A spate of wet vintages puts vintners in Argentina to the test.
Recent vintages in Argentina have proved challenging to the country’s vintners and grape growers, with rain, frost and hail plaguing 2016, 2015 and 2014 to varying degrees. These are anomalous conditions in the usually desert like climate that characterizes this South American nation’s major wine growing regions, which are centered on the Mendoza district, located at the base of the Andes. The culprits include climate change and, in the case of 2016, a particularly strong El Niño effect.
For consumers, this means careful shopping is necessary. Still, there are many good wines that offer distinctive flavors, especially from the 2013 vintage. Since my last report (“Argentine Evolution,” Dec. 31, 2015 – Jan. 15, 2016), I have tasted more than 425 wines from Argentina; just over 100 of them earn outstanding scores of 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale, with the vast majority of those made from Malbec, Argentina’s leading red grape. (A free alphabetical list of scores and prices for all wines tasted is available at www.winespectator.com/123116.)
The sole wine in this report to rate in the classic range of 95 to 100 points is the Viña Cobos Malbec La Consulta Bramare Rebon Vineyard 2013 (95 points, $95). Suave and rich-tasting, with red berry, sandalwood, chestnut and plum tart flavors, it is from California-based vintner Paul Hobbs, who has played an instrumental role in putting Argentine Malbec on the world stage. In 1989, Hobbs began consulting for Argentinian wine pioneer Nicolás Catena, who brought in Hobbs to help him modernize winemaking at his Catena Zapata estate. Hobbs soon became devoted to making great Malbec, and he has been a driving force in Argentina ever since.
Denne historien er fra December 31, 2016-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra December 31, 2016-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New Zealand's Success Story - From small beginnings, the country's wines have ascended to global prominence
Since then, New Zealand has become one of the world’s most successful wine nations. Currently there are 102,000 acres planted, and 40 million cases were sold in 2023, according to the New Zealand Winegrowers. The tiny country produces less than 2% of the global wine supply, but it’s the world’s sixth-largest exporter of wine by value. Another thing that’s evolved? The image of corks no longer applies, as most vintners there eschew cork (only about 15% of the wines we review still use the closure).
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers - Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
There’s also strong evidence that alcohol consumption raises the risk of certain cancers and that heavy drinking carries serious health risks. But the reasons why moderate drinking seems to be neutral or beneficial for some people and harmful for others remains a mystery.A new study sought to solve that puzzle. Looking at health and lifestyle information for a large population, the researchers found that while any alcohol posed risks for adults with existing health problems from poorer areas, healthy adults from wealthier areas suffered no additional risks from moderate drinking, and those who drink wine with food even enjoyed better health.
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
SEAVEY VINEYARD
In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES
Tuscany Comes of Age
Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.
