Argentina’s wines have been doing phenomenally well in the US. According to Nielsen market researchers, at a time when sales of wines from most countries have been shrinking, wines from Argentina have been exhibiting double-digit growth.
Most of this growth is due to Malbec, Argentina’s superstar, the darling red varietal of the moment. One of the qualities that endears Malbec to wine lovers is its food friendliness. But, of course, it boasts other important qualities too. As famed wine consultant Michel Rolland explained to Laura Catena, author of Vino Argentino and a member of the esteemed Bodega Catena Zapata family, “[Malbec] is a wine with personality, a wine that can have beautiful black fruit aromatics, complexity, sweet tannins, concentration … all that a great wine should have.”
Torrontes — dry, crisp, floral, fruity and aromatic — is Argentina’s signature white, which complements spicy food especially well. Americans, always interested in something new, are starting to become familiar with it.
Some familiar good-value producers include Trapiche, Norton and Terrazas de los Andes. But I recently discovered another Argentinian producer that offers many inexpensive good-value wines. Santa Julia, one of Argentina’s largest family-owned wineries, ships three main ranges to the US — Santa Julia [+] ($10)*, bottled in 12.5% lighter-weight glass; Santa Julia Organica ($11)*, and Santa Julia Reserva ($13)* — in addition to sparkling wines. The entire estate operates under sustainable agricultural practices, and half of the vineyards are certified organic. Santa Julia prefers to employ people rather than machines whenever possible. And all of its grapes are estate grown and handpicked.
I especially liked Santa Julia’s Brut Rosé ($13), made entirely of Pinot Noir grapes. With aromas and flavors of cherries and strawberries, it’s a soft, creamy wine that complements food very well. It can be served throughout a meal, and it’s good on its own too.
The Reserva Malbec 2009 is a rich, full-flavored wine, with plum, blackberry and black cherry aromas and flavors. The Malbec 2010 [+] is another smart choice. Both are ideal with grilled and barbecued meats.
Santa Julia’s Tardío, a combination of Torrontes (85%) and Viognier (15%), was Argentina’s first dessert wine. The 2008/2009 vintage, at only $13 (for 500 ml), is a great, inexpensive introduction to dessert wines. It’s one of the successes from the small experimental winery Santa Julia operates in its search for creative combinations and unlikely varietals that it hopes will be fruitful discoveries. Try Tardío with cheese and other dairy-based desserts, berry and stone fruit desserts or as dessert.
At these prices, you might explore Santa Julia’s other wines to make discoveries of your own.
*The prices quoted above are suggested retail. You’ll find them significantly lower at many outlets.
©2011 Sharon Kapnick for SeniorWomen.com
Two other articles to explore:
State of the Packaging Art: Educational Wine Labels Help Consumers Make Smart Choices and The Name on the Back of the Bottle: Wine Importers You Can Rely On
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