This time, I have chosen to write about how great Argentine wine is. In fact, let’s just say that this week, I’m ‘celebrating’ Argentine wine. And then let’s say no more on the matter. Ahem.
It will come as no surprise to you that Argentina is one of the top wine-producing countries of the world. Wines from the country were few and far between on Scottish (and British) shelves within living memory (let’s say, for talking’s sake, between 1979 and 1990), but Argentina is now one of the top selling wine countries in our market.
Argentina is a country of vast natural resources. Sadly, in the three decades since the end of the military dictatorship of the Juntas, it has been plagued with political instability brought on by massive political swings from right-wing to left-wing. Infighting over privatisation and nationalisation saw the dwindling of some major industries (hmm… that sounds oddly familiar).
Just as an example, the country now produces less than 20% of the coal that they did in 1980. I’m still talking about Argentina, by the way. Not that I’m trying to relate this to events or individuals in the UK, I’m just saying…
However, wine has been a constant in Argentina’s shaky economic growth in the past thirty years, and the wine industry there has seen a massive rise in export volumes. While still very cheerful, Argentinian wines used to be a bit cheaper in export markets like ours. This is in no small way due to the fact that the wine industry is currently losing a long and bitter fight over export duties with the current President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who (in a note completely unrelated to current events) has been described by some as ‘Argentina’s Iron Lady’.
The country produces a wonderful variety of wines with beautiful expressions of almost every grape under the sun, and it turns out wines in every style, from simple, easy-going rosé plonk, to deep, complex reds that could be aged for decades. My point is, if you haven’t yet turned to Argentinian wine, you should. Unless of course, you’re ‘not for turning’, but that would just be obstinate of you.
Here are a few colour-coded recommendations:
Red
Well worth a try is Fairtrade Tilimuqu Cabernet/Bonarda 2010 (£7.99, Waitrose). Not only does buying fairtrade appeal to those who believe there is such a thing as society, but the wine tastes pretty awesome too!
The gorgeous nose of sweet blackcurrant is dominated by the Cabernet Sauvignon, but is followed by a palate that is slightly juicier than expected. Bonarda is a grape that is very widely grown in Argentina, and here it adds a lifted red cherry aspect, showing off how well these two grapes can go together.
White
Another grape that is very widely grown in Argentina, but not so much elsewhere, is Torrontes. The grape is considered indigenous, having derived from other varietals at some point in Argentina’s winemaking past. Its high sugar yield can lend wines a lovely fresh roundness, and it is even used in the production of dessert wines.
Sticking to dry wines, I recommend Montemar Torrontes 2011 (£7.75, Oddbins), which has sharply floral and slightly spicy nose, but a very lush lychee palate, topping off with a zingy grapefruit finish. It will leave you even more refreshed than four hours of sleep!
Blue
Nah, only kidding – it’s not blue wine, it’s Sparkling Red – you know, like boiling blood (as opposed to blue blood, that is). Alma 4 Sparkling Bonarda 2007 (£18.98, exelwines.co.uk) is produced by the wonderful Familia Zuccardi, and is a fabulous example of a vintage sparkling red of immense quality.
It has a lovely nose of red berries and cookie dough with some funky, earthy notes hiding underneath. Its fizz has an exquisite, velvety mouthfeel that releases intense flavours of strawberry and dark cherry, and just a touch of dark chocolate. Plus, it has a Champagne cork, so can be used to celebrate momentous events… like discovering Argentinian wines!
Rest assured, even if your celebrations are in bad taste, at least your wine can taste good! Phew - that’s enough wine for now – I’m off for a glass of milk.
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