We started out with a traditional Pinot from Chile. Then moved up the mountains in Argentina for a Malbec, and then hopped over to Portugal for a blend.
What a Week!
There was no pushing the food around on the plate. It was all inhaled. The meals were hearty fare that were built to fend off the damp Fall and bring out the moody mysteries of the wine. I’m going to have to turn back the scales 5 kilos as well as the clocks.
The medium-bodied Pinot was silky with fresh red berries there to pick up the earthiness, Flashes of spice to perk up the acidity.
PINOT NOIR – UNDURRAGA GRAN RESERVA SIBARIS LEYDA VALLEY
$15.99
14.0 % Alcohol
UPC:07804315304722
A rich, solid blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinto Roriz, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. It is bold, smooth, dry, and soft – spicy and toasty It has a fine balance between cool tannins and bold black fruits.
ALENTEJANO – CASA SANTOS LIMA QUID PRO QUO
14.2% Alcohol
$15.99
UPC: 05604424433014
Today, Argentina is a world leader in high-altitude grape-growing and Malbec is thriving at 1,000 to 1,500 metres in elevation. The benefit of altitude is cooler nights and large temperature swings between day and night of the kind most winegrowers never experience. Grapes do much developing in the final four to six weeks of ripening where the temperature is the determinant of any single component of flavour or aroma.
Since varying flavours and aromas are produced at different temperatures, the best wines need a vineyard with a range of favourable temperatures to capture all the desirable flavours and aromas. A good start is a nighttime temperature in the low teens followed by daytime highs in the mid to high 20s.
MALBEC – LA LINDA PRIVATE SELECTION OLD VINES 2018
$17.49 regularly $19.99
14.2 % alcohol
UPC:07791203001675
