THE MALBEC TASTING

WITH A NOD TO CHENIN BLANC

NIES – February 2014

• Which country is the largest grower & producer of CB?

• Chenin Blanc: AKA Pineau or Pineau de la Loire

- Known for its high acidity & aging potential

• Our toasting wine: – 2013 ‘Signature’ Chenin Blanc by Spier, Stellenbosch– Chenin Blanc, 13.5% alcohol

• Chenin Blanc in South Africa

• Characteristics of SA CB Spier Chenin Blanc vines

ANOTHER TASTE OF SOUTH AFRICA: CHENIN BLANC, W.O. WESTERN CAPE

• Chenin Blanc #2: – 2012 Vouvray ‘V’ – Famille Bougrier, St.-Romain S/Cher, France– 100% Chenin Blanc, 11.5% alcohol

• Characteristics of Vouvray AOC

- White only; Chenin Blanc grapes only - Various styles: sec, demi-sec, moelleux- Sparkling wine : pétillant or brut- Ageworthy white!

MOVING NORTH TO THE LOIRE:VOUVRAY A.O.C. (1936)

Noël Bougrier, Vigneron

Essential glass for Vouvray!

Noble rot

• A bit of history

• Characteristics of Cahors AOC

• Malbec: AKA Cot, Noir Cot, Auxerrois

• Cahors #1: – 2010 Antisto Tradition Malbec, Cahors A.O.C. – Produced by Georges Vigouroux, Cahors, Lot, France– 100% Malbec, 14% alcohol

SOUTH TO THE RIVER LOT: CAHORS A.O.C. (1971)

Pont Valentré

• Cahors #2: – 2008 Clos La Coutale Cahors A.O.C. – Produced by V. Bernède et Fils, Vire-sur-Lot, France– 80% Malbec, 20% Merlot– 13.5% alcohol

• Notes on Clos la Coutale & the ‘08

• Terroir, and “the black wine”

CAHORS A.O.C. (1971) CONT’D

The estate winery

Philippe Bernède, Vigneron

• History of Malbec in Argentina

• Vines in Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja

Catamarca, Salta and Buenos Aires

• Mendoza #1:– 2012 Andeluna Malbec 1300 – Produced by Andeluna Cellars, Uco Valley,

Mendoza, Argentina– Vineyard located in Tupungato– 100% Malbec– 14.5% alcohol

MALBEC EMIGRATES TO ARGENTINA

• Mendoza #2– 2010 Paisaje de Tupungato– Produced by Finca Flichman, Maipu,

Mendoza, Argentina– 70% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot– 14.5% alcohol– Ageing/characteristics

• Finca Flichman story• Various lines of wine – visit : www.fincaflichman.com.ar

ENCORE: ANOTHER MALBECFROM TUPUNGATO

Luis Cabral de Almeida, Head

Winemaker

Flichman vines and the Andes

1. Spier Chenin Blanc

2. Vouvray “V”

3. Cahors: Antisto

4. Cahors: Clos La Coutale

5. Mendoza: Andeluna 1300

6. Mendoza: Paisaje de Tupungato

RETAIL PRICES?

HAVE A GUESS!

1. $8

2. $11

3. $15

4. $16

5. $16

6. $19

• South and Western Australia

• Chile

• Washington State

• California

…better than France or Argentina?

MALBECS FROM OTHER REGIONS: TASTE AND COMPARE!

Don’t cry for me --they won’t hold a

candle to Argentina!

GRACIAS Y BUENAS NOCHES!

Tango dancers in La Boca, Buenos Aires