Malbec at Viu Manent.
Our first trip to Chile and Argentina was full of surprises. It’s no surprise to us that good quality wines are being produced in both countries that are terrific value. What was surprising is just how many wines are being made in both countries that are of excellent quality. Not surprisingly, we found some outstanding Malbec in Argentina. But to our great surprise Viu Manent in Chile is making its name with Malbec, a variety almost exclusively associated with its South American neighbor.
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Examples of Tête de Cuvée
This series of articles will focus on the top wines from a number of Champagne Houses. In Champagne these top wines are referred to as that house’s “Tête de Cuvée”. The Tête de Cuvée will be made from a strict selection of the best barrels from the best vineyard parcels. The Tête de Cuvée is very limited in production, but it is very important to the Champagne house as it represents the best of the best, the crowning achievement that defines what the house is capable of.
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The cellar at Cheval des Andes.
When the world’s leading luxury brand owner (LVMH) takes two of their top winery brands (Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de Los Andes) and backs them to create a new winery under the aegis of one of the world’s greatest living winemakers (Pierre Lurton of Cheval Blanc and Chateau d’Yqem), you know it is going to be something amazing. What you may not have guessed is just how amazing the wines from their project (Cheval des Andes) are.
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The wine lineup at Kingston.
In a country known for large production wineries, Chile’s Kingston Family Vineyards is a small producer proving that a focus on quality over quantity can always set you apart.
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Food & Wine Studio by Pilar Rodriguez
We arrived at Food & Wine Studio by Pilar Rodriguez to a warm greeting before promptly being directed back to our van. “First things first,” says Pilar, “We need to go to the farm to get some ingredients.” And so begins our cooking class with the charming Chilean celebrity chef.
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Lingua Franca refers to a universal language that everyone can understand
Great wine is made in the vineyard. Larry Stone knew he saw something special when he inspected the property in what is now home to his latest project in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This unique site combined with Larry’s 40+ years of experience and consultation by renowned winemaker Dominique Lafon, has already proven to be a winning formula for Lingua Franca Wines in its very early beginnings.
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Fall in the Vineyard at Stoller.
There’s something magical about being in a wine region when it’s time to harvest. The vines are plump with grapes ready to be picked while the canopy of leaves are changing from dark green to bright orange and red. In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the soil is just as vibrant ranging from yellowy-red silty clay to the distinctive dark red of Jory volcanic soil. If you’re lucky enough to be at Stoller Family Estate at the time, you’ll be hard-pressed to find more spectacular vineyard views.
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Lenné Estate
If you were to ask virtually any winemaker what makes good wine, his or her answer will likely be that it starts with good fruit. Ask what is needed to grow good fruit and the answer will be poor soil. Poor defined by a wine grower is rocky soil, even better if it’s on a slope. Both allow for drainage which makes vines struggle to gather both nutrients and water, which in turn results in concentrated, flavourful and high-quality berries. Tucked at the top of a hill in Oregon’s Willamette Valley sits Lenné Estate—a winery that lives, and almost died, because of its poor soil.
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