Exciting night of Argentine Tango and Wine!

When you think of Sauvignon Blanc wine, do you think of Tango and Argentina?

Most people think about the traditional Argentina varieties like Malbec, and its white variety counterpart, Torrontes.

Recently I attended a Wine Soiree hosted by Wines of Argentina and the General Argentine Consulate of New York.

The purpose of the evening was to showcase the incredible quality of wine coming from Argentina and its venture into exciting new varieties, like Marsanne, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon while still perfecting its traditional Malbec.

#MakingWineHistory

Sommelier Carrie Lyn Strong introduced each wine in the tasting that follows, with invited guests offering commentary on food pairing and quality.

To reinforce the “Argentine” message, guests witnessed a lively tango ensemble between flights of wine.

Tapiz Sparkling Wine Torrontes

The kickoff began with the Tapiz Sparkling Wine Torrontes, a delicious sparkler from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza made from 100% Torrontes. Delicious floral aroma and perception of sweetness though the wine is dry.

Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Enticing aromas of fresh orchard fruit leads the way to this crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Great pairing for fish and salad.

Geisha De Jade 2020

Argentina revisits the traditional Marsanne and Roussanne grapes of France in this seductive blend (50% each). The wine is aged for 12 months in oak and is a delicious surprise.

Susana Balbo Signature Brioso White Blend 2019

The signature Argentine Torrontes grape (25%) is blended with 40% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc in this tasty blend.

Alpamanta Breva Pet Nat Criolla 2020

Criolla is the name of a grape. This organic and biodynamic sparkling wine is 100% Criolla. A refreshing burst of flavor on a hot summer day.

 Proyecto Las Compuertas Malbec 5 Suelos – Durigutti Family Winemakers 2019

100% Malbec this wine ages 8 months in concrete eggs.

Escorihuela 1884 Single Vineyard Organic Grapes 2019

This 100% Malbec wine comes from a single vineyard from one of the oldest producers in Argentina. Taste history.

Colome Autentico Malbec from Bodega Colome 2018

This wine comes from the Salta region of Argentina. It’s refreshing acidity reflects the high-altitude vines.

Terrazas de Los Andes Grand Malbec 2017

This 100% Malbec is from one of the most prestigious houses in the Uco Valley, Argentina. Delicious.

Casarena Lauren’s Single Vineyard 2017

This 100% Cabernet Franc wine is unusual for Argentina. It is a delicious treat with 12 months aging in French oak barrels.

Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon Vina Cobos 2016

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine is ages 18 months in new French oak. Tasty treat from the prestigious region of Lujan de Cuyo in Mendoza.

Dona Paula Seleccion de Bodega Malbec 2018

What a fantastic wine. Made from 100% Malbec, they age the wine In French oak barrels for 20 months.

Antes Andes Valles Calchaquies 2018

This 100% Malbec wine ages 13 months in French oak, from the high-altitude region of Salta.

In Conclusion

What a great way to introduce wine and culture – with delicious Argentine wine, Empanadas, and Tango

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Bodega Norton Malbec is one of the iconic wines of the Mendoza (Argentina) region. Forbes.com covered this dynamic winery recently. 

One key reason is that Bodega Norton is the oldest “modern” winery in Mendoza.

Though Bodega Norton produces wine from mostly Bordeaux variety red grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec) in many ways Bodega Norton Malbec can be considered the signature wine.

Argentine Malbec

Do you remember your first taste of Malbec wine from Argentina? 

I remember mine.

Perhaps it was the dark, intense, purple color that attracted my eye. 

Then, once in the glass, I could detect the rich concentrated scent of ripe intense plum.

On the palate, the sumptuous mouthfeel and the velvet texture of the wine rendered it so tantalizing I felt compelled to take a second sip.

In contrast, the traditional Malbec wine of its ancestral home in Cahors, France, typically has lower alcohol and less plush tannin (link).

2006: The Year of Bodega Norton Malbec

2006 marks the year that Bodega Norton Malbec, Malbec from other producers, and Bodega Norton’s Bordeaux style red blends became widely popular in the US Market.

Whether consumers responded to Malbec’s  rich, ripe concentration of flavor, the whisper of vanilla and toast from French oak, or the affordable (around $15 –  20 price) Argentine Malbec was a quick hit.

Visiting Mendoza, Argentina 

One doesn’t need to visit Mendoza to appreciate Malbec.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”One doesn’t need to visit Mendoza to appreciate Malbec.”]

But the visit will help explain to you just how the climate, terroir, and proximity of the Andes Mountains contribute to the wine’s concentration of flavor.

Tasting Bodega Norton Malbec in Mendoza

In 2010, I had the good fortune to visit Mendoza and taste Bodega Norton Malbec.

Before my visit, I carefully studied the reasons for Bodega Norton’s English sounding name.

I also saw that wine critics regularly gave Bodega Norton Malbec and their red blends top scores.

History of Bodega Norton

The winery takes its name from English engineer Edmund J. P. Norton.

Entranced by the beauty of Argentina, Mr. Norton imported Malbec vines from France and planted them in Mendoza.    

The Gernot Langes-Sworovski Era

Almost 100 years later, Austrian businessman Gernot Langes–Swarovski also responded to the beauty of Mendoza. 

He purchased Bodega Norton in 1989.

Mr. Langes–Swarovski’s strongest desire was to produce wines that would achieve fame and critical praise for their high quality. For this endeavor, he would spare no expense.

Today the Norton vineyards, managed by Mr. Langes–Swarovski’s son Michael, have over 680 hectares under vine.

Besides supplying the world with fine wine, the vineyards support the workers and families all over Mendoza.

Norton Chief Winemaker David Bonomi

Many Argentine winemakers are “imported” from France or other countries.

Norton Chief Winemaker David Bonomi grew up in Argentina surrounded by vines, as his father had his own vineyards.

In 2017, Decanter magazine included David Bonomi in its list of the Top 10 Best Winemakers in South America.

Bodega Norton David Bonomi in Manhattan

Recently David Bonomi traveled to Manhattan to host a vertical wine tasting of the signature wine called Gernot Langes.

Most wine writers associate Bodega Norton with red wines. So Mr. Bonomi surprised us by presenting the new Norton sparkling wine, called 101 Bubbles, produced from the Gruner Veltliner grape variety.

Argentina: Range of Altitudes

One characteristic that separates Argentina from other winemaking regions in S. America is its range of altitudes.

The Gruner Veltliner grapes, grown at extremely high altitudes, gave this wine racy high acidity.

Premium Red Wines

Two premium red wines followed. The first was the 2018 Reserva Malbec, aged in 100% new French oak.

This delicious wine punched above its weight with zesty acidity, smooth tannins, and rich black fruit.Next up was the Privada Family Blend 2016, a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot–aged in French oak

Until recently, the Swarovski family reserved this wine for their own personal consumption.Now this blended wine is available for everyone to taste and purchase.

The Vertical Tasting Comprising 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2008, and 2006

The vertical tasting included blended wines made from Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Exact percentages can vary with the vintages.

The wines were all aged in 100% new French oak for 18 months, with all vintages displaying finely integrated tannins.

Each vintage offered ripe black fruit, zesty acidity, and tannins that ranged in texture from velvet in 2006 to powdery in 2015.

Visiting Norton Winery Mendoza

During normal times, you can visit the Norton Winery in Mendoza and make a day of it.

Bodega Norton Mendoza offers an assortment of tours and special events like blending classes, cooking classes, and visits to the vineyard. You can even arrange for a scenic picnic on the property.

Guests can also bicycle along the vines, go on a “photography safari,” or just relax and gaze out at the beauty of the Andes mountains at the La Vid Restaurant.

VIP guests (you can become one, just ask) can make a reservation for an exclusive tasting of the winery’s most iconic wines in the cellar.

Traveling to Mendoza

The city of Mendoza is about an hour from the international airport. 

Americans can travel in a variety of different ways, with some flights from JFK offering direct flights. 

Most flights connect through Chile. This is a brilliant choice if you plan on visiting other wine regions in Chile (the flight between the two countries is just about an hour).

If you do visit Chile, the Montes Winery is a must. 

A Special Note

If you do not plan to visit vineyards in Chile, try to avoid a connection through Chile. 

The airport is modern and beautiful. Yet the non-stop lines and various screening checkpoints for agriculture and livestock can take an hour or more.

The post ?5 Super Tasty Ways to Enjoy Bodega Norton You’ll Love appeared first on AWINESTORY.COM.

French Malbec wine can trace its origins back to the days of the Roman Empire.

Roman soldiers planted vineyards as they built roads in what we now know as Southwest France. Impressed by the dark color and intense tannins of the resulting Malbec wine, they referred to it as the “Black Wine of Cahors.”

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Black wine of Cahors”]

2014: French Malbec Journey

My French Malbec discovery dates back to 2014, when I took part in the program focused on exploring the rich history of this classic Old World region and its wine (This Forbes.com article discusses it in more depth).

Cahors: The Original French Malbec Wine

Cahors is a small town in southwestern France, located 100 miles east of Bordeaux. Producers export about a third of the 20 million bottles produced. Little known in America, Cahors has an extensive political, cultural, and financial history outside of wine.

French Malbec quickly became fashionable in 1152, when servers poured it at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry of Anjou.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Wedding wine of French Malbec started a trend.”]

Wedding guests loved the inky black color and savory flavor of French Malbec. Positive word-of-mouth soon saw French Malbec become a fashion. Much like the way former First Lady Nancy Reagan’s love of Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay popularized that wine.  

Cahors: A Financial Center

Because of its strategic location in France and proximity to the Lot River, Cahors became a key financial center in the 13^th century. Sophisticated people, many of them financiers, flooded to this town from all over Europe.

The high-end financial activity set the tone for chefs to establish gourmet restaurants. Drawn to this new gastronomic mecca, visitors also received their first taste of French Malbec wine.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Cahors Wine and delicious cusine.”]

Wines of Cahors became exported to palaces in Russia and throughout Europe.   

The Catastrophes

Then came a series of catastrophes (wars, pests, frost) and market changes that catapulted French Malbec to a neglected area of the world’s wine stage.

Cahors Malbec Wine Today

In 1971 Cahors achieved its Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) designation.

The new AOC, combined with understandable envy of the success of Malbec in Argentina, invigorated producers to put a new emphasis on quality.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”New emphasis on quality.”]

The shift to quality started with improved viticultural practices. In the winery, this takes the form of longer maturation and better-quality French oak.

New Emphasis on French Malbec Terroir

The Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Pyrenees mountain range frame the French Malbec vineyards. Producers base terroir on geology, depth of soil, site altitude, proximity to the Lot river, and slope on the terrain.

For simplicity, producers group vineyards into three key categories: The vallée, the coteaux, and the limestone plateau.

The popular style of reasonably priced fresh and fruity wines mostly come from the vallée and coteaux. Experts divide it into three terraces. 

Closest to the Lot River has more alluvial soils. The second has both clay and limestone soils. The third terrace boasts gravel, limestone, and clay.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Popular style of fresh wine from the valley.”]

Higher quality wines, capable of long maturation in bottle, come from the limestone plateau. Towering over the valley at almost 1000 feet, the temperature shifts in the French Malbec vineyards between day and night – combined with slower ripening – produce wines of great complexity.

French Malbec: 2014 Visit

During my 2014 visit, I tasted several Cahors Malbec-based wines. By AOC law, a bottle of wine must contain at least 70% Malbec, with Merlot and Tannat rounding out the rest in varying proportions.

As you might imagine, each Cahors Malbec wine had a different flavor profile depending on the terroir where it grows, its blending partners, and the type and amount of oak used in its maturation.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”French oak used in maturation.”]

Cahors producers are partial to French oak, with the best French Malbec vineyards in the limestone plateau receiving the highest percentage of French oak during a more extended maceration.

As a general rule, wines blended with Merlot had a smoother mouthfeel. Malbec blended with Tannat could be tannic when young, though long aging in French oak can result in a delicious wine in five or ten years’ time.

French Malbec

French Malbec: The Soil Pits

Many of the more prestigious Cahors producers are digging “soil pits” to better understand the nutritional and other needs of the grapevines.

During my visit, I stepped inside a soil pit prepared by soil experts Claude and Lydia Bourguignon. Soil pits are important for several reasons.

One primary reason is that knowing the soil composition helps producers harvest at the optimum time.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Soil pits help decide when to harvest.”]

Choosing the most precise moment to pick the grapes is one of the primary considerations in the production of a high-quality wine.

French Malbec Wine vs Argentinian Malbec

In Cahors, producers consider French Malbec vines planted on higher terraces superior. Altitude helps the grapes achieve nuanced aromatics and freshness that translates into the wine’s acidity.

Similarly, many consider the best Argentinian Malbec to be in the higher-elevation Uco Valley, about an hour from Mendoza.

Cahors vs. Argentina: The Expression of the Malbec Grape

Malbec, like virtually all other wine grapes, takes its expression of flavor from its region of origin. Both Cahors and Mendoza (the major regions for Malbec production) can offer vineyards with high altitudes (helping preserve freshness and acidity).

Yet when compared side by side, the differences between wines from the two key regions are a bit more obvious.

1. Argentinian wine usually has higher alcohol and more jammy, fruit-driven aromas and flavors because of the intense summer sun.

2. In Argentina, Malbec exists in bottle as a single grape variety. Though you can find 100% Malbec wines from Cahors, most producers blend with a combination of Merlot and/or Tannat.

3. Malbec wines from Argentina typically have plush, velvet, “softer” tannins. This can loosely translate to the “smooth” mouthfeel and texture of the wine as it goes down your throat.

In contrast, some may consider French Malbec wines leaner and more “astringent.” Experts describe an astringent mouthfeel as that sensation you may feel when taking a sip of freshly brewed black tea.

In contrast, some may consider French Malbec wines leaner and more “astringent.” Experts describe an astringent mouthfeel as that sensation you may feel when taking a sip of freshly brewed black tea.

4. Critics characterize most Malbec-based wines from Argentina by rich, jammy ripe black and blue fruit.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Tannins have the sensation of black tea.”]

In contrast, most Cahors producers shy away from the full fruit expression in the wine in favor of a more structured wine with lower alcohol.

The goal is a wine where the fruit, and levels of acidity, all come into a discreet balance.

French Malbec: Why and when?

Cahors Malbec exists as a historic wine with a veil of mystery about it. Take a sip and you will notice firm, structured tannins and a lean elegance to the wine.

Cahors Wine and Food Pairing

Cahors Malbec pairs nicely with main courses and hard cheese. French Malbec with truffles are so delicious that the Cahors region even launched a food festival to celebrate this match.

If you love to drink red wine all year round, try chilling your Cahors Malbec wine and take it to your picnic lunch.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”French Malbec is always appropriate.”]

The vibrant acidity and firm tannins of this wine will pair well with traditional luncheon foods like hamburgers and hot dogs.

And chilled Cahors Malbec is excellent with grilled salmon.

Producer Spotlight: Alain Dominique Perrin of Chateau Lagrézette

Producer Spotlight: Alain Dominique Perrin of Chateau Lagrézette

During my 2014 Cahors visit, I did not have the opportunity to call upon Chateau Lagrézette, owned by Alain Dominique Perrin.

The story of Mr. Perrin’s involvement with Chateau Lagrézette is fascinating.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Mr. Perrin saw potential in a 15th century castle.”]

When Mr. Perrin first saw Chateau Lagrézette, a 15^th century castle, it was love at first sight. It didn’t matter that the castle was in ruins and that its vineyards needed replanting. 

With the fortune he amassed from his business savvy in the luxury goods market, he brought Chateau Lagrézette back to its former medieval glory with a blend of Medieval and Renaissance architecture after purchasing it in 1980.

Aside from its 14^th century façade, this castle possesses two estate vineyards, the Caillac and the Landiech. They are both regarded as the unofficial “Grand Cru” of the appellation.

Michel Rolland Consultant

The winery, now regarded as one of the most superior in Cahors, is headed by Claude Boudamani who serves as the general director / enologist with Michel Rolland acting as consultant. 

Sonia Perrin, Mr. Perrin’s eldest daughter, is increasingly active in the winery. She will release her own French Malbec  wine in 2021, created with Michel Rolland and Lagrézette’s winemaker and technical director, Cedric Blanc.

Proceeds will benefit her philanthropic work in Madagascar. 

Besides producing wine, recently Mr. Perrin announced the addition of Maison Malbec, a luxurious stone villa for visitors to the Cahors area that can sleep twelve.

Final Thoughts

 
Much has changed in the world since my 2014 visit. French Malbec is making strides in the international marketplace.

The Cahors producers often work with Argentinian producers to promote the Malbec grape in a friendly way.

Both French Malbec and Mendoza Malbec are delicious, and each has its place at the table.

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