CALLIA ALTA MALBEC

     Malbec isn’t a household name like a Merlot or a Cabernet is.  Mention it to some and it fashions a blank stare; but to a select few, there’s a strong and loyal following.  I was one of the former until recently.  Sure, I’ve come across the word “Malbec” in conversation, even sold a few…dozen…but I’m going to be honest.  I thought it was an Australian wine!

     The truth is, Malbec has been around for centuries.  It originated in France and was brought into Argentina in the mid-nineteenth century, where it prospered (unlike France, where the production of Malbec has dwindled because of frost and it’s fondness for catching diseases).  Callia Alta’s 2010 Malbec was grown in the Province of San Juan in the Tulum Valley.  The weather in Argentina is ideal for growing the Malbec grape—dry, lots of sunshine—and it produces a very fruity, very flavorful wine.

This Malbec is a great try.  It has a spicy flavor to it, goes down smooth and has a strong, lasting finish.  Pair it with roast meats, chicken and turkey.  I’m partial to mid- and full-bodied reds; I like a little punch, and Callia Alta delivers.  Set up the rotisserie.  Pour a glass of Callia Alta.  Become one of the following

Article Submitted By Jacki Moffa

Here's a little more about this wine

PRODUCTION AREA Country: Argentina Region: Valle de Tulum, San Juan The grapes are cultivated from vineyards located in Caucete, at 650 meters (2,133 feet) above sea level, in alluvial, sandy-textured soil. The vines are drip irrigated with snowmelt runoff from the Andes, providing the optimum amount of water to each plant. Vines are trained on trellis.
GRAPE VARIETIES 100% Malbec
WINEMAKER Oscar Biondolillo
PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES The grapes are hand-harvested and clusters are manually selected before de-stemming. Pre-fermentative maceration is performed at 12°C for 72 hours. Fermentation takes place at 24°C for 10 days. The wine is then aged in stainless steel tanks for 5 months
DESCRIPTION Color: Deep purple Aroma: Notes of spices and red fruits (cherries and plums)
Taste: Good structure, fresh and elegant mouth-feel, well-balanced with a long intense finish
ANALYSIS Alc.: 13.5% TA: 5.90 g/L pH: 3.55 SERVING SUGGESTIONS Due to the character of young red wines like Callia Alta, serve this wine slightly cooler than you would serve older red wines. A temperature of 15°C - 16°C is ideal as it allows for the integration of fruity flavors and the tannic structure of this wine.

Patagonia Cabernet: Don't be afraid.

That's a Patagonian Sunset, at their vineyard.

I was looking for pictures of Patagonia Red Wine on google images, and found nothing. It's a pretty unknown wine, but that's okay with me. I've often ventured into the unknown on a few bottles of wine... sometimes more than a few. The official website for the wine had one very self-exploratory picture, and a short little bio. That's their vineyard above, where they grow their Cabernet grapes, and it's beautiful.

The country is amazing. The grapes being grown there goes back a very long time. The family history behind some the vineyards is a very extensive, mood inducing, journey of sorts. I won't go into detail on here.

Aged in french oak. Dark enough to supply back-up to any roasted meat or grilled burger, this wine is chewy. I like the flavor, I taste the oak which makes me hungry for something fire-roasted.

Worth the risk? Sure.

Castellani 2009 Nero D' Avola

09 Castellani Nero D'Avola Sicily

   

I feel the same about coffee, I do. Sometimes you get a good cup of coffee from a diner, so good, you wonder what they did to it to make it taste the way it does. Was the cup even clean? Who cares, it was good, don't ask too many questions. Buy it and go. I feel pretty much the same about Italian wines lately.

First things first. Right now there are a lot of Italian wines on the market, most cheap, some good, a few with serious doubts or issues. Castellani has found a great niche; awesome price, great taste, a depth and complexity that you really can't find for under $20 anywhere.

Surprise is not the word. I mean.. we're talking 8.99. Under nine bucks for something that is as good with with food as any wine I've tried in recent memory. My glass was clean, i was not in a diner, and when i looked at the bottle across from me knowing i had not made a purchase my bank account would disagree with, i was happy.

Just buy this already. Thank me later.

Camelot Chardonnay

Camelot has been awarded over 425 medals for quality at leading wine competitions assuring the most discerning wine consumer a pleasurable and satisfying glass of wine. Crafted from superior grapes grown in California’s premier wine growing regions, our eight Camelot wines are delicious on their own and wonderful with food, elevating any occasion at which they are served. Enjoy! The name Camelot evokes the magical kingdom of King Arthur’s court where beauty, goodness and harmony prevailed. You’ll discover those same qualities in every bottle of Camelot wine. Since 1996

Chardonnay

     Displays bright apple and tropical fruit aromas with creamy, toasty oak tones adding complexity. Fruit-forward apple, pear and citrus flavors coat the palate while oak nuances add interest and sur lie character enriches the finish. Pair it with seafood and chicken dishes, game hens, pork roast and cream sauce pastas.

Winemaker Melissa Bates blends state-of-the-art technology with old-world artisan winemaking techniques to craft outstanding Chardonnay that consistently over-delivers on quality. Fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve its fresh fruit character, the wine ages several months sur lie
(on the yeast lees) in French and American oak to gain added richness and complexity.

Kendall Jackson AVANT [Chardonnay]

Kendall Jackson is one of those companies you hear a lot about. It's been around forever, so when they do something different, it's one of those things you have to look at and take notice. AVANT is one of those things.

On the label it reads: "Fresh - Crisp - Clean", which i think it suits this wine for what it is. It's lined-priced with the regular Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, which makes it a affordable buy for someone who is familiar with the brand who wants to try something new. Personally, I'm interested.

It's being marketed as something that is just great with food. This is their pride. I'll let everyone know tonight when i try it for the first time; or the third time, or whatever.