March 2016 Meeting - A South American Odessey

This month's meeting was hosted by Gordon and Gayle, they took us on a South American odessey...

The Wines

 

Wine

 

Name

 

Country, Information.

 

Outlet

Guess the

Price

Score out of 10

 

White Sparkling Wine

 

 

Undurraga Brut NV,

Chile

12.5%

Origin: Don Francisco Undurraga, was one of the pioneers of winemaking in Chile. From the famous Maipo Valley, produced using the charmat method.

Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.

Taste: Dry, light & fresh with lime, grapefruit & stone fruit flavours & elegant bubbles.

Enjoy: A great aperitif or sparkling wine for toasting.

 

 

 

Majestic

 

£9.99

 

 

 

Rose

 

Montgras

Pink Zin

Colchagua Valley, Chile 2013

12%

Origin: Pink Zin Rose from the Colchagua Valley.

Grape: Produced from the first Zinfandel grapes hand harvested this season. 

Taste: Shows wicked fresh flavours of raspberry & strawberry. Devilishly soft & smooth with a juicy fresh frish.

Enjoy: Perfect with Seafoods, Salads or just on its own.

 

 

 

Waitrose

 

£5.99

 

 

 

White

 

 

Procedencia Salta, Argentina

2015

13%

Origin: Salta region of Argentina.

Grape: Torrontes Grape.

Taste: Light fresh wine with exotic flavours and lemony crispness; Lychee, orange peel & citrus.

Enjoy: Perfect aperitif, a wonderful match with delicate seafood or Asian salads.

 

Tesco

Finest

 

£6.50

 

 

 

 

White

 

 

Vinaan Mayu Dry Pedro Ximenez

Elqui Valley, Chile 2014

13%

Origin: Pedro Ximenez is known worldwide as the grape of Spain’s rich dessert sherries, & in Chile as the basis of pisco, the local brandy.  However it is also capable of being crafted into this aromatic & crisp dry white wine.

Grape: Pedro Ximenez.

Taste: This wine has an appealing citrus backbone combining aromas of lemon & lime zest with subtle floral & mineral hints.  Crisply acidic & refreshing on the palate.

Enjoy: A great partner for all manner of fresh seafood dishes.

 

 

 

 

Majestic

 

£9.99

 

 

 

Wine

 

Name

 

Country, Information.

 

Outlet

Guess

Price

Score out of 10

 

 

 

 

 

Red

 

 

 

Pisano Vina Barrancal Reserve Cuadro 214 Tannat 2013

Uruguay

13.5%

Origin: Progreso region of Uruguay.  Completely different from the arid & mountainous Argentina or Chile, Uruguay has a climate & landscape more akin to Bordeaux.  Ample rainfall means no irrigation is necessary & the coastal vineyards are cooled by the Atlantic Ocean, so temperatures are never excessive.  This Tannat comes from Pisano, a small family company making high quality wines in the Progreso region.  Aged for 10 months in French oak barrels.

Grape: Tannat (Originally for South West France, & the Basque region of Spain)

Taste: Really good Tannat is as delicious & as difficult to find as a beautifully ripe wild blackberry, which has lovely perfume, & its sweetness is perfectly counterbalanced by a bright acidity & a slight astringency.

Enjoy: Marinated lamb skewers, spiced beef sausages with mash, or spicy Basque ratatouille.

 

 

 

 

The Wine Society

 

 

 

£9.95

 

 

 

Red

 

 

Merlot Serra Gaucha

Brazil 2013

12%

Origin: Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Grape: Merlot

Taste: Youthful, crimson coloured wine with a smoky fresh cherry fruit palate showing a friendly moreish & exuberant style.

Enjoy: Steaks sausages, pasta, a Chaurrasco barbecue &cheese, also fish.

 

 

Waitrose

 

£8.79

 

 

 

Red

 

 

Carmenere Colchagua Valley, Chile 2014

13.5%

Origin: Carmenere has travelled from France to Chile, in the Colchague Region of Chile.

Grape: Carmenere

Taste: The signature Red wine of Chile, robust & spicy yet gorgeously approachable wine.  Rich & full bodied.

Enjoy: Stunning with roast meats or hearty vegetarian dishes.

 

 

Asda

 

 

£4.97

 

 

 

 

 

Red

 

 

Alamos

Con Amigos Malbec 2014, Catena, Mendoza

Argentina

13%

Origin: Mendoza is by far the biggest & most important region in Argentina.  Classically hailing from the Cahors vineyards to the east of Bordeaux, Argentina is now arguably the home of Malbec.  The Alamos vineyards of Medoza lay in the foothills of the Andes mountains.  Cultivated by the Catena family for over 100 years.  Mendozas vineyards are amongst the highest in the world.

Grape: Malbec

Taste: The Malbec oozes dried raisiny fruit character, lots of Blackberries, a full body & ripe sweet tannis.

 

 

 

 

Majestic

 

 

£9.99