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South American wines to enjoy

South American wine tasting April 2010.

If an alien came to earth thinking of making wine, he would choose a spot in South America.

Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc Central Valley, Chile 2009 alcohol 13%

Cono Sur is now one of the best known producers in chile , although only formed in 1993. Their Bycicle Range covers a wide range of young, easy to drink and expressive wines. The sauvignon Blanc is typical of many Chilean Sauvignons and generally different from those from New Zealand. Grapefruit, green apple and herbal notes together with gooseberry and lime. The wine has less pronounced gooseberry notes than a typical New Zealand Sauvignon which can sometimes and with some people be too expressive. The softer, more rounded notes may suggest suitability as an aperitif and a wine that would go well with simple chicken dishes, salads, as well as seafood. As with most Sauvignon Blanc, it is unoaked. There are many other good value Chilean Sauvignons to choose from. In general, Chile rather than Argentina appears to be the better source for Sauvignon Blanc.

Cono Sur Gewurztraminer Bio Bio Valley, Chile 2007 alcohol 13.5%

The tasting wine is from the far south of Chile in the Bio Bio Valley. Here the cooler climate and slower ripening season gives added intensity to the grapes. This wine is a further example of the great diversity of wines in Chile. A very aromatic wine with notes of lychees, rose petals, spice and Turkish Delight. It is unoaked. A little more residual sugar than the Sauvignon Blanc also gives it a richer feel. This wine goes well with oriental foods as well as fruit desserts.

Colom Torrontes Calchaqui Valley, Salta, Argentina 2007 alcohol 13.5%

Argentina is a major beef producing country and it is perhaps not surprising its best known wines are red. However, the country also produces intensely flavored white wines due, in part, to altitude the Andes. Argentina has the highest vineyards in the world, particularly those in the northern par of the country in Salta province. Vines grown at altitude benefit from the warm days and cool nights when the vines can rest, opposite to places with also warm nights. The higher levels of ultraviolet at altitude also help to produce greater flavor intensity. The absence of vine pests and diseases also contributes to healthy and often long lived vines. The tasting wine is made from the Torrontes grape which is now virtually unique to Argentina. It is made from vines between 50 and 120 years old old vines produce fewer grapes but ones with greater intensity of flavor growing at 6500 to 7500 feet above the sea level. This is only their second vintage of Torrontes. It has been widely acclaimed and a trophy winner with the Decanter magazine. Colom has the highest vineyards in the world. This is a biodynamic estate. The tasting wine is highly aromatic, with rich tropical fruit and floral notes balanced with good acidity. This wine would go well with richer foods, including Thai and Chinese dishes.

Cono Sur Pinot Noir Central Valley, Chile 2008 alcohol 13.5%

Cono Sur is the frist Chilean company to produce Pinot Noir 1999. It is particularly proud of its Pinot Noir project and continues to invest heavily. It now produces several Pinot Noir wines and the tasting wine is the lowest priced. The home of Pinot Noir is Burgundy, where the classified wines can command well over a thousand per bottle. Pinot Noir is a highly temperamental grape that likes a cooler climate but is easily upset if the temperature is too cold or too warm. Until recent years, growers around the world were reluctant to plant Pinot Noir because of its fickleness. However, countries like New Zealand are increasingly producing very attractive Pinot Noir at more reasonable prices than Burgundy. Companies like Cono Sur are adding Chile to the growing list of country producers. Few people would claim that Chilean Pinot Noir is of the same standard of elegance as Burgundy but it is considerable cheaper. The tasting wine has the typical characteristics of young Pinot Noir rich cherry, raspberry and strawberry notes. As Pinot Noir ages, the notes become more earthy or farmyard.

Montgras Reserva Carmenere Colchagua Valley, Chile 2008 alcohol 14.5%

The Carmenere grapes were originally imported from Bordeaux in the late nineteenth century. Nowadays, there is little Carmenere grown in Bordeaux. Carmenere has some similarity with Merlot and until 1993 it was assumed that the Carmenere grapes in Chile were Merlot. The DNA testing revealed the difference. Carmenere ripens later than Merlot and this imparts more concentration of flavors its profile is somewhat between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Chile now markets much of the previous Merlot more correctly as Carmenere. The tasting wine is made by Montgras, a winery that was founded in the early 1990s. It is made from grapes grown on a single estate. It is 90% Carmenere and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has an intense red color Carmenere is derived from the word crimson with dark fruit flavors, perhaps some chocolate and herb or spice notes. The soft tannins enable easy drinking. This wine goes well with a wide range of meat dishes, particularly lamb with pronounced herb flavor.

Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley, Chile 2008 alcohol 13.5%

Cabernet Sauvignon is a major grape in Bordeaux andi s now planted in many parts of the world. It prefers a warmer climate and seems to do particularly well in Chile. In warmer climates the tannins soften on the vine making the wine much more approachable even when young. The tasting wine is one of the best value Cabernet Sauvignons. More full bodied and darker notes than Carmenere. It may have a small amount of Merlot or Carmenere. This wine goes well with beef and barbecues.

Bodegas Esmeralda Estiba 1 Bonarda Mendoza, Argentina 2008 alcohol 13.5%

The increased popularity of Malbec and other, more international red grape varieties can obscure that until very recently, the most planted red grape in Argentina was Bonarda. Bonarda remains popular and widely available in Argentina but, sadly, it is now difficult to find in major stores outside the country. The grape was probably imported from northern Italy around 80 years ago. It has a long ripening season and appears to flourish in the mountainous conditions around Mendoza. Often lighter than Malbec, it can sometimes be mistaken for lighter wines such as Beaujolais or Pinot Noir. The tasting wine is 100% Bonarda. It is produced by the Catena company who also in a venture with Bibendum produces the good value Argento range which also includes a 100% Bonarda wine. Find notes of fresh strawberries and light floral notes in this wine, with a soft, rounded finish. The wine goes well with lighter meats such as cold ham and delicatessen.

Finca Flinchman Gestos Malbec Mendoza, Argentina 2008 alcohol 14%

The Malbec grape originated in Bordeaux where it is called Cot. Although Malbes is grown in small quantities around the world, its new home is Argentina, where it is now the countrys most planted variety. Malbec thrives at altitude and takes on more complexity and dark fruit flavors than elsewhere in the world. The tasting wine is made by Flinchman from grapes grown in two areas near Mendoza. The label indicates the altitude of each area and the qualities associated with them. The higher altitude area of about 3200 feet gives freshness, structure and complexity. The other 50% of the grapes come from vines at 2100 feet and give color, density and volume. This wine goes well with barbecues. Other reasonably priced Malbec include Argento and Alamos. Higher priced Malbec dominated blends include Clos de Los Siete and Colom Estate.

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If an alien came to earth thinking of making wine, he would choose a spot in South America.