THE SPIRIT OF VENDIMIA

Truly Exceptional Argentine Wines
THE SPIRIT OF VENDIMIA
Final scene at the main show
Here at The Vines we are nearing the fever pitch of Vendimia, the harvest
season in Mendoza, which occurs the first week in March and abounds with
merriment and wine. When the famous Fiesta de la Vendimia is in full swing
it includes regional foods and evenings of music and folkloric dancing.
This elaborate celebration starts with the benediction of the fruit and is
followed by our personal favorite event, the Via Blanca de las Reinas, a
parade of allegorical floats featuring the reinas, or queens, from Mendoza
province’s 18 different departments. These smiling queens wind their
way through the center of Mendoza, gleefully throwing to the crowd
assorted fruits and vegetables representative of their department. Be
sure to watch out for the wayward flying produce, as well as for the bottles
of wine they give out along the route.
The queen of Tunuyán, the department where our Private Vineyard Estates
reside, is obviously a favorite for us at The Vines. For the reining 2007
The queen of Tunuyán, Valle de Uco
queen, Nataly Marchiori, it was her dream to be queen since she was very
little growing up on a campo, or farm. Currently a student of veterinary
sciences in Mendoza, she is also a full time paid reina, fulfilling her
important cultural role as a representative of the spirit and struggle of
the farm worker and the department of Tunuyán.
The reinas, along with gauchos on horseback, horse-drawn carts and
street bands known as murgas, also participate in a more traditional
parade, Carrusel Vendimial, which features Mendoza's colonial days. The
Vendimia celebration ends with the much anticipated, sold out
amphitheater extravaganza, during which the National Vendimia Queen
is chosen from the participating queens. It features over 100 performers
and dancers and concludes with a spectacular firework display.
We encourage you to come visit during this colorful and exciting
celebration, which is the pride and joy of all Mendocinos.
PRIVATE VINEYARD ESTATES UPDATE
Saludos from sunny and warm Mendoza where we are quickly approaching the 2008 harvest. We finished planting the first group of Private Vineyard
Estates in early December and are now looking forward to the 2010 harvest when we will be picking grapes and making the first wines from these
vineyards with Santiago Achával.
It has been stunning to witness the development over the past six months.
In particular it’s enthralling to watch the sun rise over the valley perfectly
capturing the magnificence of the mountains, vines and sense of magic
you experience from being in the heart of Mendoza’s Valle de Uco.
We have been very fortunate to receive some terrific press coverage
recently. An article about us appears in issue #18 of The World of Fine
Wine, one of the world’s most highly-respected wine magazines, the
January 20th issue of the Observer and the January 21st issue of Fortune
magazine. Please visit our website to view these articles and others and
to see our new Private Vineyard Estates webpage with additional photos
and information. www.vinesofmendoza.com.
If you would like more information about our Private Vineyard Estate
project, please contact us at: [email protected] or
707-320-2699. Hope to see you in Mendoza soon!
Sunrise at the Private Vineyard Estates
February 2008
LORCA POÉTICO VIOGNIER 2007
REGION: Tunuyán, Valle de Uco, Mendoza
VARIETAL COMPOSITION: 100% Viognier
WINEMAKING: This wine is made in small quantities by our
profiled winemaker, Mauricio Lorca. He takes meticulous
care in the vineyard, with each vine only producing one
bottle of this special wine. Fermented 40% in barrels and
60% in stainless steel, it expresses both a steely crispness
and the soft touch of oak.
TASTING NOTES: The golden color is so clear that it shines,
and the densely lush aromas of fresh melon and white
peach make you feel that you are traipsing through a
tropical flower garden. Creamy, lush and mouth-coating,
it is vibrantly refreshing, with a touch of sweetness and
a zesty acidity. An exemplary Viogner from Argentina.
FOOD PAIRING: Truly a 'wine for many seasons;' its flawless
balance and medium weight make it an ideal pre-dinner
cocktail wine, yet its fascinating depth of flavor allows
for complex food pairings (see featured recipe pairing)
DRINKING GUIDE: Enjoy now
PULENTA ESTATE CABERNET FRANC 2005
REGION: Alto Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
VARIETAL COMPOSITION: 100% Cabernet Franc
WINEMAKING: Pulenta Estate is owned and operated by
Eduardo and Hugo Pulenta, members of one of Argentina's
greatest winemaking families. Malolactic fermentation
and aging for 12 months in new French oak barrels impart
a great flavor profile and add to the perfect balance of
this wine. The extraordinary concentration is a result of
very low yields that are achieved in the vineyard.
TASTING NOTES: This wine is a perfect portrayal of the
Cabernet Franc grape and one of the best that Mendoza
has to offer. With a burgundy color so dark it almost
appears black, and the strong aromas of bell pepper that
make the varietal so distinct, this wine, once it hits the
palate, is liquid velvet. Full bodied, perfectly balanced,
and never-ending, this vino could define the word “smooth.”
FOOD PAIRING: This is the perfect asado wine (pair with
grilled meats of your preference)
DRINKING GUIDE: This wine will drink like a gem for the
coming 5 years
CONALBI GRINBERG GRAND RESERVE MALBEC 2003
REGION: Mayor Drummond, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
VARIETAL COMPOSITION: 100% Malbec
WINEMAKING: This limited edition wine, only 4,000 bottles
produced, was created by fourth generation winemaker
Abel Furlan. The flagship wine of this ultra boutique winery,
which is making a splash locally, exudes sophistication
and crisp structure. Pablo Conalbi and Sergio Grinberg
established their winery in 1997 utilizing traditional
methods with the highest quality barrels and grapes to
create small production wines of excellence.
TASTING NOTES: Classic and elegant, this wine is reminiscent
of Old World tradition. A rich dark wine, the nose displays
intricate aromas of toasted oak with black cherry-cassis
fruit and caramel. Very clean with a fresh expression of
bright cherry fruit and sweet caramel oak which shows a
balance perfect for aging. Dense, and polished, it is rich
yet smooth with a long silky finish.
FOOD PAIRING: Eggplant stuffed with lamb
DRINKING GUIDE: Drink now through 2013
CINCO TIERRAS RESERVA MALBEC 2004
REGION: Luján de Cuyo/ Valle de Uco, Mendoza
VARIETAL COMPOSITION: 100% Malbec
WINEMAKING: Cinco Tierras is part the Banfi family of
wineries which produces some of the most highly
recognized wines made in Tuscany as well as Argentina.
Each grape cluster for this reserva Malbec is hand chosen
before it is pressed, fermented in casks with its natural
yeasts and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, 1⁄2
first use and 1⁄2 second use. 16,000 bottles made.
TASTING NOTES: This wine is a brilliant ruby red in color,
with hints of violet that are also expressed in the bouquet.
The palate suggests both cocoa and vanilla from the time
spent in French oak, along with earth and the mature dark
fruit characters of blackberries, blueberries and plums.
The full body and creamy mouthfeel are accompanied by
a strong attack and powerful finish; full of spice.
FOOD PAIRING: Mushroom risotto, or anything with truffle oil
DRINKING GUIDE: Drink until 2012
February 2008
MONTEAGRELO MALBEC 2005
REGION: Luján de Cuyo /Maipú/Valle de Uco, Mendoza
VARIETAL COMPOSITION: 100% Malbec
WINEMAKING: The first 100% Malbec produced by award
winning winemaker, Walter Bressia, is made in his small
family winery, with true Mendocino style. Formerly
concentrating on creating blends of different varietals,
he utilizes grapes from three different regions to create
a blend of Malbec. Intended to fully express the fruits
character, the flavors are rounded out and deepened by
aging for 18 months in French and American oak. The
Monteagrelo represents all the flavors that we have come
to love and expect from Argentine Malbec and is a
newfound favorite.
TASTING NOTES: This is a rich, showstopping Malbec
masterpiece with intense fruit and spice and an opaque
violet color. One sniff of the heavenly collection of baking
spices, coffee, and cherry pie in the bouquet is all it will
take for you to fall head over heels. On the tongue, it
bursts with mature fruit and elegantly structured, wellintegrated tannins.
FOOD PAIRING: Ideal as a companion to rich creamy sauces,
or the local classic bife de chorizo (sirloin steak). Serve
with a bleu cheese or butter sauce
DRINKING GUIDE: This is a powerful wine that can be
consumed over the next 5 years
TASTING TIPS
Tasting wine should be a simple and fun exercise – don’t be intimidated by ‘wine terms.’ There’s no test, you are doing this to learn about a
wine, enjoy it, and get to know your own palate. Here are some tips we recommend when tasting.
1. Look closely at the color – using a clean, clear wine glass pour one ounce
(approximately one inch) and hold the wine under a light, or preferably in front
of a white background. The different shades of color and opacity are all part of the
overall sensory experience.
2. Practice swirling the wine in the glass on a flat surface. This really opens up the
aromas. Once you have mastered this technique, smell the wine both before and
after swirling.
3. To really absorb the bouquet, stick your nose all the way in the glass and breathe
in deeply. Ask yourself these simple questions - Does the wine have expressive
aromas? What do they remind you of? Do they appeal to you?
4. When tasting the wine, remember that each part of your tongue registers different
flavors. A well-balanced wine is one that you’ll enjoy from the ‘attack’ all the way
to the ‘finish.’ The pieces should fit together well. Take the time to register the
flavors and what they remind you of.
5. Don’t just taste a wine when it’s in your mouth – note the weight, the viscosity,
and if your mouth waters or dries out. This is where your sense of touch comes
into play.
6. When you find a wine that really grabs your attention, think about a food pairing.
Don’t analyze too much, just think what sort of food craving the aromas and
flavors conjure.
7. Take notes – in your own words. Write down if you love a wine or if you hate it and
transcribe all that you can from the label. Every piece of information can be useful
in tracking down similar wines. Or avoiding them.
8. Enjoy yourself! Wine is fun and meant to be
shared, so make a game of it, have a dinner party
and explore all the nuances. You can never stop
learning.
Salud!
February 2008
EMILIO'S SAVORY CHERRY TOMATO TART
MAKES 4 SERVINGS
This recipe was created especially for the Acequia Reserva Wine Club by chef Emilio Cadini to accompany the rich and luscious Lorca Poético
Viognier, one of the highlights of this month's Reserva Wine Club wines. Emilio is the chef at La Sal, one of the hippest restaurants in Mendoza
and a favorite of The Vines' staff.
Jose Bahamonde, owner of La Sal, is a good friend of Mauricio Lorca and also the talented designer behind the eye-catching Lorca Poetico
Label. Together, he, Emilio and Mauricio present a pairing that impresses both your palate and your sense of style.
INGREDIENTS
Dough: Your favorite puff pastry dough
. 1⁄4 lb (115 gr) Dates diced
. 1⁄2 cup (10 cl) Crème Fraîche
. Salt to taste
. Black pepper to taste
. Olive oil to taste
Filling:
. 3⁄4 lb (340 gr) Cherry Tomatoes diced
. 1⁄4 lb (115 gr) Walnuts finely chopped
. 7 ounces (200 gr) Soft Blue Cheese crumbled
STEPS
Preheat oven to 450 ºF (232 ºC). Butter and line a 9-inch tart pan
with the puff pastry dough. Place tomatoes, dates, walnuts and
crumbled blue cheese in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Add salt and
black pepper to taste.
Decrease oven temperature to 425 ºF (218ºC). Evenly distribute
tomato mixture over the top of dough and lightly drizzle crème fraîche
over the top. Bake until crust is golden and crème fraîche has
integrated, approximately 30-35 minutes. Remove tart from the oven,
drizzle olive oil on top and let stand at room temperature until serving.
Cut into four equal-size pieces.
Serve at room temperature accompanied by chopped apples dusted
with cinnamon and a soft bleu cheese spread.
WINEMAKER PROFILE: MAURICIO LORCA
Mauricio Lorca is a passionate young winemaker and a true Mendocino, born in the
city of Rivadavia, a department of eastern Mendoza. At only 36 years of age, his
credentials are impressive, and he has already garnered 16 years of winemaking
experience.
During his last year studying chemistry in college, fate and a spontaneous decision
would change his life. About to enter medical school, a presentation by students
from the Don Bosco College of Oenology prompted him to change his direction and
enter the world of wine.
Now, years later, Mauricio is the winemaker for both the Enrique Foster winery in
Luján de Cuyo and his own small, eponymous bodega in the Valle de Uco, which he
founded in 1999. His strong winemaking philosophy is expressed in every wine that
he makes as he considers each bottle that he creates to be his baby, regardless of
the name on the label.
Bodega Lorca is located in Tunuyán, close to our Private Vineyard Estates. He believes,
as we do, that the region is one of the best places on earth for wine-growing, with
deep pure soils and hot days and cool nights that allow for optimal grape ripeness.
He has chosen to grow not only the Malbec grape that he works with at Enrique Foster, but also Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and
Chardonnay. His distinctive Cabernet is being offered with this month's Acequia Wine Club, and the lush Viognier is one of our Reserva
selections. When you taste them you will begin to understand something about Mauricio and his love for the land that he cultivates.
EXCLUSIVELY FOR ACEQUIA AND ACEQUIA RESERVA WINE CLUB MEMBERS
We would like to invite you to share Mauricio Lorca’s wines with friends, family or just restock for yourself with a 20% discount on all Lorca
wines in our online wine shop.
Take advantage of this exclusive club benefit through April 15th, 2008 by logging on with your username and password at www.vinesofmendoza.com
and use the promotion code, Lorca08 when checking out.
For any questions or requests please email [email protected]