With a successful attendance, the 15th “Degustación de Oro” (Golden Tasting) was performed on Friday 2nd July at Sheraton Hotel, Mendoza. APEAA (Wine and Food Professionals Association of Argentina) awarded the best winemakers of fifteen high quality wines, which achieved important international awards last year.Fabián Giardino, president of APEAA, presented the event and welcomed the attendees and invited them to enjoy the evening, highlighting the quality of the 15 wines. Afterwards, Alejandra Losano, vice-president of the International Association of Winemakers, emphasized the quality in Argentina, concerning not only wines but also the valuable human and professional team, which is at an excellent level, compared with others winemaking countries.
When the time comes for tasting wines, the winemakers of every tasted wine had the chance to point out some noticeable features, as well as different pairing alternatives.
The tasting opening was in charge of Ricardo González, from Viñedos Corpora Family Estate (Chile), who presented the features of the Sauvignon Blanc 2009. This was the wine chosen by Barack Obama when he was inaugurated as President of the United States. It displays a fruit nose with passion fruit and honey aromas; it pairs well with ceviche, sole and abalone. It is made in Bio Bio, Chile, and in the international market can be found at 30 dollars retail.
Jorge Castro, Graffigna`s winemaker, presented Chardonnay Reserva 2007 Centenario, coming from Pocito (San Juan). It displays and intense yellow color with toast and floral aromas and a gentle and sweet entry in the mouth. It costs 12 dollars retail and pairs very well with pink salmon, according to the winemaker.
The first red wine tasted was Achaval Ferrer Finca El Mirador 2007. Diego Roso, from Bodega Achaval Ferrer, explained that this Malbec comes from an old vineyard in Medrano and around 3 plants are used per bottle, which grants it high concentration and exceptional quality. Only 1,000 cases are produced every year and its retail value is around 110 dollars, being United States its main market.
Zentas Reserve Malbec Familia Masera Giol 2008 was presented by Ricardo Peralta, who highlighted its intense red color, red fruit and cherry liqueur aromas, with a gentle entry and rounded tannins. Peralta advised to pair this wine with locro (a kind of bean stew with pieces of meat) or assorted cheeses. Its retail value is 15 dollars.
Leonardo Manzano, representative of Cooperativa La Riojana, spoke about Raza Argentina Syrah 2008, coming from vineyards located in the Famatina Valley, in La Rioja. It displays an intense red color with blackish core as well as chocolate and tobacco aromas, granted by its oak aging. It pairs well with lamb.
Andrea Ferreyra, from Finca La Celia, presented La Celia Elite Malbec-Tannat 2006. This wine went under malolactic fermentation and was aged 12 months in oak, which grants it an elegant structure with firm tannins. According to Ferreyra, a perfect match is a fillet steak with pepper sauce.
The following tasted wine was Privada 2006 from Norton Winery. Jorge Riccitelli pointed out the importance of the vineyard in this blend, which combines the Malbec`s fruit, the Merlot`s silkiness and the Cabernet Sauvignon`s body. These grape varieties come from vineyards in Lunlunta, Agrelo and Perdriel. This wine is around 30 dollars and pairs well with black hake.
Alegoría Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from Navarro Correas was presented by Silvia López, who shared the details of the careful harvest in the high region of the Uco Valley as well as the oak aging process which grants structure to the wine. López advised to match this wine with kid cooked in a clay oven.
Cadus Malbec 2005, the icon wine from Nieto Senetiner, was presented by the winemaker Roberto González, who explained the meaning of this wine for the winery: Its diamond-shaped label stands for the constant search of the highest quality. The retail price of this line is 45 dollars.
The first wine from Patagonia was Familia Schroeder Pinot Noir-Malbec 2004. Leonardo Pupatto explained that this wine was aged 18 months in barrel and 12 months in bottle. According to the winemaker, this is a distinctive wine that displays exotic aromas and flavors. Besides, it is a good match for lamb ravioli or fried empanadas (small meat pies).
The winemaker Noelia Torres presented Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Viña Cobos. This wine comes from a young vineyard in Perdriel and has been aged for 18 months. Its main market is United States and can be found at 30 dollars retail. It displays aromas of tobacco and red fruits with an interesting aftertaste of black pepper. Considering its strong tannins, Torres advised to match this wine with a rib roast or a selva negra cake (chocolate sponge cake with cream and morello cherries)
The second wine from Patagonia was Special Blend Reserva 2006 from Del Fin Del Mundo. Marcelo Nievas spoke about this blend made of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It was first produced in 2002 and today is the winery`s icon wine. Nievas emphasized how important is for the Patagonia region to be present with two wines in this tasting and he highlighted the big effort made year after year. The retail price of this wine is 45-50 dollars and its main market is United States. Its 15-month aging in oak barrel grants it chocolate and tobacco aromas with strong tannins. According to Nievas, this wine is ideal to match a kid from the north of Neuquén.
Mariano Di Paola spoke about Antología XXI Rutini 2006 from La Rural. Di Paola explained the origin of the wine name: “In the winery we love wines as much as the winemaking process so we are always making wines for our own meetings. One day, a winery`s friend tasted a wine and suggested the name Antología (Anthology). Since then, we started numbering the wines chronologically.”
Andeluna Grand Reserve Pasionado 2004 was presented by Silvio Alberto, who emphasized the importance of the vineyard and the Cabernet Franc as the key variety that grants Pasionado the special touch. This is a blend made of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It displays spiced aromas and pairs very well with rib roast or fried pies. Its retail price is 50 dollars.
At the end of the tasting, Alejandro Vigil from Catena Zapata presented Nicolás Catena Zapata 2006. According to Vigil, this is a blend made of different regions, grape varieties and ideas. Its grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Its retail price is 120 dollars. Vigil added that the purpose of this wine is just that consumers enjoy it. Thus, it can match perfectly well with simple bread with tomato and olive oil.
After the tasting of these spectacular wines, a dinner was carried out at the hotel, giving the chance to talk with the winemakers and taste more high quality wines. It was a pleasant meeting and attendees are probably eagerly waiting for the 16th edition next year.
Written by Gonzalo Merino for Winesur.com
Translation: Ana Tagua
Source: http://www.winesur.com/top-news-2/wine-was-the-luxury-guest-in-a-golden-night
