I
have been asked by numerous times “How was Argentina?” My
answer is simple: “I tasted 42 wineries, ate gourmet meals both lunch and
dinner every day and stayed in five star hotels. In others words, it was a
very
tough press assignment but I was up to the task!” :)
5.
The 2013 Greenwich Wine & FoodShow has always been a
delightful day in the “country” for me. This is a tented event on
beautiful Long Island sound. The wine offerings were plentiful, but were
limited
to everyday wines. They were most definitely outclassed by the quality
food
tidbits from many excellent area restaurants. For foodies they feature
many
celebrity chefs, cooking demonstrations and gourmet tastings. I attended
both
wine tastings: Great biodynamic wines from Spain and Laurie
Forster’s
standup comedy show Something to Wine About. I enjoyed the
“good
taste” of both. Again I was disappointed that no seminars on food
and
wine matching were offered. Beyond that minor point, this is a MOST
highly
recommended event. See you there next year!
The
2013
Food Network NYC Wine & FoodFestival is far
from leisurely. The
biggest such event in NY, I went with a first timer who was giddily
overwhelmed
with the numerous food and wine choices. We both left stuffed and
satiated. My
advice is that this is always an event for which you should skip
breakfast beforehand. Their motto is everywhere: “Eat. Drink.End
Hunger.” At one point in the afternoon I mused at how this
charity
event might accomplish more if the hungry were also allowed to
attend.
Like going to Time Square on New Year’s Eve, this is an experience
everyone interested in food and wine should have at least once. Many
no
doubt will want to become regular event attendees.
Note:
The
NYFWF Lamoreaux Landing (LL) wines were Irene’s favorite. The Dry Riesling
was a perfect balance of fruit and minerality. While it may not have the
complex bouquet of the German Rieslings, considering its retail price at
$13.99, she felt it was definitely worth drinking the next time you order
Chinese takeout. LL Unoaked Chardonnay would also pair well with a
wide
variety of dishes and clearly displays similar terroir characteristics as
the
LL Riesling in its mineral notes. Here Citrus and apple notes and a
slightly
floral bouquet are quite simple, yet entice to have more than one glass.
7. At the Greenwich Wine & Food Festival, I discovered one
interesting distributor 90 plus cellars. I tasted a range of
their
wines, but my clear favorite (and not surprisingly one of their two best
sellers) was LOT 23 Malbec 2012 $11.95. Lot 23 grapes from
Lujan de
Cuyo Mendoza are hand harvested from 100 year-old vines. Note: I
usually tend to favor
“AARP” vines (age 50 and over).
At our recent investment luncheon, we were served Colomé
Torrontés, Argentina’s signature white wine, plus their Malbec. Torrontes
from
Salta which has unmistakable floral aromas. More than bragging
rights of
being the highest vineyards in the world, their High-altitude vineyards delivers
delicious
taste benefits (thanks to thicker skins and Longer hang time).
Note:
The
Torrontés was so popular that this was the first time we ran out of white
wine!
I am in the process of retasting a number of wineries tasted in
Argentina. Why? Because while many wines are delicious in their
homeland
(in part due to the romantic winery setting), I am interested in writing
about
wines that I would DRINK and BUY in New York. Recently I had
the
pleasure of attending Ruca Malen (RM) wines’ A MATCH MADE IN MENDOZA
at
the Malbec Wine Bar & Tango House. This tasting paired their Uco
Valley
wines from winemaker Pablo Cuneo, distinctive in part due to his using
classical French vinification techniques with imaginative dishes from RM
chef
Lucas Bustos. Yummy and on my to-do lunch list for my next trip to
Argentina. Notes: The
Tango show was very
entertaining and highly recommended.
I found the
RM Torrontés
lacking the strong signature aromas I am accustomed to. I am a
traditionalist; however, should one require this “typlicity” association?
I
polled a number of female attendees with a first exposure to Torrontés who
enjoyed this wine plus it sells very well in Asia.
I had the pleasure of dining at Aquavit this past week for an
investment luncheon hosted by Marine Harvest - a Norwegian seafood company
producing farmed salmon products worldwide. I have been drinking
Malbec
so often these days that Irene, aka my personal sommelier, was surprised
that I
ordered Pinot Noir. Given I was eating their delicious Scottish
Salmon,
naturally I ordered Pinot Noir- wouldn’t you?
Note: We believe Marine Harvest [MNHVF] is an excellent long term
conservative investment.
I wonder how
long my
Argentine phase will last. I believe this depends on both the progress of
my
tango lessons as well as whether I visit Argentina in 2014 or 2015/2016
next.
Either way, Malbec has become my second favorite wine (Pinot Noir remains
number one).
8.
Which wine
matches best to steak? A) Cabernet Sauvignon B) Malbec
C) Tempranillo
True/False? Patagonia
Argentina has the
same latitude as Marlborough New Zealand.
The best wine to drink
with Tango is ______
?
9. READER: Does Malbec go well with Pizza? HW: Previously my automatic first response was Chianti with a red
tomato sauce. However, Argentina was highly influenced by Italian
immigrants with Pizza everywhere. So the answer is YES.
Remember
there are three questions one must ask: 1)what sauce 2) toppings as well
as 3)
what cheese? If for example, a meat topping, then Malbec would be a
better choice!
READER: I really enjoyed this edition of your wine notes. My
all-time favorite Argentine wine is a Malbec/Cabernet blend called
"Caro". It's a collaboration between Baron Lafite Rothchild and
Robert Catena…hence the name "Ca-Ro". It's expensive
($58 at Sherry-Lehman) but for a special occasion, it's worth every penny.
A less-expensive, but still wonderful alternative is a
Malbec/Cabernet
blend called "Amancaya". It's about $16 and gets the job
done!!! HW: Both good choices!
READER: Did you have good trip? HW: A GREAT trip. I tasted 42 wineries, gourmet meals lunch
and dinner and stayed in five star hotels. On top of that the people were friendly and the country
beautiful. Bottom line? You betcha!
READER: Good review, good wines. When I was very much into tango I
don't remember any of the dancers drinking much of anything other than
some
sparkling sodas or water. And as said, tango is not for watching but for
dancing. When I listen to it, I am thinking of the moves with one of my
favorite partners. HW: Everyone I know has excellent memories of Argentina; I am now
even a bigger fan than before!