Back in November, the Celebrate the Great Wines of Argentina tasting was held on the Trading Floor at the Design Exchange. For those who don’t remember, the Design Exchange used to be the home of the Toronto Stock Exchange back in the pre-electronic days when stocks were traded by bunches of people in large rooms. The Trading Floor is about 10,000 square feet in size, with a 40 foot ceiling. The walls are still decorated with the eight original canvas murals that were there in 1937 when it opened. Due to the size and sound deadening effects of the extremely large murals, events there tend to be really calm and quiet.
Argentinian wines, on the other hand, are anything but quiet. Most of them are well made, bold flavoured and moderately priced. In addition, while many wine producing regions will have a signature grape, Argentina has two – Torrontes and Malbec.
Torrontes is a white wine that is pretty well unique to Argentina. Not much of it is produced and exported as it’s not very popular with people who like a relatively straight-forward white wine. As you can see in my notes below, Torrontes is more challenging than most Chardonnays.
Malbec, on the other hand, is grown in several other areas of the world including France, Ontario and Chile. However, only Argentina seems to have the perfect climate for rich, fruit forward, juicy Malbec. One of the original grapes of Bordeaux, Malbec was added to Bordeaux wines to give colour and add more fruity flavours than Cabernet Sauvignon usually has. Malbec is still an authorized grape for Bordeaux but when the vines were replanted in the late 1800’s after the phylloxera louse killed the existing vines, many grape growers did not bother to replant Malbec as it does not ripen well in a cool climate.
As Argentina has a warmer climate than France, Malbec ripens fully and consistently, giving us the dark red, juicy fruit-forward Malbecs that are so popular and they have made Argentina the fifth largest wine producing country in the world.
Rio Seco Torrontes 2009 (Whitehall Agencies - $9.95)
This is the everyday table wine version of Torrontes. The nose has notes of honeysuckle and citrus and has flavours of stone fruit like peach or really ripe apricot. There is a slight bitterness on the finish which offsets the slight sweetness.
Gamela Reserva Torrontes 2009 (Whitehall Agencies - $26.95)
This is the weekend or special dinner version of Torrontes. Rose and honeysuckle flowers come from the glass which makes the dryness of the wine a little surprising. As the peach and slight citrus flavours finish, there is a slight lanolin quality to the finish similar to an aged Semillon.
Andeluna Torrontes 2008 (Stem Wine Group - $15.99)
A very aromatic wine with a nose similar to Gewurztraminer, there are notes of roses, honeysuckle and peaches. Flavours of peach and citrus are highlighted by a refreshing acidity that leads to a long citrus and lime finish.
Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio Reserve 2009 (LCBO April Release - $12.95)
The nose of apricots and yellow peaches is repeated in the flavours. The moderate acidity that shows up on the apricot and stone fruit finish makes this a refreshing summer patio wine.
Zuccardi Q Malbec 2007 (LCBO #723478 – January 20th Release - $18.95)
Lots of black cherry, vanilla and plum on the nose with blackberry and black cherry fruit flavours with moderate acidity makes this very drinkable. The tannins are slightly drying on the long cherry vanilla finish.
Trivento Reserva Syrah /Malbec 2008 (LCBO #492702 – January 9th Release - $12.95)
Cherry jam greets you followed by toasted oak on the nose. Red cherry flavours are supported by the firm tannins and moderate acidity. This wine is well priced and it would be worthwhile to lay down a couple of bottles to see how they develop.
Pascual Toso Merlot 2007 (LCBO #35188 - $12.95)
An interesting nose of dark cherries, oak and cloves leads to dark cherries and dark chocolate flavours in the mouth. The smooth tannins and moderate acidity mean that this wine is ready to drink now but it should improve with three of four years of bottle age. Stock up!
Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec 2006 (LCBO #79293 - $16.95)
Plum and cherry aromas mingle with the vanilla and oak notes. Cherry and blackberry flavours are supported by the moderate acidity and firm tannins. This wine could age four to five years.
Saurus Patagonia Select Malbec 2008 (LCBO – March Release - $17.95)
Blueberry and blackberry aromas and flavours fill the glass. This wine shows a slight heat on the cherry vanilla finish.
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