Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

At the time of writing, it is currently 61 Degrees in Portland, and sunny with Spring-like weather. Where alse is it 61 degrees? South America, of course! (Yes, I know it’s 61 degrees in many places, but I needed SOME kind of segueway.) Of course, it would be Autum-like weather down there, and they are probably getting ready to harvest the grapes for the next great vintage of wonderful South American wines.

But for now, we can sample some of the past few vintages of these wines. The history of wine in South America started in the 1500′s with Spanish vines that Cortez had brought over, which is really of little consequence now, since those vines are mostly, if not completely gone (although we still do find some Tempranillo in South America). Fast-forward to the late 1800′s, when wealthy landowners in Chile modeled their wineries after those found in the Bordeaux region of France. This is why we find Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Carmeniere, the lost grape of Bordeaux. Carmeniere was almost completely wiped out in Bordeaux, due to the Phylloxera epidemic. South American vines were not affected by this vine destroying louse.

“Enough with the History lesson!” you say. “What are we drinking Friday?”

Just a fine assortment of wines from Chile, the South American country which is about as wide as the I-5 freeway, and Argentina, Chile’s much larger neighbor. Both countries have many llamas and penguins, not that this fact has much bearing on the wines. . .or does it?

So Friday, March 12th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Wines of South America!
Cremaschi-Barriga 2002 Santa Maria Carmeniere, Maule Valley, Chile
Los Cardos 2002 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Guelbenzu 2002 Jardin Cab/Carmeniere, Colchagua Valley, Chile
Graffigna 2000 Syrah/Malbec, Tullum Valley, San Juan, Argentina
Apaltagua 2001 Envero (Cab/Carmeniere), Colchagua Valley, Chile

The Extra-Special Premium Pours:
Montes Alpha 2001 Syrah, Santa Cruz, Apalta Vineyard, Chile
Santa Rita 1997 La Floresta (Syrah, Cab. Sauv., Carmeniere), Maipo Valley, Chile

A good deal at $10 for the first 5, and $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours.
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next week is South Africa!
M