WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

This week were heading back to the Southern Hemisphere again with the wonderful wines of Argentina! A few months ago I had a tasting of South American wines which, really when you think about it, is just Chile and Argentina. (Since the Peruvian wines aren’t imported that often, and the products of the other South American countries are mostly smuggled into the country). During that tasting I was just reminded of how disappointed I usually am with the wines from Chile, no matter what the critics and “Professionals” happen to say. They say Chile is a good value. . .but how good of a value is it to buy a cheap wine you can finally admit you don’t want to drink?

However, what I discovered during that tasting, is the Argentinean wine market is exporting better and more interesting wines than Chile. The signature Malbec and Torrontes grape varietals are tasting awesome, and winemakers are creating more interesting blends and creative packaging. . .Which is important, y’know. Most experts won’t admit that a pretty label does make a wine taste better! I believe it’s something about the osmosis of the good mojo of a feel-good label seeping through the glass of the bottle, enchanting it with the magicalness of good graphic design. . .Maybe I’m wrong. But maybe not.

Anyway, the lesson learned here is that there is no reason to force the Chile issue if Argentina is surpassing Chile in quality and value. So until I can see that Chile is getting its collective act together, Argentina will be the Carpe Vinum ambassador to South America.

And speaking of lessons learned, a couple weeks ago I was slated to have a musician in here to compliment the wine tasting. Of course, with the guy being a no-show, I thought I might book a musicians who won’t forget to show up! And those musicians are guitarist/singer William James, percussionist Jason Mockley, and Violaist (Violalist? Vilelololist? She plays Viola. . .Voila!) Eve James! They will be here tomorrow to set the mood for these wonderful Argentinean wines. Perhaps they’ll play “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”. . .or at least Don Gato. (If you don’t know, you’ll find out. . .)

So Friday, May 20th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Don’t Whine For Me Argentina!
La Yunta 2004 Torrontes, Famatina Valley, La Rioja
Lo Tengo 2002 Malbec, Mendoza
Carlos Basso 2001 Dos Fincas (Cabernet/Malbec), Mendoza
Crios de Susana Balbo 2002 Syrah/Bonarda, Mendoza
Mapema 2003 Tempranillo, Mendoza

Argentina Too!!
Tikal 2003 Patriota (Bonarda, Malbec), Mendoza
O Fournier 2001 B Crux (Tempranillo, Merlot, Malbec), Valle de Uco

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

Next Friday tasting is The Wines of Australia!

M