and one of Argentina’s top viticulturalists, Edy del Popolo.

May 26, 2016 0 comment

By Region Wine

What to drink from Chile & Argentina this holiday season

by Amanda Barnes December 22, 2015

written by Amanda Barnes

As Christmas and New Year parties are firmly upon us, you might be wondering what wines you should be uncorking from South America this festive season. Here’s a quick guide to some wines from Chile and Argentina to impress and enjoy over this holiday season.

A show stopping white for a classy party…

If you are having a classy affair for Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, you might want to look at one of the very classy Chardonnays coming from both countries. While Chardonnay was in recent memory a variety that people turned their nose up to (thanks to a popular uprising of ABC: ‘anything but chardonnay’), it is now back in fashion and Chile and Argentina are making some seriously stylish Chardonnays. You’ll need to spend over $30USD on a good bottle, but you won’t be disappointed: from the steely and mineral Chardonnays from Limari on the Chilean coast (try Talinay by Tabali, and Quebrada Seca by Maycas de Limari and De Martino), to the handsome old world elegance of Aconcagua Costa (try Las Pizarras by Errazuriz), and over to the rich yet savory Chardonnay of the Uco Valley (try Catena Zapata White Bones/Stones, El Enemigo, and Lindaflor by Monteviejo). These Chardonnays aren’t just for ladies though – they can all stand their own, and even follow a red on the dinner table.

Party bubbles…

If you are looking for more of a party pop (that you can afford to pop more than once!) then pick up a sparkling pink Pais from Maule (Santa Digna Estelado by Miguel Torres), or one of the many charmat method bubblies from either side of the Andes (from Mendoza try Cruzat or Reginato, and from Chile try Undurraga‘s Brut Nature from Limari).

If you are planning to make New Year’s Eve a night to remember, and want to impress someone special, then go for one of the more complex champenoise method sparkling wines that have a more structured and rich mouth feel from years of aging on the lees (from Chile try Morande‘s Brut Nature, and from Argentina Cruzat‘s Cuvee Nature or Rose or their newly released 5 year old cuvee). For something a bit more unusual, try Bodegas RE‘s sublime Virgin.

Christmas Day reds…

Although you might be eating Turkey, something calls for a big, dramatic red on the table for Christmas Day. South America might be a long haul flight from Bordeaux, but it doesn’t stop them making some darn fine Bordeaux blends. Malbec is the dominating component in Argentina, and Cabernet Sauvignon is in Chile. Some top pours include Matervini from Salta, Ultima Hoja from Bressia in Mendoza, Domus Aurelia from Maipo Chile, and Sena from Aconcagua.

A wine for Boxing Day leftovers…

When you have had a little too much to eat, and probably too much to drink, from the celebratory Christmas binges the day before, you need something a bit lighter and refreshing to accompany your hangover and table of leftovers. Try chilling a Chilean Pais (try Pais Salvaje), a light Argentine Bonarda (try Bonarda Pura by Passionate Wines), or a fruity Cinsault from Itata (try Don Cande by Koyle).

If you are by the beach…

You lucky thing! Spending Christmas and New Year in the sunny Southern Hemisphere is a very sunny affair. You’ll need refreshing whites to cool you down, and you need not look any further than Torrontes and Sauvignon Blanc. Torrontes from Argentina has a flirty, floral quality that is perfect pool-side (try Colome and Dominio del Plata), and Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from the coastal regions of Casablanca and San Antonio has those tropical and herbal notes accompanied by a good bite of acidity that make them ideal for washing down fresh seafood and ceviche by the seaside.

Whatever the weather, and whatever your mood – here are a few suggestions from South America to get your New Year off to a good start. Salud!

December 22, 2015 0 comment

Argentina Wine Guide By Region Argentina Features Features Wine

Wine varieties to try in Argentina

by Amanda Barnes June 6, 2015

written by Amanda Barnes

Argentina is not just Malbec… there are a handful of interesting wine varieties to try and you’ll be surprised with all that is on offer in the white, red, pink and sparkling sectors. Here is a rundown of the best wine varieties to try in Argentina.

Cabernet Franc

This has been the ‘new’ variety for quite some time now. It’s not new anymore… but it has proved it was worth the hype. Cabernet Franc is producing some of the most exciting wines at the moment that are garnering some of the highest attention. Intense, spicy and so very different to other Cabernet Francs in the world. This is not a cheap wine to produce and the best tend to come with rather steep price tags. One to splash out on.

Chardonnay

There are some firm believers that Argentina can produce great Chardonnays, and there are some doubters too. My recommendation is try from the top and you certainly won’t be disappointed. The bottles recommended below all dedicate a lot of time and love to maintaining the bright fruit of Chardonnay with a flinty mineral characteristic and a smooth and seductive nuance of barrel aging. Serious Chardonnays are the way to go in Argentina, and best to pick from the tippy top heights of the Uco Valley.

Petit Verdot

Mendoza’s odd ball in the family. Traditionally just used as a very small part of the classic Bordeaux blend, like Malbec and Cabernet Franc it has found its own solo identity in Mendoza being used as a single variety wine. Petit Verdot though is a little like marmite – some hate it, some love it. Dare you to try and see which camp you fall on.

Recommended: Decero, Ruca Malen, Vistalba (Tomero), Bodega Chaman.

Torrontes

The undisputed Queen of Argentine wine: Torrontes is pretty, floral, exuberant and memorable. Easy to drink and even better to party with. It typically comes from the lofty heights of Cafayate in Salta, northern Argentina, but you can also find good Torrontes in La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza. We’ve seen all sorts of trends of Torrontes come and go, but this wine is best when made how nature intended: a lady’s wine. A machista wouldn’t be far from the truth when describing her beautiful first impression, but when you get down to it, she is quite simple.

Cabernet Sauvignon

This classic variety has a long history battling with Malbec as the most esteemed wine in the country. Let’s be honest, it lost. However there are many advocates of Cab still working hard to prove to the world that Argentina can be one of the finest producers of this, the most popular red variety worldwide.

Recommended: Cobos, Catena Zapata, Clos de Chacras, Kaiken.

Semillon

At one stage, this was the most planted white variety in Argentina. While stocks may be dwindling, it is still prominent in white table wine and is a rather overlooked variety. A couple winemakers though have started paying more serious attention to the neglected variety and are making some great examples that tell a story of Argentina’s past and perhaps hint towards the future.

Recommended: Mendel, Nieto Senetiner (DOC), Passionate Wines.

Bonarda

Another of Argentina’s most widely planted grapes, Bonarda has been the workhorse of Argentine reds for as long as most vines remember. It is used widely in blends and table wines, but it also makes an incredibly approachable and enjoyable single red: fruit forward, lush and easy drinking.

Recommended: Cara Sur, Passionate Wine, Caligliori, El Enemigo, Zuccardi, Mairena, Altos Las Hormigas.

Pinot Noir

A notoriously tricky variety to grow, Pinot Noir is sublime when it is done well and disappointing when it is not. Expect to pay some top dollar for the good ones. The most renowned region for Argentine Pinot is Patagonia, although Gualtallary in the Uco Valley is catching up making some excellent value and distinct Pinot Noir.

Recommended: Patagonia – Bodega Chacra, Humberto Canale. Mendoza – Zorzal.

Malbec

Malbec was probably already on your bucket list and it deserves to stay there – the undoubted ruler of Argentine wine. Whether you prefer a light, fruity and uncomplicated Malbec, a dense, jammy and complex Malbec or a smooth, dark and elegant Malbec, it’s all here! It would be impossible to tell you the best Malbec, but here are some of the top producers that are personal faves and show a great variety for Argentina’s flagship.

June 6, 2015 0 comment

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