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ArgentinaApril 2009

Wine Supplement

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Argentina

April 2009 | restaurant | 3

A case for the on-trade Considering its position as the fifth-largest wine producing country

in the world, along with the huge improvements that have been

made to the quality of its wine, Argentina is still remarkably under-

represented on restaurant wine lists in the UK. Its scarcity in the

on-trade (many restaurants simply don’t bother with it at all) seems

even more surprising given the amazing value many of Argentina’s

wines represent. With the current strength of the euro and the

resulting increase in the prices of Old World wines, Argentina’s value-

for-money looks better than ever. In short, there has never been a

better time to look to the New World and, with its range of climates

and vast tracts of vineyards, Argentina’s diversity carries enormous

appeal. You’ll find excellent examples of all the major varietals, but in

Malbec, Torrontés and Bonarda, Argentina has three grapes it has

really made its own, enabling you to offer wines on your list with a

real point of difference. Whether you’re new to Argentine wine or

already a convert, whether you’re looking for good quality entry-level

wines or excellent value at the top-end, you’ll find much to excite you

in this guide: from reports of up-and-coming sub-regions to details of

Argentina’s best wines. Enjoy!

Paul WoottonEditor, Restaurant

Inside3 Introduction4 Scaling new heights Tim Atkin on judging the third Argentina Wine Awards

10 Tour of the regions A breakdown of the key areas, from Mendoza to Neuquén

12 Carnivorous cravings Malbec’s tannins and acidity makes it a perfect match with red meat

15 Dynamic duo Don’t limit your list to Malbec, take a look at these two stunners

17 Trophy winners A detailed look at the producers behind the victorious wines

24 On the map Argentina is a land of diversity, with over 100 different varieties

26 Gold medalists The best of Argentina

29 Silver medalists 203 top drawer wines

EditorialEditor Paul WoottonArt Director Gary SimonsFeatures Editor Stefan ChomkaReporter Joe Lutrario

Sales Manager Kathrin [email protected]

ContributorsTim Atkin, Sarah Jane Evans, James Forbes,Rebecca Gibb, Peter McCombie, Charles Metcalfe, David Williams

Restaurant MagazineWilliam Reed Business MediaBroadfield park, CrawleyWest Sussex, RH11 9RT

www.bighospitality.co.uk

Printed by St.Ives Web Ltd, Andover

© William Reed Business Media Ltd 2009. All rights reserved

4 | restaurant | April 2009

Scaling new heights The third annual Argentina Wine Awards reflected huge improvements in the quality of the country’s wines, showing off some absolute gems

You don’t need an excuse to go to Mendoza in February, especially when you’ve shivered and grumbled your way through a British winter. There’s something rather liberating about jumping on a plane in London and arriving, 20 hours later, at the foot of the Andes in face-caressing sunshine. I’ve been to Argentina 10 times and the place always lifts my spirits.

Even in the midst of the dire economic crisis of 2002, a downturn which puts even our current financial travails in perspective, the Argentines continued to dance, drink Fernet and eat steaks as thick as phone books.

My most recent visit had a specific purpose and, despite what you might think, it wasn’t topping up my tan. I was invited as one of a dozen overseas experts to judge the 2009 Argentina Wine Awards in Mendoza. I managed to fit in a few visits

around the judging – a trip to Cafayate to see the world’s highest vineyard at Colomé was especially memorable – but the awards were the focus of my journey.

This was the third edition, but it broke ranks with its two predecessors by using judges from Argentina’s four largest export markets (the United States, Canada, Brazil and the UK), as opposed to leaving the decisions to one country. The first awards were judged by Brits, the second by Americans, but all three events have made use of Argentine winemakers, viticulturists and sommeliers to complement the overseas panels. Personally, I learnt a lot from Daniel Pi, the chief winemaker at Trapiche, who has a profound knowledge of his country’s wine regions.

I have to confess that I was a little apprehensive about the United Nations approach to the awards, partly because I

think Brits generally prefer different styles of wine from those favoured by, say, Americans. I had no idea what sort of reds and whites would wow the Brazilian and Canadian judges, partly because I’ve never visited either country on a wine trip. My fear was that the biggest, oakiest, most alcoholic wines (the very styles that don’t complement food) would triumph.

The judging system, too, sounded like the sort of thing used by the European Union to achieve compromise. The Eurocrats have Qualified Majority Voting; the Wines of Argentina Awards has something devised by the indefatigable, super-organised Jane Hunt MW of Hunt & Coady. The same wines are tasted by two different panels, with no conferring allowed. If there is a discrepancy of more than two and a half points (we were marking out of 20), then the wine is tasted again by three panels.

If the distance between the original two teams is smaller than that, then the higher of the two marks is awarded to the wine in

Words Tim Atkin

There’s something rather liberating about jumping on a plane in London and arriving at the foot of the Andes

Argentina


The awards brought in judges from Argentina’s four largest export markets

Diversity of styles

question. Got that?With three days to judge the wines, and

six panels to assess them, we had plenty of time to make our notes and deliberations and, where necessary, to discuss differences of opinion. These were surprisingly rare on panel two, despite our backgrounds. We compromised on a few wines, trading the odd horse when it came to styles of Malbec and red blends, but we were generally pretty close in our scores.

As a panel, we tasted 163 wines on the Monday and Tuesday and a smaller number of potential trophies and controversial (that’s to say where two panels didn’t agree) entries on the Wednesday. I think we were fair in our judging, awarding 18 golds (four of which went on to win trophies), 65 silvers and 58 bronzes; 22 wines received no medal,

which was a commendably low percentage of the total.

Quality Sauvignons

We began with a line up of sparkling wines, which many people regard as the shortest of all possible Argentine straws. The four wines, all of which were made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or a combination of the two, were decent enough, but I don’t think anyone has really cracked top end sparkling wine production just yet. We gave one silver to the Bodega Septima fizz, made by Cava giant Codorníu but that was it. The high Uco Valley shows promise, but for now wineries are making better still than sparkling wines from their Pinot and Chardonnay plantings.

Next up was a small flight of Sauvignon Blancs, which was far more exciting. The

top wine was the attractively-priced 2008 Doña Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc, a white that could give Chile a run for its pesos. I was generally impressed by the quality of the Sauvignons. It might not be Argentina’s strongest suit, but in a land where fresh whites are in short supply, a welcome one nevertheless. We continued our run of white wines with two rare animals, a Riesling and a Semillon - Chardonnay, both of which struck silver. With hindsight, I wish we’d given the 2007 Luigi Bosca Reserva Riesling a gold, because it’s an unmistakeable expression of the variety.

Argentina’s two best white grapes – and the varieties into which it puts most effort – are Chardonnay and Torrontés. Guess which one we gave three gold medals to? No, wrong. It was Torrontés, often regarded as a one-glass wine that is too aromatic for its own good.

What was particularly pleasing about the wines we tasted was a welcome degree of stylistic diversity, with more emphasis on freshness and acidity rather than power. Our top three wines were all 2008s from Salta, made by Finca El Origen, Luigi Bosca and Dominio del Plata wineries.

The Chardonnays were more disappointing, partly because several of them were made in rather old fashioned, oak-dominated styles. There are a couple of outstanding Chardonnay producers in Argentina – Catena Zapata and, judging by the trophy-winning 2007 Finca La Palmas,

One of the great things about judging a wine competition in Argentina is the diversity of wine styles on offer. The 512 entries covered no fewer than 20 different categories: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Torrontés, Viognier, Pinot Gris, white blends, other white varietals, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Merlot, red blends, other red varietals, rosé, sparkling wines, dessert wines and fortified wines. As you’d expect, the reds dominated the entries with 392 wines, comple-mented by 87 whites, 8 rosés, 11 fizzes and 11

sweet and/or fortifieds.The entries this year were more numerous

than in 2007 (446) and 2008 (480), indicating that Argentine wineries are increasingly happy to participate. Nearly all of the most famous names submitted, although some didn’t put in their very top wines.

In future, maybe Wines of Argentina should conduct a sort of “no-show show”, purchasing the country’s icon wines and pitching them against the winners of the official competition. I suspect the whole thing might be far too political.

The Awards


Trapiche – but the country as a whole is no match for other countries.

I was more impressed by the pink wines, most of them deeply coloured, dry and made from Malbec. My two favourites were the 2008 Melipal and the 2008 Bodegas Atamisque, both of which won silvers. Given the popularity of rosés in the UK, and the abundant fruit of most Argentine examples, I’d like to see more of them. One possible disadvantage is that this will further concentrate some of the red, which is not something that most of them need, especially at the top end.

World class reds

Cabernet Sauvignon is sometimes regarded as an after thought in Argentina – a variety that is far less exciting than Malbec – but I was impressed by what I tasted, particularly over £20. Two wines stood out: the 2005 Trapiche Medalla and the trophy-winning 2006 Viña Cobos Bramare, Marchiori Vineyard, but the overall quality was good. Cabernet also played a leading or supporting role in three of our overall gold medal-winning red blends: 2006 Dedicado (85%), 2005 Pulenta Estate Gran Corte (34%) and 2006 Norton Privada (30%). Whether blended or unblended, Cabernet continues to demonstrate its quality in Argentina.

Before I move on to a discussion of the main act (Malbec, in case you were wondering), I’d like to say a little more about the blends, which were some of the highlights of the tasting. I mostly assessed

What was particularly pleasing about the wines we tasted was a welcome degree of stylistic diversity

ArgentinaThe Awards

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wines above US$20 – not exactly Argentina’s commercial focus in the UK – but I still think that they represent good value for money. What’s more, they are made from an intriguing mix of grapes. We gave golds to three Malbec-based blends (combined with 40% Tannat, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, respectively): the 2006 La Celia Elite Malbec/Tannat, the 2006 Bodega François Lurton Alcayata and the 2006 Eral Bravo “YBS”. Other varieties that popped up in top blends included Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Tempranillo.

Like the other panels at the AWA, we tasted a lot of Malbecs. We sampled two flights of “cheaper wines” (under $20), two between $20 and $50, and one over $50. My conclusion was that Malbec remains Argentina’s most exciting red grape at every price point. Like Shiraz/Syrah, a variety which also showed well in the awards, it has the personality and adaptability to perform well at different levels of intensity and ambition. There were no golds among our less expensive wines, but a very high percentage of silvers, which is great news for consumers and restaurant goers alike.

Further up the price ladder, we gave

golds to four wines: the 2007 Fabre Montmayou Malbec Gran Reserva, the 2006 Laborum Malbec Bodega, Porvenir de los Andes, the 2006 Carelli Malbec and the trophy-winning 2006 Bodega Krontiras Doña Silvina Reserva, to which I gave my highest mark of the week. Some of the more ambitious wines are marred by too much oak and alcohol, but my overall impression is that Argentina is getting better at expressing what makes Malbec so special: its fruit. The best of these wines are world class reds. The sad thing is that the UK market is generally unwilling to pay the price that the same wines fetch in the US.

The trophies

Our panel tasting done, we sat down to assess what we and the others had chosen as gold medals. We had to choose, blind, between 42 different wines, some of which were up against each other, and some of which were unopposed in their categories.

We gave trophies to the following 14 styles: Sauvignon Blanc under $10 (2008 Los Cardos), White Blend $10-20 (2008 Santa Ana Chardonnay/Viognier), White Blend $20-50 (2008 Gran Lurton Corte Friulano), Dessert Wine $10-20 (2007

Etchart Torrontés Late Harvest), Torrontés $10-20 (2008 Etchart Ayres de Cafayate), Chardonnay $20-50 (2007 Trapiche La Palmas), Bonarda $20-50 (2007 Nieto Senetiner Limited Edition), Syrah Under $10 (2007 Antigua Bodega), Cabernet Sauvignon $20-50 (2006 Viña Cobos Bramare), Malbec $20-50 (2006 Trapiche Single Vineyard Viña Federico Villafañe), Red Blend $20-50 (2004 Andeluna Grand Reserve Pasionado), Red Blend Over $50 (2006 Finca Decero Amano) and Malbec Over $50 (2006 Bodega Krontiras Doña Silvina Reserva).

As a group, we were more generous than our predecessors. Of the 512 wines entered, 14 won trophies, 28 golds, 203 silvers and 183 bronzes. In 2008, there were 4 trophies, 32 golds, 122 silvers and 180 bronzes from 480 entries, while in 2007 there were 9 trophies, 15 golds, 145 silvers and 199 bronzes from 446 entries. I think this reflects the growing quality of Argentina’s wines, rather than indulgence or muddle-headedness on our part, but that’s only my opinion. Not before time, South America’s largest wine producing nation is finally making an impact on the world stage.

All smiles: winners are presented with their awards

ArgentinaThe Awards

The judges

The six judging teams were each made up of three judges. Four teams contained two people from the same country (partly to see if there was such a thing as national bias), while the other two were mixed bags. I was on one of the latter with sommelier Andrea Robinson from the United States and Daniel Pi from Trapiche. The other judges were Jorge Carrara, Mario Telles and Jorge Lucki from Brazil, Leslie Sbrocco and Lyn Farmer from the USA, Anthony Gismondi, Jacques Orhon and Stuart Tobe from Canada and Sarah Jane Evans MW and Charles Metcalfe from the UK. The five other Argentine judges were Roberto de la Motta from Mendel, Andrea Marchiori from Viña Cobos, Pedro Marchevsky from Dominio del Plata, Marcello Pelleriti from Clos de los Siete and Edgardo del Popolo from Doña Paula.

My overall impression is that Argentina is getting better at expressing what makes Malbec so special: its fruit

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Argentina

A tour of the regions The vineyards of the fifth biggest wine producing nation stretch from Salta in the north at 22˚ to Patagonia in the south at 42˚, and many of them are planted at a remarkably high altitude. The result is a huge diversity of wines

Mendoza

No matter how you look at it, Mendoza is big news for Argentina. Some 156,000ha under vine makes it the biggest quality wine producing region in the world. Over 100 different grape varieties, planted across 30+ different sub-regions, at altitudes of anything up to a mile above sea level, means it’s big on diversity too. Producing almost 80% of Argentina’s wine, it’s also the biggest player in the global export market. Malbec is its star varietal and it spearheads the substantial export growth that Argentina is seeing around the world including the UK. Area Under Vine: 156,000ha

Key Varieties: Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo

Number of Wineries: 697

Altitude Range: 650m-1,600m

Key Areas: Maipú, Lujan de Cuyo, Uco Valley,

Rio Mendoza South, Northern Zone, Eastern

Zone, and San Raphael

San Juan

Three transverse valleys, Pedernal, Tulum and the Zonda make up this other worldly, lunar landscape wine region. It’s the second largest wine producing region in Argentina and home to some of the UK’s biggest selling Argentine wines. It’s hot and dry here, think Barossa Valley but with less rain, and so it’s no surprise that varieties like Shiraz and Viognier perform beautifully. It’s also home to the world’s largest Aglianico vineyard. Now that’s something not a lot of people know!Area Under Vine: 48,627ha

Key Varieties: Syrah, Bonarda, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Torrontés and Malbec


Altitude Range: 650m-1,300m

Key Areas: Pedernal, Tulum and Zonda Valleys

Salta

Tucked into Argentina’s far North West at nose-bleedingly high altitudes, Salta is one of the most remote and beautiful wine regions in the world. All of Salta’s vineyards are firm members of the “mile high club”. It’s also the spiritual home of Torrontés where the grape performs at its most exotic, fresh and intense. Many other varieties – mainstream such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc – and less well known such as

“Elephant Leg” Tannat. Expect plenty of blue flavoured, highly aromatic wines that are amongst the most distinct and alluring in the world.Area Under Vine: 3,200ha

Key Varieties: Torrontés, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Malbec, Tannat and Merlot


Altitude Range: 1,700m-3,000m

Key Areas: Cafayate, San Carlos, Cachi,

Angastaco, Molinos and Colomé

La Rioja

La Rioja plays an important part in the UK (and global) wine mix. It is home to the largest Fairtrade winery in South America and the largest Fairtrade Organic winery in the world but all its wineries excel at making commercially astute, consumer friendly wines of excellent quality and value for money.Area Under Vine: 8,372ha


Sauvignon, Syrah, Bonarda and Malbec



Key Areas: Chiliceto, Nonogasta, Felipe

Varela and Villa Castelli

Catamarca

If viticulture and viniculture ever become extreme sports then Catamarca will be the home of the champion players! If a moonscape, baking desert in the middle of nowhere does not strike you as the ideal location for quality grape growing then think again. The treble combination of high altitude, huge diurnal temperature differences and snow-melt water from the Andes work a magic that allows winemakers to make fresh, racy and minerally wines. Area Under Vine: 2,447ha


Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec and Bonarda



Key Areas: Tinogasta and Belén

Rio Negro

By some way the oldest of Northern Patagonia’s two wine regions with a 100 year history of production. It is one of the world’s true cool climate regions but what makes it distinct from others is the wealth of old vine fruit. Its Malbec, Pinot Noir and Merlot are deep, pure and profound.Area Under Vine: 2881ha

Key Varieties: Merlot, Malbec, Torrontés,

Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon


Altitude Range: 200m-300m

Key Areas: General Roca

Neuquén

The second of Patagonia’s wine regions and the world’s only true 21st century wine region. Vineyards were planted in the late 90s and the first wines appeared in 2003. Now there are five commercial projects operating and gaining fame world wide for their racy cool climate Pinots, graphite-edged Malbecs and sublime sparklers.Area Under Vine: 1,443ha

Key Varieties: Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Number of Wineries: 7Altitude Range: 200m–400m

Key Areas: San Patricio Del Chañar

and Añelo

Words James Forbes

Regional guide

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Carnivorous cravings Steak and Malbec is right up there with the world’s greatest food pairings, but UK sommeliers are discovering that Argentina delivers an exceptionally diverse range of versatile, food friendly wines

Beef, more beef and the asado

The English may take a perverse sort of pride in being called Rosbifs by the French, but when it comes to beef-centred eating habits, they have nothing on the Argentines. With a per-capita consumption of 68kg of beef (the equivalent of 300 6oz steaks) a year, Argentina is the undisputed world capital of the carnivore. It’s a place where the barbecue, or asado, is elevated to an art form, and where the ideal of masculinity in what remains (female president aside) a macho country is still tied to the image of the gaucho, the free-spirited cowboy who roams the vast Pampas herding cattle.

This obsession with beef makes perfect sense to anyone with even the slightest acquaintance with Argentina’s topography. The country is blessed with perfect conditions for raising cattle in the shape of the Pampas: the vast, sparsely populated, fertile grass plains extending for hundreds of miles to the west and the south of the capital Buenos Aires on the Atlantic coast. Since the Spanish conquistadors introduced cattle to Argentina in the 1550s, high quality beef has therefore been cheap and plentiful, and it quickly became the staple food of people of all classes.

Perhaps because of its quality, there is nothing particularly complex about how the Argentines prepare their beef. The vast majority is consumed along with other

types of meat as part of a barbecue, and whether in impromptu DIY conditions by the road or street side, in the tens of thousands of parillas (barbecue restaurants or “grills”), or in private homes, the techniques are remarkably consistent.

The meat is generally well-seasoned, but not marinated, and then placed on a grill over smoking coals. It will generally be well cooked, certainly beyond what the British would call medium. And, at the more elaborate and lengthy asados, it will be served in a fairly rigid sequence.

First will come a variety of chorizo, morcilla (blood sausages produced from both beef and pork), chitterlings (pork intestine sausages), and offal. Then come the beef ribs (costillas), and the various cuts of steak – vacío (flank), ancho (rib-eye), angosto or lomito (sirloin), caudril (rump), lomo (fillet) and chorizo (a large cut from either the rib-eye or sirloin similar to the French pavé). Finally, there may be chicken or, in some areas of Patagonia, lamb.

The meat will usually be accompanied by a simple salad, some rice, bread and bowls of either or both of the spicy chimichurri (a salsa of chopped parsley or coriander, garlic, onion, paprika and olive oil) – or salsa criolla (as above with tomato).

Beyond the barbecue

Though beef and the barbecue exert the most powerful hold on the Argentine psyche, there is more to the country’s food than grilled meat. Argentines are happy to describe themselves as 45 per cent Italian, 45 per cent Spanish and 10 per cent from all over the globe and, inevitably, something of this cultural schizophrenia carries over into its cuisine.

The Italian influence is particularly strong, with pasta, pizza and risottos prevalent all over the country. None are quite the same as they are in their homeland, however. The pizzas, for example, with their higher ratio of dough to topping, are much closer to the Italian calzone than they are to the original, thin-crust Neapolitan pizza. And the pasta tends to be served with much greater quantities of sauce than in Italy, or even with Spanish style bean stews (estofado).

Aside from those stews (of which the bean dish fabada from Asturias is another common example), the Spanish accent is

perhaps most noticeable in the desserts, such as those related to the Spanish fried doughnuts churros, flans, and alfajores (profiterole-sized pastries filled with a sweet paste and covered in coconut).

By far the most prevalent sweet dish, however, is the wincingly sweet dulce de leche, a ubiquitous paste produced by boiling down condensed milk (much as if you were making banoffee pie) which is found in a huge variety of cakes and pastries and, in its commercial form, is also a common breakfast spread. Equally ubiquitous are empanadas, the pasty-like meat or cheese pies that are common across South America, but are thought to derive from the Middle East.

Though visitors to Argentina will often complain that a visit to the country will mean adding at least two belt notches to their waistlines, not everything in the cuisine is high calorie, high cholesterol fare. As befits a country with several thousands of miles of coastline, there is a also a strong seafood tradition, and the pan-South American custom of “cooking” fish by marinating it in citrus is widespread in Argentina.

There are two distinct styles of dish based on the practice. Generally speaking, ceviche uses chunks of raw fish and will include onion, garlic, chilli, tomato or a combination of the four along with the citrus (usually lime, but grapefruit and lemon are also popular) and will be left to marinade for several hours. Tiraditos are closer to Italian carpaccio or Japanese sashimi, and use slices of raw fish, which will be marinated for a much shorter time and will have far fewer ingredients in the marinade.

Words David

Williams

Malbec Made For Meat

Last year, as part of its work to push Argentine wine in the UK, generic body Wines of Argentina sought to capitalise on the classic Argentine match of meat and Malbec, by running a competition. Malbec Made for Meat, searched for the best Argentine Malbecs for a variety of classic British Sunday roasts, including beef, lamb and pork.

The winners of the final, which was judged by a panel of leading food and wine writers and sommel-iers, are both quality wines in their own right, and superb matches for pretty much any meat dish you could throw at them.1 Alta Malbec, Catena Zapata, Mendoza 2004 (Bibendum)2 Malbec, Catena Zapata, Mendoza 2004 (Bibendum)3 Malbec, Doña Paula, Mendoza 2005(Codorniu UK)

Empanadas, either meat or cheese filled, are common across South America

Argentina


Argentine wine matches that work

Reds with grilled and roast meat

The signature Argentine match. The big tannins, fresh acidity and savoury edge found not just in Argentina’s Malbec, but also in its Cabernet Sauvignons, Bordeaux blends and Syrahs, work superbly with dense red meats such as beef and venison.Light reds with game

Lighter styles of Bonarda and Barbera from Mendoza and Pinot Noir from Patagonia have the necessary freshness and lightness of touch for milder game birds such as quail. The more powerful Malbecs work better with stronger flavours such as pheasant and pigeon.Torrontés with tiraditos and ceviche

The spicy aromatics and fresh acidity of Torrontés stand up to the citrus and spice of the ceviche. Malbec with chocolate

Malbec’s generous mouthfeel and soft tannins echo the mouthfilling texture of high quality, high cocoa-content chocolate.

Matching Argentine wine …

Anyone with even the most cursory interest in matching wine with food will be aware that Argentina has given the world one of its truly great pairings. As a match, Malbec with steak is right up there with foie gras and Sauternes, roast lamb and claret, or oysters and Muscadet. But though the basic combination is a safe bet, it’s worth knowing that both Malbecs and steaks vary greatly in style, and that the different cuts work better with specific styles of Malbec and, indeed, other styles of Argentine red.

Certainly this is the view of Phil Crozier, the passionate wine buyer for the UK’s (and arguably the world’s) leading Argentine restaurant chain, The Gaucho Grill. Crozier, whose 199-bin list for the chain of 13 outlets is, bar a couple of Champagnes, exclusively Argentine, says he “could spend days working out which wines go with which specific cut, although, when you’ve got a table of four people with four different cuts

and who are looking for one bottle of wine, you can’t really legislate for those differences”.

All the same, Crozier has developed a formula to help his team guide their customers to the best steak matches. “Basically, the more fat you have in the meat, the more tannins you want in the wine. Working up through the different cuts on our menu, you’ve got a rump with two per cent fat, then a fillet with four per cent, bife de chorizo (sirloin) is nine per cent to 12 per cent fat and a rib-eye with 10 per cent to 14 per cent. So, if you’re familiar with the wines on the list, you can have some idea of what’s going to work.”

Not that it’s always going to be Malbec. “Malbec with beef is a great combination, there’s no doubt about that,” Crozier says. “But a lot of what gets people excited about it is the cultural thing, that idea of when in Rome do as the Romans do. But if anything, the Bordeaux blends from Argentina are

… with Argentine food

The asado is elevated to an art form in Argentine culture

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Food and Wine


Argentina

even better matches with steak. The Syrahs, too, which can be dark, rich, and earthy, work well. And then you’ve got Bonarda, which is a funny one. It comes in many different styles, but the lighter ones are ideal for people who are having steak but don’t usually drink red wine.

“I’ve also found that the wines of Patagonia, whether Malbec or Pinot Noir are a particularly good match with rump steak,” Crozier adds. “They’ve got an earthy, mineral, metallic flavour; there’s something almost bloody about them that just sits well with that cut.”

Given that Gaucho has made its name through the quality of it steaks, which are all imported from Argentina, it’s not surprising that so much of Crozier’s attention is focused on sourcing bottles to match meat. But that’s by no means the only match he’s interested in. The Gaucho menu also features a variety of ceviches and tiraditos, and Crozier believes these make for another classic, and quintessentially Argentine, combination.

“We do a lot of Torrontés from Salta, and try and partner that with the ceviches and tiraditos. There’s something about the floral character of Torrontés that really stands up to the spices in those dishes. And Torrontés also has this wonderful acidity

which can cope with the citrus element from the lime, lemon and grapefruit.”

Crozier also serves Torrontés with empanadas, although he says this is more about tradition than the intrinsic characteristics of the wine. But arguably his favourite match, and without doubt his most counter-intuitive, owes nothing to history. “Malbec works really well with

chocolate,” he says. “If you think about it, the beauty of chocolate is in the mouthfeel, the way it sticks to the roof of the mouth. There’s also a fair bit of tannin in good quality chocolate, and a spice element, with nutmeg and orange peel. Malbec works so well with that because it has those soft tannins, and because it’s got that same, rich, velvety, mouth-coating feel.”

… with food from around the world

It would be fair to say that the UK’s restaurant chains have yet to catch on to the many varied matches that Crozier has identified. You’ll be lucky to find anything more than a single Malbec on offer on most lists, and that wine is often presented as no more than a simple fruit-forward glugger, interchangeable with any other bottle from the New World.

It’s a slightly different story in the UK’s independent restaurants, however, where some of the country’s more intellectually curious sommeliers have begun to identify Argentina as producing some of the most versatile, food-friendly wines in the world.

“I like Argentine wines a lot,” says Emmanuel Hardonnière, head sommelier at The Glasshouse in Kew. “They are certainly my favourites in the New World. They are kind of like a meeting of New World and Old World, they have a certain Latin spririt which I like.”

Hardonnière, who has five Argentine wines on his books, says he likes to “play around” with matches from Argentina. “They are structured powerful wines, which means that they do work well with beef, and specifically with something like the châteaubriand with chips that we have on our menu.

“But I’ve also had wines such as Masi’s Paso Doble on the list, which is made in a

ripasso style [an Italian method common in Valpolicella that uses the dried skins and lees left over from making wines produced from dried grapes]. That was much lighter

and it worked really well with game birds and venison.”

Andrea Briccarello, sommelier at Corrigan’s, is also a fan of Argentina’s versatility. “In a recent tasting of Malbec, the ideal food matches were barbecued meat (go heavy on the charcoal flavours), roasted meats (the rarer the better), game (the stronger the flavour, the better the wine gets), casseroles and stews (lamb and mutton are delicious),” Briccarello says.

“The whites are particularly aromatic and grape varieties like Gewürtztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and my favourite – the Torrontés – are excellent matches with seafood, oysters, prawns, grilled fish and white meat dishes.

“From my own menu, the lighter styles of white go with tapas and light fish starters on our menu like Spiced Prawns and Chickpea Purée or Fried Oysters with Chorizo. And the more intense styles, like barrel fermented Chardonnay or Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, go with Poached Haddock, Lobster and Creamed Parsnip or John Dory with Jerusalem Artichoke and Langoustine Sauce.”

Briccarello’s enthusiasm is infectious, and surely more businesses could follow his lead. After all, as he puts it, “The sky is the limit when it comes to matching food and Argentine wines”.

Bife de Lomo, served with polenta and tomatosalsa with a Malbec reduction

Argentine whites are excellent matches with seafood

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Argentina


Dynamic duoAmong the many varieties that Argentina cultivates, there are two lesser-known grapes that have the potential to take the UK on-trade by storm

Bonarda: an Argentine quaffer

Malbec may have taken the crown as Argentina’s most popular grape but it hasn’t always been this way. Until the early part of this century, Bonarda was the country’s most planted grape variety. It is now in second spot behind Malbec, but still way ahead of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, so why isn’t it seen on more lists?

Bonarda has traditionally been considered a workhorse grape variety but this is unfair. It is making really appealing wines today and is ideally suited to the growing demand for refreshing, fruit-driven wines with soft tannin. Forget tannic Nebbiolo or Cabernet Sauvignon, which require food; Bonarda is a rare red that can be enjoyed on its own. Its juicy red fruit flavours make it ideal for a gastropub by-the-glass offer, for example.

London wine bar Vinoteca serves a Sangiovese/Bonarda blend by the glass. Its co-owner Brett Woonton loves its rich and plummy character, and the price. “It is a great quaffer and great value. It isn’t very well-known, unlike its Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon cousins, but it is great value for money,” he says. This makes Bonarda a prime candidate for house wine.

The Argentines often drink their Bonarda served chilled so it also ticks the elusive summer red box. Producer François Lurton goes as far as describing his Tierra de Luna Bonarda as a light, Beaujolais-style wine. If this is what you are after, be sure to find a producer making it in that style, as Bonarda can also become a densely coloured, structured wine with dried, rather than fresh fruit.

These ‘serious’ Bonardas need food, and are particularly well-matched to grilled meats and Italian dishes. Its affinity for Italian food is no surprise since immigrants from the Piedmont region originally brought the grape to Argentina.

While Bonarda has been making incursions into the off-trade, it has still to make an impact in the on-trade. It certainly has a place whatever the style and it offers real value for money.

At the moment, you are most likely to see Bonarda in the UK as a blend, with winemaker Susana Balbo one of many producers successfully combining it with Syrah. The Syrah grape adds depth and spiciness to the blend, adding flesh to

Bonarda’s bones. It’s also a great way to persuade your customers to try a new ‘unknown’ variety with the reassurance of an international big-hitter on the label.

Torrontés: A quirky white

Spain’s Galicia region is better known as a producer of Albariño. But it is also home to the white variety Argentina now calls its own: Torrontés. If Torrontés could be as successful as Albariño has become in the on-trade, the Argentines would be dancing in the streets of Mendoza and beyond.

But it’s still early days for Argentina, having only really started to make inroads on the international wine market since 2002, and Torrontés may take time to catch on. Thankfully, it’s easy for customers to pronounce but awareness is low compared with international varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. This is why you’ll see Torrontés in blends as well as single varietal wines.

If you want to add a Torrontés to your list and don’t want to take the full 10-metre dive, a blend could be the way to test the waters. What’s more, Torrontés is a very distinctive grape and a more neutral variety like Chardonnay can soften its powerful aroma.

However, if you have a customer base prepared to try new things, and willing to go beyond the safety of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio then a 100 per cent

Torrontés is the way to go. It is highly aromatic with lots of floral notes reminiscent of rose petals as well as lime and white flowers. It is not shy and retiring by any means, as Laurie Webster of Argentine specialist Las Bodegas explains: “You will have a love or hate relationship with Torrontés. It has such a strong personality – and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

However, there are different styles of Argentine Torrontés and if you want to introduce a by-the-glass offer look out for a Mendoza Torrontés, says Solano Peña Lenzi, managing director of HispaMerchants, whose clients include Nobu, Sketch and The Cinnamon Club. “Mendoza Torrontés is lighter and not so ‘in your face’. You can sell this as an aperitif when it’s in a light style without such an expressive nose,” he says.

The grape reaches its apogee in the most northerly wine-growing region of Argentina – Salta. The most elegant, aromatic and fresh styles can be found from producers such as Colomé, Etchart or Domingo Molina. These are for your Anything But Chardonnay customers who appreciate something off the beaten track or want to progress from less aromatic Torrontés.

This style may well be successful by the glass but it is at its best with food. It’s a fantastic pairing with the fragrant ingredients of Thai cusine but it’s equally at home with the sharp flavours of ceviche.

Words Rebecca

Gibb

Bonarda Torrontès

Grape varieties

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Argentina


Trapiche

About the company:Established: 1883 History: Located at the foothills of the Andes, Trapiche is the most widely recognised of all Argentine wine brands. Throughout its history, Trapiche has understood the strong points of Argentine viticulture and sources grapes from over 200 independent producers, as well as its own substantial vineyard holdings. The Las Palmas vineyard was acquired in 2006.Area under vineyard: 1,000ha Total wine production: 2.5 million

cases (1.5 millions cases in the Export market and one million domestic) Top three varieties: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay Other standout wines/brands: Trapiche Manos, Trapiche’s new icon wine, and BroquelFuture developments: Over the past two years the company has been developing three new regions, two new vineyards in the Uco Valley (Los Arboles and Altamira) another one in Pedernal, San Juan and a third area in the east coast of Argentina by the sea,

in Buenos Aires. Trapiche is also looking to develop a new vineyard in Patagonia. In November 2008, along with the celebrations of it 125th anniversary, Trapiche opened the doors of its new winery, which incorporates the latest technology and equipment for the production of its high-end wines. It has a capacity of 10 million litres.Website: www.trapiche.com.arUK supplier: Barwell Jones Wines, 020 7922 1610, www.hbjwines.co.uk

Wine: Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Viña Federico Villafañe, 2006 Winemaker: Daniel Pi, 47Trophy: Malbec $20-$50Region: Mendoza, Uco Valley, La ConsultaTasting note: A big wine, with lots of sweet fruit and oak in perfect balance. Full of freshness and life (CM)Ideal food matches: Lamb and pork dishesWe love this wine because... It has a high concentration and excellent roundness

Wine: Trapiche Finca Las Palmas Chardonnay, 2007Winemaker: Daniel Pi, 47 Trophy: Chardonnay $20-$50Region: Mendoza, Uco ValleyProduced: Control fermented at 15ºC with wild yeast in oak barrels and lies for nine months Tasting notes: Lean, bready, citrus aromatics. Leesy in the mouth with a touch of malo. Lean and impressive, fresh and very drinkable (CM); Subtle use of oak partnered by great acidity. Bready and complex (TJA) Ideal food matches: White meats and fish We love this wine because... This Chardonnay has great balance between wood and fruit

Winner interviewsThe trophy takers; who they are, what they make and where they’re going

Trophy winners


Viña Doña PaulaWine: Doña Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc, 2008Winemaker: Stefano Gandolini, 43 Trophy: Sauvignon Blanc Under $10Region: Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoProduced: The grapes come from 44 acres planted between 2000 and 2002 in the Finca Los Cerezos Estate in Tupungato. The vine spacing is 2.2m by 1.6m with strictly observed vertical shoot positioning and both spur and cane pruningTasting notes: Lovely, fresh catty sauvignon blanc. Easily the best I’ve tasted from Argentina (CM); Grapefruity, tangy and aromatic. Lovely varietal expression with crisp acid and very good length (TJA) Ideal food matches: Ceviche prawn cocktail, seafood and caviarWe love this wine because: Beyond the obvious and overt aromatics of the Sauvignon Blanc grape it delivers a structured palate with plenty of character and good length

About the companyEstablished: 1997History: Founded when the Claro Group acquired more than 760 ha of land in the Ugarteche area in 1997. Its first harvest was in 1999 with the introduction of the Selección de Bodega line and Doña Paula Estate range. The years 2000 and 2001 focused on preparing for commercial release. Area under vineyard: 703haTotal wine production: 2.9 million litresTop three varieties: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay Other standout wines/brands: Selección de Bodega Malbec 2005Future developments: The London International Wine Fair will see the re-launch of all the wine lines with a new, more premium image Website: www.donapaula.comUK supplier: Codorníu UK Ltd, 01892 500 281

Bodegas Santa AnaWine: Santa Ana Chardonnay – Viognier, 2008Winemaker: Rodolfo ‘Opi’ Sadler, 48 TROPHY: White Blend $10-$20Region: Mendoza, MaipuProduced: The Mendoza vineyard has hard stony soil and very good temperature variation, while the warm climate in the San Juan vineyard is very good for ViognierTasting notes: Big and rich with the honey of Chardonnay and the cream and apricot of Viognier, Big and bold with great acidity (CM); Bright lifted aromatics. Rich, lively and commercial, in the best sense of the word, on the palate (SJE)We love this wine because… It has all the fruity character of the grapes from the northern part of Argentina and the crispiness of grapes from a more southern area

About the companyEstablished: 1891History: The company was founded by Luis Tirasso, an Italian immigrant who pioneered Argentina’s viticulture and winemaking. In the 1970s it became the leader in the domestic market and in the 1980s it established an export network. The company now also exports to more than 45 countries around the world. It has a storage and winemaking capacity of 12 million litres.Area under vineyard: 750haTotal wine production: 400,000 casesTop three varieties: Malbec, Cabernet and ChardonnayOther standout wines/brands: La Mascota range, a single vineyard premium rangeFuture developments: To invest in cutting-edge production processes techniques to meet the changes in consumer tastesWebsite: www.bodegas-santa-ana.com.arUK supplier: Enotria Winecellars, 020 8963 4809, www.enotria.co.uk

Argentina


Trophy winners

Bodegas Etchart

About the company

Wine: Etchart Torrontés Late Harvest, 2007Winemaker: Victor Marcantoni, 49Trophy: Dessert $10-$20Region: Salta, CafayateTasting notes: Lovely, rich and honeyed. Good acidity with flavours of grapefruit and marmalade (TJA); A delicious wine (CM)Ideal food matches: Foie gras, tapas, blue cheese, dried fruits and almonds, fruit mousse, fruit-based pies and citrus based ice-creamWe love this wine because… It is elegantly sweet, well balanced and very distinguished

Wine: Ayres de Cafayate Torrontés, 2008Winemaker: Victor Marcantoni, 49 Trophy: Torrontés $10-$20Region: Salta, CafayateProduced: The grapes are sourced from vineyards in Cafayate, at 1,750m above sea level, in Salta Province. They are hand-picked and crushed in a pneumatic press before undergoing tempera-ture controlled fermentation with carefully selected yeast strains in stainless steel tanks. The wine is not aged in oak.Tasting notes: Aromatic, fresh and very pure. Fine, very elegant and balanced (TJA); Bright and clean on the nose with a slight hint of celery. In the mouth it’s soft, a touch catty, yet floral and citrussy at the same time. Very good (CM)Ideal food matches: Fish, chicken, cheeses and sour pork We love this wine because… It’s a versatile drop

Established: 1850History: One of the oldest wineries in Argentina, it was founded in La Florida, Cafayate, in Salta Province. This is where the first Torrontés vines were planted and Etchart has a long history of making top quality wines from this and other varieties in the region. French giant Pernod-Ricard acquired the winery in 1996 and invested heavily in the project to create the modern, well equipped winery that it is today. Area under vineyard: 370haTotal wine production: Approx. 6.6 million bottlesTop three varieties: Torrontés, Cabernet and MalbecOther standout wines/brands: The top red blend is Arnaldo B, aged for 15 months in French and American oak barrels

Future developments: To grow in new areas, explore new varieties (like Pinot Grigio, Albarino, Marselan and Ancellota), and to experiment with winemaking techniques to produce even more fruit-driven styles of wine. The company is about to launch a new, super premium Torrontés. It sees potential for huge growth and is working closely with all its markets to expand its portfolio. The UK, Canada, Brazil and the Netherlands, in particular, will be the focal points for the company to expand and innovate in the future as well as raise awareness of grape varieties and the brand through distribution. Website: www.bodegasetchart.comUK importer: Pernod-Ricard UK UK supplier: Matthew Clark, 01275 891 400, www.matthewclark.co.uk


Bodega François Lurton

Andeluna Cellars

Established: 1992History: Formed with the initial aim of producing a wine for the Argentine market, founders Jacques and François Lurton soon developed a broader strategy. Captivated by the quality of the terroir, vir-gin land set at high altitudes, the excellent climate, and the presence of underground water, in 1996 they set up their own bod-ega in the Uco Valley.Area under vineyard: 250ha. A second

estate, Finca Barrancas in Maipu, has 65haTotal wine production: 290,000 casesOther standout wines/brands: Chacayes (Mendoza), Piedra Negra (Mendoza), Gran Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon (Valle de Uco), Alcayata (Mendoz), Pasitea (Valle de Uco), Tierra de Luna (Mendoza), Bodega François Lurton (Valle de Uco)Future developments: It will be present-ing a new red blend, Alcayata – 85 per cent Malbec and 15 per cent Syrah made

with fruit from its Finca Alcayata prop-erty in Eastern Mendoza – at the London International Wine Fair. It is also in the process of developing a white, “methode Champenoise”, sparkling Alcayata that marries two grape varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.Website: www.francoislurton.comUK supplier: Roberson Wine Merchant, 020 7371 2121, www.robersonwinemer-chant.co.uk

Wine: Grand Reserve Pasionado, 2004Winemaker: Silvio AlbertoTrophy: Red Blend $20-$50Region: Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Uco ValleyProduced: Grapes are put into stainless steel tanks for a cold maceration lasting seven days. After the alcoholic fermentation the wine is placed in new French oak barrels for 12 months after which time it is blended and placed back in barrels for an additional six months. The wine is then bottled and aged a minimum of 18 months before releaseTasting notes: Brightly aromatic with the Cab Franc leading the way. Lovely, leafy and fragrant. Very harmonious (CM); Subtle, elegant and restrained (SJE)Ideal food matches: Grilled or roast beef or lamb, spicy vegetables, hearty sauces and rich stewsWe love this wine because... Of its wonderful structure and concentra-tion, as well as the sweetness in your mouth and long finish

Established: Late 2002History: Andeluna Cellars is owned by H. Ward Lay, son of the late Herman Lay, who was founder of Frito-Lay and chairman of the board of PepsiCo. The name Andeluna was chosen to symbolize the romance and mystery of the Argentine moon that illuminates the Uco Valley at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The 48,000 square foot winery and vineyard are located

near the town of Tupungato in Mendoza province, and it was built in 2003, and opened for production in 2004. It has a one million litre tank capacity, a 1,200 barrel aging capacity, and a 720,000 bottle storage capacity. Area under vineyard: 68haTotal wine production: 60,000 casesTop three varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc

Other standout wines/brands: Limited Reserve Malbec, Reserve Malbec and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and Andeluna Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and TorrontésFuture developments: Increasing use of screwcap/Stelvin type closuresWebsite: www.andeluna.comUK supplier: Novum Wines 020 7820 6720 www.novumwines.com

Wine: Gran Lurton Corte Friulano, 2008Winemaker: Sebastian Sanmartin, 35 Trophy: White Blend $20-$50Region: Mendoza, Uco Valley, Vista FloresProduced: The vines are planted on stoney soil, trellised using vertical shoot positioning and drip irrigated. The bunches are protected from excess exposure to the sun to preserve freshness and aromaticsTasting notes: Quite toasty oak on the nose, fresh, rich complex and delicious on the palate. One of the best whites I’ve tasted in Argentina (CM); Superb wine. Wonderfully aromatic, balanced, complex, elegant and fine (TJA)We love this wine because... Of its aromatic richness

About the company

About the company

Argentina


Trophy winners

Finca DeceroWine: Decero Amano, Remolinos Vineyard, 2006Winemaker: Marcos Fernandez, 30Trophy: Red Blend Over $50Region: Mendoza, Agrelo,Produced: The Remolinos Vineyard in Agrelo in Mendoza. (Remolinos means – ‘whirlwind) gets great airflow through the vineyard which keeps the grapes healthy through the growing season. Excellent hallmark aromatics of violets pervade the Malbec and Decero AmanoTasting notes: Leafy and sumptuous on the nose. Great use of oak, really complex with intense richness of fruit (SJE); Rich and bright with a strong Cabernet influence. Quite high in alcohol, but balanced with lovely oak. Very good (CM)We love this wine because… Although it is an extremely complex and rich wine due to its multiple layers of fruit and velvety tannins, it has balance and elegance

About the companyEstablished: 2000History: Decero, meaning ‘from scratch’, was born of a bare patch of land and a family’s love affair with wine. Winemaking in Thomas Schmidheiny’s family went back to his grandpar-ents in Switzerland and, just as Napa had inspired his mother, Adda, in the 1970s, so too did Agrelo capture the heart of Thomas, when visiting Argentina 20 years later. Area under vineyard: 100haTotal wine production: 12,000 cases Top three varieties: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit VerdotFuture developments: To conduct research into canopy management, irrigation and balance of the vineyardWebsite: www.decero.comUK supplier: Berkmann Wine Cellars, 020 7609 4711, www.berkmann.co.uk Bodegas Nieto Senetiner

Wine: Limited Edition Bonarda, 2007Winemaker: Roberto Gonzalez, 46 Trophy: Bonarda $20-$50Region: Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloProduced: Made using classic methods, grapes are hand harvested and put into small concrete vats for a two-day cool maceration. Wines are stored in French oak barrels for 12 months before being aged in bottle for a further 12 monthsTasting notes: Deep colour and very aromatic. Excellent, peppery, well-balanced Bonarda. (TJA); Bright damsony fruit, lovely and ripe. Good acid/alcohol balance (CM)Ideal food matches: Meat filled empanadas, mushroom risotto, tagliatelle and ravioli with red sauce and meatWe love this wine because… It has rich plum flavours and a long silky finish

About the companyEstablished: 1888History: Founded by Italian immigrants, the company was managed by a number of different families during the first decades of the last century. In 1969 it was bought by the Nieto Senetiner family and was later acquired by Perez Companc family in 1998.Area under vineyard: 300haTotal wine production: 1 million casesTop three varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, MerlotOther standout wines/brands: Don Nicanor, Cadus, Santa IsabelWebsite: www. nietosenetiner.comUK Supplier: Boutinot Ltd, 0161 908 1315, www.boutinot.com


Bodega NortonWine: Norton Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006Winemaker: Jorge Riccitelli, 59 Trophy: Cabernet Sauvignon $10-$20Region: Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Produced: Grapes are picked manually in 20kg cases in the cool hours of the early morning so they reach the sorting table at low temperatures. These grapes are the result of a careful selection of Cabernet Sauvignon from different estates located in Agrelo and Perdriel, within Lujan de Cuyo, MendozaTasting notes: Leafy, green notes on the nose with a rich, supple and spicy palate (SJE); Very pure varietal flavour and great at the price! (TJA); Leafy, rich, supple and spicy (SJE)We love this wine because... It has an incredible balance between the ripe and red fruit and the oak

About the company Established: 1895History: English railway engineer Sir Edmund Norton founded Bodega Norton in 1895. Norton was the first winery located at the south of the Mendoza River Valley. In 1989, Austrian Mr. Gernot Langes-Swarovski purchased the estate.Area under vineyard: 650haTotal wine production: Half a million cases for the export marketsTop three varieties: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and MerlotOther standout brands: Norton young varietals, Norton Reserva, Norton Privada and Gernot LangesFuture developments: To increase plantations, install new hail nets, increase manual sorting capacity and move into sparkling wine produc-tion. A re-design of one range is under way and new brands will launch in the coming monthsWebsite: www.norton.com.arUK supplier: Berkmann Wine Cellars, 0207 609 4711, www.berkmann.co.uk

Viña CobosWine: Bramare Luján de Cuyo Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006Winemakers: Paul Hobbs, 55, and Luis Barraud, 40Trophy: Cabernet Sauvignon $20-$50Regio: Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, PerdrielProduced: Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrel before the wine is aged 18 months in French and American OakTasting notes: Sweet fruit on the nose, almost blackcurrant syrup in character. Very concentrated in the mouth, very intense with quite high alcohol yet beautifully flavoured (CM) Ideal food matches: Meat, chocolate-based dessertsWe love this wine because... The concentration of fruit due to the low production by hectare is balanced with the wood for a complex wine

About the company:Established: 1998History: Viña Cobos is the result of a shared dream inspired by the passion of California winemaker Paul Hobbs and his Argentine partners Andrea Marchiori and Luis Barraud. In 2005, Viña Cobos broke ground on a state of the art gravity-flow winemaking facility in the Perdriel section of Mendoza. Area under vineyard: 53haTotal wine production: Approximately 45,000 cases (12 bottles)Top three varieties: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon & ChardonnayOther standout wines/brands: The Cobos and Felino brandsFuture developments: To work on more single vineyards wines, more appellation wines and on a Torrontés variety Website: www.vinacobos.com UK supplier: Alliance Wine, 01505 506 245, www.alliancewine.co.uk

Argentina


Antigua Bodega de San Juan

Bodegas KrontirasWine: Doña Silvina Reserva, 2006Winemaker: Panos Zoumboulis, 54 Trophy: Malbec Over $50Region: Mendoza, Luján de CuyoProduced: Comes from vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo (Perdriel, Lunlunta Hills area), Mendoza. The vines are around 80 years old and the Finca is also located by Mendoza River, which creates a special microclimate that benefits the grapes.Tasting notes: Inky and richly coloured with sweet perfume. Very big in the mouth with massive pure sweet fruit. Glossy and smooth (CM); Great luminosity to this very good Malbec. Concentrated, structured with lovely tannins (TJA); Beautifully rich, beautifully structured (SJE)Ideal food matches: Argentine beefWe love this wine because… It comes from very old vines, in an outstanding terroir

About the companyEstablished: 2003History: Doña Silvina wines carry the name of the wife of the owner of the company, Mr Krontiras, a Greek entrepreneur and great wine lover who decided to make a top quality Malbec from Mendoza. He bought two fincas one in Maipú (Villa seca) and the other one in Lujan de Cuyo where the flagship winery is being built. His wife Silvina supervises the labels design and the architectural evolution of the winery in Lujan de Cuyo. The vines are around 80 years old, which is uncommon in Argentina.

Area under vineyard: Lujan de Cuyo (Perdriel, Lunlunta Hills) 8ha, Maipu (Villa Seca), 18haTotal wine production: 20,000 litresTop three varieties: Malbec, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot Future developments: To increase capacity to 250,000 litres by 2012 yet at the same time following biodynamic methods of wine production. It is about to finish construction of a second winery in Lujan de Cuyo which will become its flagship building (winery and headquarters) and which has been built using

biodynamic architectural concepts – the company claims it will be the first in the region. It also intends to market its brand as directly as possible and will retain straight contact with importers, restaurateurs, wine shop owners, wine educators, sommeliers, and consumers. Future launches will include a Malbec rosé, Chardonnay and Petit Verdot as well as a blend (probably Malbec with Tempranillo and/or Petit Verdot).Website: www.bodegaskrontiras.com UK supplier: None as yet

Wine: Antigua Bodega Syrah, 2007Winemaker: Gino SantinonTrophy: Syrah Under $10Region: San Juan, PocitosProduced: At 562 metres above sea level the vineyards are situated at the foot of the Andes and are divided into 20 different lots. Vineyards are developed using a system of high trellis, bilateral cordon and drip irrigation systemTasting notes: Absolutely great at the price. A well handled Shiraz, with sweet fruit, good acidity and length (TJA); A sweet, ripe and very bright wine (CM)Ideal food matches: Grilled and barbecued meat, strong cheeses and cold hamsWe love this wine because… Of its soft tannins and well balanced body

About the companyEstablished: 1929History: The vineyard has been in the hands of Luis Victor Chirino and Azucena Juarez De Chirino since the mid 1980s when they bought the Antigua Bodega, but a winery has been on the property since the late nineteenth century. A museum featuring machinery belonging to the 1918 winery can still be found on site.Area under vineyard: 384haTotal wine production: 71,000 casesTop three varieties: Cabernet, Chardonnay, SyrahOther standout wines/brands: Antigua Bodega Chardonnay 2007, Carbernet Sauvignon 2007 and Malbec 2007Website: www.antiguabodega.com UK Supplier: None as yet

Trophy winners


On the map With vast tracts of land under vineyard and a variety of climates, Argentina offers plenty of interesting sub-regions for the adventurous to explore

I can still remember tasting my first Argentine wines (Catena Zapata, more than a decade ago). I was impressed by the vibrant quality of fruit. Today Argentine Malbec is a regular on many wine lists, generally at the value end, but given its size as the world’s fifth largest producer, Argentina is under-represented. With a territory four times as big as France and 225,846 hectares planted in vines, there is considerable variety in Argentina’s wine regions. Its vineyards extend in latitude an impressive 22° to 42° south and from 200 to 3,000 metres above sea level.

Argentina is seen primarily as a red wine producer, its ‘signature’ variety being Malbec. Brought to Argentina in the mid-19th century from south west France, it has adapted well to every wine region in the country. Made in a variety of styles, from young and simple to the complex and age-worthy, including rosés, sparkling and fortified wines, it can also express regional and sub-regional characters. Argentina’s “fascinating diversity can be expressed through Malbec,” says Phil Crozier, buyer of the Gaucho group, “providing a great way to taste all of the regions through one grape.”

More than Malbec

As well as Malbec, Argentina boasts more than 100 other varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon has been particularly successful, both as a varietal and as a blending partner for Malbec, notably in Mendoza, while Merlot has performed in cooler and higher zones, like Patagonia and the Mendoza sub region of Uco Valley.

Even cooler climates are required by Pinot Noir and as vineyard expansion grows in Patagonia so we are seeing more successful examples. A range of Italian varieties including Sangiovese reflect significant Italian immigration, although it is Bonarda which seems to perform best. It may not be the grape the Italians call Bonarda, according to Gustavo Rosell, agronomist at RJ Vinedos, but “it has a great future in specific terroirs; altitude is perhaps the most important factor”. It is a variety that is being re-discovered, according to Mariela Molinari at Catena, performing best in the relatively unfashionable eastern part of Mendoza.

Traditionally, Syrah was blended with other varieties, but cultivation has expanded and more varietal versions are appearing. It likes sunny areas, like the Pedernal, Zonda and Tulum valleys in San Juan, and also Eastern Mendoza. Argentine Syrah’s new frontier is the higher, cooler Uco Valley where, despite the young vines, the wines are showing considerable promise.

Given Argentina’s colonial heritage it is little surprise that Tempranillo is planted, but with the odd exception we haven’t yet seen what it can really do.

While there are plenty of white varieties planted, it is Chardonnay and Torrontés that capture the most attention. Other varieties, many of them aromatic such as Viognier, show early signs of promise.

Torrontés has mostly changed in recent years, with more careful winemaking from a pungent, confected, coarse-textured style to a finer, fragrant, grapey dry style of

moderate weight, which makes a great by the glass pour. Molinari sees great potential for Sauvignon Blanc in cooler sites, such as Tupungato and Patagonia, a view supported by Daniel Hart, New World buyer at Enotria, “I have tasted Sauvignon Blancs that are consistently better than what’s available from Chile at the same price, generally from the higher altitude sites in the least favourable aspects.”

Taking in the regions

Mendoza, producing about 80 per cent of Argentina’s wine, is the country’s dominant region. In such a big region, sub-regions have important implications for style.

Eastern Mendoza and San Raphael in the South are warm and historically important, but it is the southern central regions of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu, along with the Uco Valley to the south west, where most of the modern developments in viticulture have been taking place.

Broadly speaking Mendoza can be divided into 10 sub-regions, but you are equally likely to find the name of a DOC, IG or other specific zone on wine labels; traditional areas such as Agrelo, Perdriel and Vistalba, and newer areas like Altamira, Tupungato and Ugarteche are all being featured with increasing regularity.

The region’s finest Malbec often comes from Luján de Cujo and the higher, cooler sites to the south west in Uco Valley, while Cabernet Sauvignon does particularly well on the gravelly soils of Maipú. Crozier believes the future of Argentina lies in new styles of wine “based around the terroir,

Words Peter

McCombie

Argentina’s diverse altitudes produce some exciting wines

Argentina


region and single vineyards”. He looks to “up and coming areas in Mendoza, such as Altamira and Vista Flores in the Uco Valley”, as well as “re-visiting the older areas such as Lunlunta and Perdriel”.

However, Enotria’s Hart points out that “consumer perspective is unlikely to recognise Mendoza sub-zones and often the wines show more complexity when cross-zone blended anyway”. Argentina’s best Chardonnay is grown in Uco’s highest vineyards around Tupungato.

‘Great things to come’

While it is easy to focus on Malbec and Mendoza the other regions have much to offer. In the far north Salta has the world’s highest altitude vineyards in the Calchaqui Valley, but Cafayate is better known. The best wines are made from Torrontés, although Malbec, on its own or in a blend, can be exciting and new plantings by ambitious producers suggest there’s more to come. Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon can also perform well.

To the south while La Rioja and San Juan are both warm regions producing mostly affordable wines, Patricio Angonoa of La Riojana is excited about the “natural viticultural paradise” of Famatina Valley in La Rioja, considering it a rival to Mendoza for quality.

South of Mendoza in Patagonia are the notably cooler zones of Rio Negro and Neuquén, where base wine for sparkling wines is made, along with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Torrontés. A fresher style of Malbec is made here and early ripening varieties including Merlot and Pinot Noir are increasingly planted. “Pinot Noir from Patagonia shows much promise,” says Crozier, “and the current quality from relatively young wines is an indication of great things to come.”

Perhaps more than any other New World country Argentina has more diverse vineyard sites due to its range of latitudes and altitudes. “Argentina offers great value at entry to medium price,” insists Molinari. “At the premium end, in comparison to fine wines from other top regions in the world it also delivers class wines at affordable prices.”

Her view gets strong support from the Gaucho’s Crozier, whose 199 bin all-Argentine wine list makes him something of an expert. “The diversity of varietals and terroir is as rich as any other major wine producing country,” he says. “Most of our guests feel comfortable at £30 to £40. Our most expensive wine is £195 which, when you are tasting one of the best wines from the fifth largest wine producer in the world, represents great value.”

In these recessionary times, as customers look for better values without compromising quality, it is worth taking another look at Argentina.

North

1 Molinos2 El Arenal3 Cafayate4 Fiambalá Valley

Cuyo

5 Famatina Valley6 Pedernal Valley7 Tulum Valley8 Zonda Valley9 North10 East11 Maipú East

12 Luján/Maipú13 Luján/West14 RÍo Mendoza South15 Uco Valley West16 Uco Valley Center17 San Carlos18 San Rafael, Mendoza

Patagonia

19 San Patricio del Chañar20 Upper RÍo Negro Valley

Up and coming regions


▲ Value ● Mid Range ◆ Premium ★ Super Premium (TJA)-Tim Atkin (CM)-Charles Metcalfe (SJE)-Sarah Jane Evans

Gold medalists All 28 gold medal winners at this year’s Argentina Wine Awards are listed below, together with some of the judges’ tasting notes

Bodega François Lurton, Alcayata, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, Vista Flores Supplier Robersons, 020 7371 2121, www.robersonwinemerchant.co.uk

Very sweet oaky nose. Supple, charming, very drinkable. Lovely (CM)

Bodega Luigi Bosca - Familia Arizu, Finca La Linda

Torrontés, 2008 ●

Region Salta, CafayateSupplier H+H Bancroft, 020 7232 5440, www.bancroftwines.com

Lean with lemons and grapefruit. Bright and herbaceous style (CM)

Bodega Monteviejo, Monteviejo, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Friarwood, 020 7736 2628, www.friarwood.com

Ripe, rich nose. A lovely blend of dark smooth fruit with some earthy notes, high quality oak and high tannins. Very good (CM); Very big with masses of fruit, balanced by pronounced oak and plenty of tannin (TJA)

Bodega Vistalba, Progenie, NV ★

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Great Western Wines, 01225 322808, www.greatwesternwine.co.uk

Nice tight bubbles, quite a dry style, complex with good balance and very good length (TJA)

El Porvenir de los Andes, Laborum

Torrontés, 2008 ◆

Region Salta, CafayateSupplier HispaMerchants, 020 8740 4556, www.hispamerchants.com

Lovely although not typical Torrontés. Bright and fresh yet understated (CM)

Dominio del Plata Winery, Crios de Susana Balbo


Region Salta, Cafayate & La RiojaSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442, www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Very lemony with Moscatel aromas. Fine, light, soft, elegant and delicious. Slightly off dry (CM)

Finca El Origen , Finca El Origen Torrontés Reserve, 2008 ●

Region Salta, CafayateSupplier Crush Wines, 01249 811 737, www.crush-wines.com

Fresh, bright, herby. Crisp hints of lavender and citrus. Lovely and a touch phenolic (CM)

Trapiche, Broquel Torrontés, 2008 ●

Region Salta, CafayateSupplier Barwell Jones Wines, 020 7922 1610, www.hbjwines.co.uk

Bright and fresh with a hint of Lavender on the nose. Crisp, soft and fragrant with lovely acidity (CM)

Argentina


Award Winners

Bodega del Tupun, Atipax Reserva, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, Tupungato, Supplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.tupun.com.ar

Brooding, dense nose, slightly coarse. In the mouth thick, powerful and tarry (CM); Very deeply coloured with a note of oxidation on the nose. Big, tannic and tarry in the mouth (TJA)

Bodega Norton, Norton Privada, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de CuyoSupplier Berkmann Wine Cellars, 020 7609 4711, www.berkmann.co.uk

Very, very appealing with less intensity than some, but bright, ripe and fresh (CM)

Bodega Septima , Septima Gran Reserva, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley & Luján de CuyoSupplier Codorniu, 01892 500 250

Big rich and oaky to start but follows a palate of supple, smooth tannins and ripe sweet fruit (CM); A wine with lovely structure, complexity and balance (TJA)

Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier, Alfa Crux Blend, 2003 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Seckfords Agencies, 01206 231188, www.seckfordagencies.co.uk

Very bright raspberry scented nose. Lovely fresh and bright in the mouth, dense and savoury at the same time. Very good (CM); Deliciously individual! (SJE)

Eral Bravo, Eral Bravo ‘YBS’, 2006 ◆

Region MendozaSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442, www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Piercing blackcurrant fruit on the nose. Really supple, easy and appealing with a Ribena note (CM)

Clos de Chacras, Cavas de Crianza Blend, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, La ConsultaSupplier Andean Wine, 01285 721 067, [email protected]

Soft elegant and simply delicious almost un-Argentine! Harmonious with smooth tannins and lovely ripe fruit (CM); Floral, bright, juicy and linear (SJE)

Bodegas y Viñedos Hugo y Eduardo Pulenta , Pulenta

Estate Gran Corte, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Alto AgreloSupplier Fields Morris & Verdin, 020 7819 0360, www.fmvwines.com

Succulent red fruits with just a little note of oxidation on the nose. Rich with fresh, sweet fruit on the palate. Good balance and length (SJE); Sweet, ripe and blackcurranty nose. On the palate there’s mint and something vegetal among the sweetness of the fruit (CM)

Finca La Celia, La Celia Elite Malbec/Tannat, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, San CarlosSupplier Les Grand Chais de France, 01962 622 067, www.lgcf.com

Lovely bright and rich. Smooth and savoury with fine tannins (CM)

Finca Flichman, Dedicado, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Maipu & Uco ValleySupplier Stevens Garnier, 01865 263 300, www.stevensgarnier.co.uk

Fresh, bright and ripe on the nose. Elegant and fresh in the mouth too. Very appealing indeed (CM); Fun, oaky palate with lots of rich fruit but not too sweet (SJE)

Finca Sophenia, Sophenia Synthesis The Blend, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Ellis of Richmond, 020 8744 5550, www.ellisofrichmond.co.uk

Balanced and well structured, with very good concentration. Lots of vibrant fruit, backed by great acidity and length (TJA); Very creamy, modern palate, intense with licorice spice (SJE)


Argentina▲ Value ● Mid Range ◆ Premium ★ Super Premium

NQN Patagonia, Colección NQN, 2006 ◆

Region Patagonia, NeuquenSupplier HispaMerchants, 020 8740 4556, www.hispamerchants.com

Sumptuous aromatics. Rich, limpid with a long, minerally finish (SJE); Sweet vanilla on the nose followed by bright, ripe, sweet fruit on the palate that carries high tannins in lovely balance (CM)

Finca La Chamiza, La Chamiza Martin Alsina Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de CuyoSupplier World Wine Agencies, 01608 658 062,www.worldwineagencies.com

Attractive yet reserved on the nose. The palate is quite oaky but glossy perfumed and fine (TJA); Funky, mocha coffee aromatics. Very ripe on the palate, fine, elegant and long (SJE)

Finca Las Moras, Las Moras Gran Shiraz 3 Valleys, 2005 ◆

Region San Juan, Pedernal, Zonda, TulumSupplier Chalié Richards, 0845 850 4405, www.chalie-richards.co.uk

Very rich smokey bacon nose. Spicy, rich and complex! (TJA)

Trapiche, Trapiche Finca Las Palmas Cabernet

Sauvignon, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Maipú, Cruz de PiedraSupplier Barwell Jones Wines, 020 7922 1610, www.hbjwines.co.uk

Very minty, leafy, lovely and pure. Very elegant, refreshing and long (TJA)

Trivento Bodegas y Viñedos, Trivento Golden

Reserve Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de CuyoSupplier Concha y Toro UK, 01865 338 013, [email protected]

Wow, really oaky! Sweet ripe fruit, lovely freshness and intensity and more oak (CM)

Kaiken , Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 ◆

Region MendozaSupplier HWCG, 01279 873 500, www.hwcg.co.uk

Lovely supple nose, savoury, spicy and bold in the mouth with a long dry finish (SJE); Bright, fresh and elegant on the nose. Firm tannins, lovely fruit, elegant and restrained (CM)

Bodegas y Viñedos Santos J. Carelli , Carelli Malbec, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Stone Vine & Sun, 01962 712 351, www.stonevine.co.uk

Rich and very ripe on the nose. Fine and silky smooth in the mouth with lovely bright, ripe fruit (CM); Nice, very ripe yet elegant with firm tannins (TJA)

Domaine Vistalba, Fabre Montmayou Gran Reserva

Malbec , 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, VistalbaSupplier Vinothentic, 020 7354 1994, www.vinothentic.com

Atypical Malbec aromatics. Fleshy new oak combine on a savoury, licorice palate (SJE)

Bodega Ruca Malen, Kinien Malbec, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley – Vista FloresSupplier Corney&Barrow, 020 7265 2400, www.corneyandbarrow.com

Dark mulberry fruit. Lower in alcohol, bright and fresh with firm tannins and oak showing through (CM)

Bodegas El Porvenir de los Andes, Laborum Malbec, 2006 ★

Region Salta, CafayateSupplier HispaMerchants, 020 8740 4556, www.hispamerchants.com

Rich, ripe and sweet fruited. Lovely acidity and freshness. Must be from the high country! (CM); Sumptuous oak an vanilla. Ripe and supple with beautiful texture. Fresh with a touch of licorice. Great Balance and structure (SJE)

Award Winners

Argentina


▲ Value ● Mid Range ◆ Premium ★ Super Premium Award Winners

Silver medalists An impressive 203 silver medals were given at this year’s Awards, reflecting Argentina’s diversity and great strength in depth

WHITE

Sparkling Wine

Bodega Septima , Maria Reserva, 2006 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, Vista FloresSupplier Codorniu UK, 01892 500 250

Familia Zuccardi, Alma 4 Chardonnay

Roble, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza Supplier Alliance Wines, 01505 506 245,www.alliancewine.co.uk

Chardonnay

Algodon Wine Estates, Bombal &

Aldao - Chardonnay, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, San Rafael Supplier Bonhote Foster, 01440 730 779,www.bonhotefoster.co.uk

Bodega Atamisque, Catalpa

Chardonnay, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier None in UK, [email protected], www.atamisque.com

Bodega Catena Zapata, Alamos

Chardonnay, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier Bibendum, 020 7449 4110, www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

Bodega Catena Zapata, Catena Chardonnay,

2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier Bibendum, 020 7449 4110, www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

Finca Don Carlos , Calathus Chardonnay

Roble, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Pampas Wines, 01438 712 753,www.pampaswines.com

Zorzal, Zorzal Chardonnay, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.zorzalwines.com

Trivento Bodegas y Viñedos, Trivento

Golden Reserve Chardonnay, 2008 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Concha y Toro UK, 01865 338 013, [email protected]

Rutini Wines, Rutini Apartado,

2007 ★

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Anthony Byrne Fine Wines, 01487 814 555, www.abfw.co.uk

Sauvignon Blanc

Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier, B

Crux Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Seckford Agencies, 01206 231188,www.seckfordagencies.co.uk

Viña Doña Paula, Doña Paula Estate

Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Codorniu UK, 01892 500 250

Viña Las Perdices , Las Perdices Fume

Blanc, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected] orwww.lasperdices.com

Viña Las Perdices , Las Perdices

Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected] orwww.lasperdices.com

Torrontés

Andean Vineyards, Andean Vineyards

Torrontés, 2008 ▲

Region Catamarca, Calchaqui ValleySupplier Ehrmanns, 020 7418 1817,www.ehrmannswines.co.uk

Bodegas Etchart , Etchart Cafayate


Region Salta, CafayateSupplier Pernod Ricard UK, 020 8538 4484

Bodegas Nieto Senetiner, Nieto

Senetiner Torrontés, 2008 ▲

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Boutinot Ltd, 0161 908 1315, www.boutinot.com

Freixenet Argentina, Viento Sur


Region Salta, CafayateSupplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.freixenet.com.ar

Valle de la Puerta, La Puerta Clásico


Region La Rioja, Famatina ValleySupplier Patriarche Wine Agencies, 020 7381 4016, www.patriarchewines.com

Argento Wine Company, Argento

Reserva Torrontés, 2008 ●

Region Salta, CafayateSupplier Bibendum, 020 7449 4110, www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

Bodega Sur de Los Andes, Sur


Region Salta, CafayateSupplier Oddbins Wholesale, 020 8944 4400

Bodegas Etchart , Etchart Gran

Linaje, 2008 ●


Serrera Wines, Serrera Torrontés,

2008 ●

Region MendozaSupplier None in UK, [email protected] orwww.serrera.com.ar

Other Whites

La Riojana Cooperative, Co-operative

Fairtrade Argentine Torrontés

Chardonnay, 2008 ▲

Region La Rioja, Famatina ValleySupplier Larex Europe, 01865 765 420,[email protected]

Argento Wine Company, Argento Pinot

Grigio Cool Climate, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Rivadavia & Uco ValleySupplier Bibendum, 020 7449 4110,www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

Bodega Escorihuela Gascón,

Escorihuela Gascón Viognier, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier PLB, 01342 336 534, www.plb.co.uk

Bodega y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca,

Lorca Poetico Viognier, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, Vista FloresSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442, www.lasbodegas.co.uk


▲ Value ● Mid Range ◆ Premium ★ Super Premium

Familia Zuccardi, Zuccardi Serie A

Chardonnay - Viognier, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley & Santa RosaSupplier Alliance Wines, 01505 506 245,www.alliancewine.co.uk

Finca La Celia, La Celia Reserva

Chardonnay - Viognier, 2008 ●


Viniterra, Viniterra Pinot Grigio, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier New Generation Wines, 01233 656 787,www.newgenerationwines.com

Bodega Luigi Bosca , Luigi Bosca

Reserva Riesling, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, La PuntillaSupplier H+H Bancroft, 020 7232 5440, www.bancroftwines.com

Viña Doña Paula , Doña Paula Series

Viognier, 2008 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, UgartecheSupplier Codorniu UK, 01892 500 250

ROSE

Bodega Atamisque, Atamisque

Rose, 2008 ●

Supplier None in UK, [email protected] orwww.atamisque.com

Melipal, Melipal Rosé, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier Folly Wines, 01453 731 509,[email protected]

REDS

Blends

Gouguenheim Winery, Momentos

Bonarda-Syrah, 2007 ▲

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442,www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Benvenuto de la Serna, Benvenuto de

la Serna Blend, 2006 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, Vista FloresSupplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.benvenutodelaserna.com

Bodega Monteviejo, Petit Fleur,

2006 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Friarwood, 020 7736 2628, www.friarwood.com

Bodega Salentein, Salentein Trivitis,

2005 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier D&D Wines, 01565 650 952, www.ddwinesint.com

Bodegas Etchart , Etchart Arnaldo B,

2005 ●


Bodegas Santa Ana, Santa Ana

Reserve Malbec - Shiraz, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Maipú, Cruz de Piedra Supplier Enotria, 020 8963 4809, www.enotria.co.uk

Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier,

Urban Uco Blend, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Seckford Agencies, 01206 231188,www.seckfordagencies.co.uk

Dominio del Plata Winery, Crios de

Susana Balbo Syrah/Bonarda, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Uco ValleySupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442, www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Finca Flichman, Expresiones Malbec-

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley & MaipuSupplier Stevens Garnier, 01865 263 300,www.stevensgarnier.co.uk

Finca Flichman, Paisaje de Tupungato,

2006 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Stevens Garnier, 01865 263 300,www.stevensgarnier.co.uk

Alta Vista, Alta Vista Atemporal

Blend, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier Cockburn & Campbell, 01234 279 241

Bodega del Fin del Mundo - Patagonia,

Fin del Mundo Gran Reserva, 2006 ◆

Region Patagonia, NeuquenSupplier, 10 International, 01372 454 910, www.10international.com


La Poderosa Reserva, 2006 ◆

Region Patagonia, Neuquen,Supplier 10 International, 01372 454 910, www.10international.com

Bodega Diamandes, Diamandes Gran

Reserva, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier None in UK, [email protected]

Bodega Escorihuela Gascón, Miguel

Escorihuela Gascón, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier PLB, 01342 336 534, www.plb.co.uk

Bodega Luigi Bosca, Gala 2 - Luigi

Bosca, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de CuyoSupplier, H+H Bancroft, 020 7232 5440, www.bancroftwines.com

Bodega Salentein, Salentein Numina

Gran Corte, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, Supplier D&D Wines, 01565 650 952, www.ddwinesint.com

Bodega y Viñedos Renacer, Enamore,

2007 ◆

Region MendozaSupplier Liberty Wines, 020 7819 0321, www.libertywine.co.uk

Bodegas Santa Ana, Unánime,

2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Enotria, 020 8963 4809,www.enotria.co.uk

Bodegas y Viñedos Huarpe,

Guayquil, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Agrelo, Supplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.huarpewines.com

Clos de Chacras, Gran Estirpe, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Andean Wine, 01285 721 067,[email protected]

Familia Cassone, Obra Prima Gran

Reserva, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de CuyoSupplier Justernini & Brooks, 020 7484 6400,www.justerinis.com

Finca La Celia, La Celia Elite Malbec -

Petit Verdot, 2006 ◆


Michel Torino Estate, Ciclos Malbec

Merlot, 2006 ◆

Region Salta, CafayateSupplier Hallgarten, 01582 722 538,www.hallgarten.co.uk

Monte Quieto, Quieto, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.montequieto.com.ar

Monte Quieto, Quieto, 2006 ◆


Monte Quieto , Quieto Reserva,

2005 ◆


Rutini Wines, Felipe Rutini Encuentro,

2004 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Anthony Byrne Fine Wines, 01487 814 555, www.abfw.co.uk

Argentina


Valle de la Puerta, La Puerta Gran

Reserva, 2006 ◆

Region La Rioja, Famatina ValleySupplier Patriarche Wine Agencies, 020 7381 4016, www.patriarchewines.com

Viña Amalia, Carlos Basso - Signature

Blend, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Pampas Wines, 01438 712 753, www.pampaswines.com


Reserva Don Juan, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.lasperdices.com

Bodega Norton, Norton Perdriel Single

Vineyard, 2005 ★


Bodegas y Viñedos Pascual Toso,

Magdalena Toso, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Maipú, BarrancasSupplier Stratfords Wine Agencies, 01628 810 606www.stratfordwine.co.uk

Bodegas y Viñedos Pascual Toso,

Pascual Toso Finca Pedregal, 2005 ★


Mendel, Mendel Unus, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Luján de CuyoSupplier Prestige Agencies, 01845 526 888,www.prestigeagencies.co.uk

Navarro Correas, Navarro Correas

Structura, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Percy Fox, 01279 756 298, www.percyfox.co.uk


Tinamú, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.lasperdices.com

Bonarda


Senetiner Bonarda, 2006 ▲

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier Boutinot, 0161 908 1315, www.boutinot.com

Familia Zuccardi, Zuccardi Serie A

Bonarda, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Santa RosaSupplier Alliance Wines, 01505 506 245,www.alliancewine.co.uk

Bodegas Nieto Senetiner, Limited

Edition Bonarda, 2006 ▲


Cabinet Sauvignon


Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 ▲

Region Mendoza, Supplier Ehrmanns, 020 7418 1817,www.ehrmannswines.co.uk

Casa Montes Bodega & Viñedos,Ampakama

Intenso Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 ▲

Region San Juan, Tulum ValleySupplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.casamontes.com.ar

Bodega Septima , Septima Cabernet, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Agrelo Supplier Codorniu UK, 01892 500 250

Bodega Septima , Septimo Dia

Cabernet, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley & Luján de CuyoSupplier Codorniu UK, 01892 500 250

Bodegas Etchart , Ayres de Cafayate

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 ●


Domaine Vistalba, Viñalba Reserva

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, VistalbaSupplier Buckingham - Schenk, 01753 521 336

Finca El Origen, Finca El Origen

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Crush Wines, 01249 811 737,www.crush-wines.com

Kaiken, Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 ●


Michel Torino Estate, Don David

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, 2007 ●

Region Salta, CafayateSupplier Hallgarten, 01582 722 538, www.hallgarten.co.uk


Fin del Mundo Reserva Cabernet

Sauvignon, 2006 ◆

Region Patagonia, NeuquenSupplier 10 International, 01372 454 910, www.10international.com

Bodega François Lurton,

Gran Lurton, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, Vista FloresSupplier Robersons, 020 7371 2121, www.robersonwinemerchant.co.uk

Bodega Luigi Bosca , Luigi Bosca

Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, MaipúSupplier H+H Bancroft, 020 7232 5440, www.bancroftwines.com

Bodega Sottano, Sottano Reserva

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, PerdrielSupplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.bodegasottano.com

Clos de Chacras, Cavas de Crianza

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 ◆


Eral Bravo, Eral Bravo ‘Erales’ Cabernet

Sauvignon, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442,www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Familia Zuccardi, Zuccardi Q Cabernet

Sauvignon, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Alliance Wines, 01505 506 245,www.alliancewine.co.uk

Trapiche, Trapiche Medalla, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Maipú, Cruz de PiedraSupplier Barwell Jones Wines, 020 7922 1610, www.hbjwines.co.uk

Viña Alicia, Paso de Piedra Cabernet

Sauvignon Reserva, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, LunluntaSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442,www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Malbec


Malbec, 2007 ▲

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Ehrmanns, 020 7418 1817,www.ehrmannswines.co.uk

Andeluna Cellars, Andeluna Malbec,

2007 ▲

Region Mendoza, TupungatoSupplier Novum Wines, 020 7820 6720,www.novumwines.com

Bodega Cruz de Piedra , Tiasta Roble

Malbec, 2007 ▲

Region Mendoza, Maipu, Cruz de Piedra Supplier None in UK, [email protected]


Senetiner Malbec, 2007 ▲


Award Winners


▲ Value ● Mid Range ◆ Premium ★ Super Premium

Vinorum , Vinorum Brandsen

Reserve , 2006 ▲

Region MendozaSupplier None in UK, [email protected]

Vitis dei , Los Nevados Malbec, 2007 ▲

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected]

Andean Vineyards, Finca la Escondida

Reserva Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo Supplier Ehrmanns, 020 7418 1817,www.ehrmannswines.co.uk

Argento Wine Company, Argento

Malbec, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo & Uco Valley Supplier Bibendum, 020 7449 4110, www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

Bodega Antigal, Cavia Reserva Malbec,

2006 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier None in UK, [email protected] or bodegaantigal.com

Bodega Catena Zapata, Alamos

Malbec, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier Bibendum, 020 7449 4110,www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

Bodega Catena Zapata,

Alamos Seleccion Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Bibendum, 020 7449 4110, www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

Bodega Catena Zapata, Catena

Malbec, 2006 ●

Region MendozaSupplier Bibendum, 020 7449 4110, www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

Bodega Escorihuela Gascón,

Escorihuela Gascón Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza Lujan de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier PLB, 01342 336 534, www.plb.co.uk

Bodega Norton, Norton Reserva

Malbec, 2006 ●


Bodega Ruca Malen, Yauquén Malbec,

2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Corney&Barrow, 020 7265 2400, www.corneyandbarrow.com

Bodega Salentein, El Portillo Malbec,

2008 ●


Bodega Salentein, Salentein Reserve

Malbec, 2007 ●


Bodega Septima , Septima Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier Codorniu UK, 01892 500 250

Bodega Septima , Septimo Dia Malbec,

2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley & Luján de CuyoSupplier Codorniu UK, 01892 500 250

Bodega y Viñedos Renacer, Punto

Final Clásico, 2007 ●

Region MendozaSupplier Liberty Wines, 020 7819 0321, www.libertywine.co.uk

Bodega y Viñedos Renacer, Punto Final

Reserva, 2006 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier Liberty Wines, 020 7819 0321, www.libertywine.co.uk

Bodegas Nieto Senetiner, Don

Nicanor Malbec, 2007 ●


Bodegas Santa Ana, Casa de Campo

Malbec Reserve, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Maipú, Cruz de PiedraSupplier Enotria, 020 8963 4809, www.enotria.co.uk

Bodegas Santa Ana, La Mascota

Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Maipú, Cruz de PiedraSupplier Enotria, 020 8963 4809, www.enotria.co.uk

Bodegas y Viñedos Santos J. Carelli ,

Carla Chiaro Red, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Amathus Wines, 020 8808 4181,www.amathuswines.co.uk

Carinae , Reserva Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo & MaipuSupplier Stone, Vine & Sun, 01962 712 351,www.stonevine.co.uk

Chakana Wines, Chakana Reserve

Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier JE Fells, 01442 870 900, www.fells.co.uk

Domaine Jean Bousquet, Domaine

Jean Bousquet Malbec Reserva,

2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Vintage Roots, 0800 980 4992,www.vintageroots.co.uk

Domaine Vistalba, Fabre Montmayou

Malbec Reserva, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, VistalbaSupplier Vinothentic, 020 7354 1994, www.vinothentic.com

Domaine Vistalba, Viñalba Reserva

Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, VistalbaSupplier Buckingham – Schenk, 01753 521 336

Familia Marguery, Casa Marguery


Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier HispaMerchants, 020 8740 4556,www.hispamerchants.com

Filus, Filus Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Alto MedranoSupplier Waverley TBS, 01442 293 000,www.waverleytbs.co.uk

Finca Decero, Decero Malbec,

Remolinos Vineyard, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier Berkmann Wine Cellars, 020 7609 4711,www.berkmann.co.uk

Finca Don Carlos , Calathus Malbec

Roble, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Pampas Wines, 01438 712 753,www.pampaswines.com

Finca Don Otaviano, Penedo Borges


Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cujo, Alto AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected] www.fincadonotaviano.com.ar

Finca El Origen , Finca El Origen Malbec

Reserva, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Crush Wines, 01249 811 737,www.crush-wines.com

Kaiken, Kaiken Malbec, 2007 ●


Michel Torino Estate, Michel Torino

Cuma Malbec Organic, 2008 ●

Region Salta, CafayateSupplier Hallgarten, 01582 722 538, www.hallgarten.co.uk


Select Malbec Reserva, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Lujan de CuyoSupplier Concha y Toro UK, 01865 338 013, [email protected]

Viña Amalia, Viña Amalia Malbec, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValeySupplier Pampas Wines, 01438 712 753, www.pampaswines.com

Argentina


Vinorum, Vinorum Malbec Premium, 2005 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected]

Zorzal, Zorzal Malbec, 2008 ●


Andeluna Cellars, Grand Reserve

Malbec, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo & Uco Valley, Supplier Novum Wines, 020 7820 6720www.novumwines.com

Belasco de Baquedano , Arguentota, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de CuyoSupplier None in UK, [email protected], www.belascomalbec.com

Belasco de Baquedano , Swinto, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected], www.belascomalbec.com

Bodega Antigal, Malbec Antigal, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier None in UK, [email protected], bodegaantigal.com

Bodega Catena Zapata, Catena Viñas

Angelica Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Maipú, LunluntaSupplier Bibendum, 020 7449 4110, www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

Bodega Colomé, Colomé Malbec

Estate, 2007 ◆

Region Catamarca, Calchaquí Valley, Colomé Supplier Enotria, 020 8963 4809, www.enotria.co.uk

Bodega Corvus , Ala Negra Reserva, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Maipú, Lunlunta, Supplier None in UK, [email protected], www.cepasdelunlunta.com.ar

Bodega Dante Robino, Gran Dante

Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Supplier Whittaker Wines, 07802 925 136

Bodega del Desierto, Desierto Pampa

Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Patagonia, La PampaSupplier None in UK, [email protected] www.bodegadeldesierto.com.ar


Fin del Mundo Reserva Malbec, 2007 ◆

Region Patagonia, NeuquenSupplier 10 International, 01372 454 910, www.10international.com

Bodega Foster, Foster Edicion

Limitada Malbec, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Mayor DrummondSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442, www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Bodega Foster, Foster Reserva

Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Mayor DrummondSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442, www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Bodega Monteviejo, Lindaflor, 2004 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Friarwood, 020 7736 2628 www.friarwood.com

Bodega Norton, Norton Privada

Malbec, 2006 ◆


Bodega Sottano, Sottano Reserva

Malbec, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Perdriel, Supplier None in UK, [email protected], www.bodegasottano.com

Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier,

Alfa Crux Malbec, 2004 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley Supplier Seckford Agencies, 01206 231188www.seckfordagencies.co.uk

Bodegas y Viñedos Pascual Toso, Pascual

Toso Alta Reserva Malbec, 2007 ◆



Malbec, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Andean Wine, 01285 721 [email protected]

Clos de Chacras, Clos de Chacras

Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Andean Wine, 01285 721 [email protected]

Clos de Chacras, Gran Estirpe, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Maipú, LunluntaSupplier Andean Wine, 01285 721 [email protected]

Familia Zuccardi, Zuccardi Q Malbec,

2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier Alliance Wines, 01505 506 245www.alliancewine.co.uk

Finca Don Otaviano, Penedo Borges

Malbec Gran Reserva, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cujo, Alto AgreloSupplier None in UK, [email protected]

Finca La Celia, La Celia Heritage

Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, San CarlosSupplier Les Grand Chais de France, 01962 622 067 www.lgcf.com

Gimenez Riili, Gimenez Riili Reserve,

2007 ◆


Humberto Canale Winery, Humberto

Canale Gran Reserva Malbec, 2007 ◆

Region Patagonia, Rio NegroSupplier HWCG, 01279 873 500,www.hwcg.co.uk

Kaiken , Kaiken Ultra Malbec, 2006 ◆


Melipal, Melipal Reserve Malbec,

2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier Folly Wines, 01453 731509, [email protected]

NQN Patagonia, Malma Reserve, 2006 ◆

Region Patagonia, NeuquenSupplier HispaMerchants, 020 8740 4556www.hispamerchants.com

Trapiche, Trapiche Finca Las Palmas

Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Barwell Jones Wines, 020 7922 1610, www.hbjwines.co.uk

Trapiche, Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard

Viña Adriana Venturín, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Barwell Jones Wines, 020 7922 1610, www.hbjwines.co.uk

Viña Alicia, Paso de Piedra Malbec

Reserva, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Las CompuertasSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442, www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Viña Cobos, Bramare Luján de Cuyo

Malbec, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, PerdrielSupplier Alliance Wine, 01505 506 245www.alliancewine.co.uk

Viña Cobos, Felino Malbec, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, PerdrielSupplier Alliance Wine, 01505 506 245www.alliancewine.co.uk

Viñas del Adagio , Adagio Premium

Malbec, 2004 ◆

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, PerdrielSupplier None in UK, [email protected]

Award Winners


Argentina▲ Value ● Mid Range ◆ Premium ★ Super Premium

Bodega Antigal, Antigal 1, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier None in UK, [email protected] or bodegaantigal.com

Bodega François Lurton, Chacayas, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, Vista FloresSupplier Robersons, 020 7371 2121, www.robersonwinemerchant.co.uk

Bodega Viña 1924 de Angeles, Gran

Malbec de Angeles , 2007 ★

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, VistalbaSupplier None in UK, 0054 9261 5155616, www.malbecdeangeles.com

Bodega Vistalba, Vistalba Corte A, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, VistalbaSupplier Great Western Wine, 01225 322808, www.greatwesternwine.co.uk

Bodega y Viñedos Renacer, Renacer, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo & Uco ValleySupplier Liberty Wines, 020 7819 0321, www.libertywine.co.uk

Bodegas y Viñedos Santos J. Carelli ,

Gran Malbec Carelli, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Amathus Wines, 020 8808 4181www.amathuswines.co.uk

Casa Vinicola Reyter, F, 2008 ★

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, AltamiraSupplier None in UK, [email protected] www.bodegareyter.com.ar

Rutini Wines, Antologia XXII, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Anthony Byrne Fine Wines, 01487 814 555, www.abfw.co.uk

Serrera Wines, Serrera Gran Guarda, 2006 ★

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, LunluntaSupplier None in UK, [email protected] orwww.serrera.com.ar

Serrera Wines, Serrera Gran Guarda, 2005 ★

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, LunluntaSupplier None in UK, [email protected] orwww.serrera.com.ar

Merlot

La Riojana Cooperative, Viñedos de La

Posada Fairtrade Organic Merlot, 2008 ▲

Region La Rioja, Famatina ValleySupplier Larex Europe, 01865 765 420,[email protected]

Don Manuel Villafañe, Antis, 2006 ●

Region Mendoza, Maipú Supplier None in UK, [email protected]

Bodega del Fin del Mundo – Patagonia,

Fin del Mundo Reserva Merlot, 2006 ◆

Region Patagonia, NeuquenSupplier 10 International, 01372 454 910,

www.10international.com


Merlot, 2006 ◆


Syrah – Shiraz


Shiraz, 2007 ▲

Region San JuanSupplier Ehrmanns, 020 7418 1817,www.ehrmannswines.co.uk

Bodega Ruca Malen, Ruca Malen Syrah, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier Corney&Barrow, 020 7265 2400, www.corneyandbarrow.com

Cavas del 23 , Beviam, 2006 ●

Region Mendoza, San MartinSupplier Neil Kite, 01905 28434, [email protected]

Cellarworld Argentina, Mayu, 2006 ●

Region San Juan, Zonda ValleySupplier Cellarworld International, 01252 703 857, www.cellarworld.co.uk

Finca Decero, Decero Syrah, Remolinos

Vineyard, 2006 ●

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier Berkmann Wine Cellars, 020 7609 4711,www.berkmann.co.uk

Bodega del Desierto, Desierto Pampa

Syrah, 2006 ◆

Region Patagonia, La PampaSupplier None in UK, [email protected] or www.bodegadeldesierto.com.ar


Golden Reserve Syrah, 2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Concha y Toro UK, 01865 338 013, [email protected]

Other Reds

Bodega y Viñedos Crotta, Bodega

Crotta Tempranillo, 2005 ▲

Region MendozaSupplier None in UK, [email protected] orwww.crotta.com.ar

Bodega Ruca Malen, Ruca Malen Petit

Verdot, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, AgreloSupplier Corney&Barrow, 020 7265 2400, www.corneyandbarrow.com

Bodegas Santa Ana, Moebius

Tempranillo, 2007 ●

Region Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo & Ugarteche Supplier Enotria, 020 8963 4809,www.enotria.co.uk

Finca Las Moras, Las Moras Tannat

Reserve, 2006 ●

Region San Juan, Tulum ValleySupplier Chalié Richards, 0845 850 4405,www.chalie-richards.co.uk

Andeluna Cellars, Grand Reserve

Cabernet Franc, 2005 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, TupungatoSupplier Novum Wines, 020 7820 6720,www.novumwines.com

Bodega y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca, Gran

Lorca Poetico Petit Verdot, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, Vista FloresSupplier Las Bodegas, 01435 874 442, www.lasbodegas.co.uk

Familia Zuccardi, Zuccardi Q Tempranillo,

2006 ◆

Region Mendoza, Santa RosaSupplier Alliance Wines, 01505 506 245,www.alliancewine.co.uk

Finca La Celia, La Celia Heritage

Cabernet Franc, 2006 ◆


Humberto Canale Winery, Humberto

Canale Gran Reserva Pinot Noir, 2007 ◆

Region Patagonia, Rio NegroSupplier HWCG, 01279 873 500, www.hwcg.co.uk

DESSERT WINES


Brisa de Otoño, 2008 ●

Region Mendoza, Uco ValleySupplier Concha y Toro UK, 01865 338 013, [email protected]

Familia Marguery, Historias Passito

de Los Andes, 2007 ◆

Region Mendoza, San MartinSupplier HispaMerchants, 020 8740 4556, www.hispamerchants.com

Finca La Celia, La Celia Late Harvest, 2008 ◆

Region Mendoza, Uco Valley, San CarlosSupplier Les Grand Chais de France, 01962 622 067 www.lgcf.com

Valentin Bianchi , Famiglia Bianchi

Late Harvest Semillón, 2004 ◆

Region Mendoza, San RafaelSupplier Liberty Wines, 020 7819 0321, www.libertywine.co.uk

Familia Marguery, Historias Passito de

Los Andes Reserva, 2007 ★

Region Mendoza, San MartinSupplier HispaMerchants, 020 8740 4556www.hispamerchants.com

Award Winners

To see Bronze medal winners go to

www.winesofargentina.com.ar/awa

ArgentinaWine Supplement

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