Vine Connections and Pioneer Wine Company hosted a seminar and tasting event for Houston's wine trade and media at Backstreet Cafe yesterday. All but two of the wines were from the Salta Province of Argentina. Salta is the most northern wine region in Argentina lying close to the Bolivian border. The climate is very extreme due to the high altitude. Plantings start at 5,000 feet above sea level and climb to 9,000 feet, making these vineyards the highest in the world. The intense sunlight the area receives helps to create grapes with more anthocyanins, these are the color pigments which result in softer tannins, lower astringency and more intense flavor. The wines produced are extremely pure, concentrated and terroir specific. Torrontes Riojano which is considered the best of the three Torrontes clones is the most widely planted grape with plantings of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat increasing. The seminar started with a tasting of four Torrontes wines, three from diff
Sandra, you reviews are better than ever.
ReplyDeleteOne of my first wine loves was Bonterra 2006 Cabernet, but my latest is their 2007 Syrah. In part, this is what I had to say: Bonterra Vineyards Mendocino County 2007 Syrah (organic), $13.79- $18.99 (I paid $14.99), 89 points, is another amazing wine from Bonterra . For those who have wanted to try an American Syrah.
Well, you just keep making me hungry-thirsty!
Dennis Tsiorbas
Thank you so much, I am planning on trying the whole line but I will start with the Syrah based on your recommendation!
ReplyDelete