THE most exciting footballing team of the World Cup so far gives me the ideal opportunity to extol the viticultural virtues of Argentina – one of the most dynamic wine producers on the planet.Chile used to capture most of the South American limelight but just for now Argentina are making the big headlines producing wine very much on a par with Chile, in some respects better.
Malbec is the name to look out for on the label – a juicy red grape for most seasons and in its various guises perhaps sums up the style of the World Cup dark horses – the robustness of a Tevez and the smoothness of a Messi.
A wine winner in its own right – hard to beat when it comes down to the essential factors of quality and price.
Virtually unknown of among consumers only a few years ago, Malbec is of French origin but practically ditched by its Bordeaux birthplace.
The grape is still planted in south-west France to grow the “black” wine of Cahors but Argentina has stepped in to make Malbec its own, sparking the country’s wine revolution.
The Mendoza marvel has not only helped pull Argentina out of various economic turmoils but also made it the world’s fifth largest wine producer with a rapidly improving accent on putting quality above quality.
Black cherry, plummy and damson flavours, often with just a touch of spice, and a strong perfume are the hallmarks, some oaky, others not.
For most Argentinians, Malbec enjoyed with a good steak, as befitting a country renowned for its beef, is a wine-food match made in heaven.
Also rich and smooth enough to go well with a slice or two of chocolate cake!
For a country which has been planting vines for centuries, it is only over the last decade that its wines have taken off – thanks to modern techniques and lower yields to make the best use of natural irrigation – that’s the snow melt from the Andes mountains.
Argentina may not win the 2010 World Cup (though don’t bet against Diego & Co) but by and large its wines can’t lose. As I’ve said before, if you’re looking to match a fair price with quality, these are the ones to look out for on the shelves and most certainly the restaurant list.
Written by The Whitehaven News in the UK.
Source: http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/news/a-world-cup-of-wines-1.724348?referrerPath=news/
