The Wine Wench/Finally, a Wine to Go with my Cigar

Photo by Flickr/davidw The Vines of Mendoza is a great place to introduce yourself to the best wines from Mendoza. The Wine Wench did a tasting with a flight of the best Reserve Malbecs. There were some great wines in the flight.

The buzz over Mendoza’s fine Malbecs continues with a local winemaking/importing family, the Chavarrias of Mendoza, Argentina, and Indian Head, MD., whom the Wine Wench found modestly promoting their wines at the National Harbor Food and Wine Festival back in early June.

Last week, Local Kicks sat down with the famous Mendozas in Old Town for a chat about their distinguished line.

Photo by Flickr/photostat Red Wine Barrels in Mendoza, Argentina.

Argentina is the world’s fifth largest producer of wine, with the Mendoza province in central-West Argentina accounting for 60% of that industry.  And in Mendoza, of course, Malbec is numero uno.

Originally from Bordeaux and Cahors, Malbec was known there as Auxerrois.  

During the Phylloxera virus last century in around 1850, this and other varietals were nearly annihilated in France and winemakers around the world rushed in to help. One of these measures included planting the varietals in the new world, which winemakers did in Mendoza with the help of the provincial governor there, Domingo Sarmiento.  The vines took well in the sunny, high altitude, mountainous ecosystem.

For decades the Argentine wine industry suffered from the effects of the Great Depression, hyperinflation, and poor internal transportation networks.  But as the economy stabilised and modernity proceeded, foreign investors saw the value of Argentine wines and the beneficial climate.  Soon, Argentine wines were available internationally.

In around 1950, the Chavarria family acquired vineyards in Mendoza and began their own label.  Family owned and operated since the beginning, Gabriel Chavarria imports and distributes his labels on the US side and his brother takes care of the land and winemaking back in Mendoza.  Chavarria family wines are available in DC, MD, and VA under two labels: El Fogon and Aconcagua.  A list of Alexandria retailers who carry Chavarria family wines follows.

The El Fogon label features unoaked, steel-fermented varietals including Malbec, Chardonnay, Bonarda (aka Charbono), Tempranillo, Torrontes, and a Cabernet Sauvignon.  The El Fogon Malbec is plummy and decidedly lighter in style than the oaked versions. The Aconcagua label is fermented in barrels which combine French and American oak and these include Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, four blended wines, and a reserve label.

Photo by Flickr/davidw The Vines of Mendoza is a great place to introduce yourself to the best wines from Mendoza.

As a varietal, Malbec has masculine traits such as leather and cedarwood, and sometimes tobacco, which come to the fore when oak is implemented.  As for fruit, red plums are typical.  The oaked Aconcagua is like sinking into a leather armchair in a cedar wood forest and eating medjool dates.  

This one has a nice finish and would do well after sitting in your wine storage unit for a couple of years.  These are good values, coming in at well under $20, affordable for everyday enjoyment.  
Salute!
 
To View a Slide Show of the Wine-Producing Region of Mendoza, Click Here.

Retailers in Alexandria carrying the El Fogon and Aconcagua labels:  

Bestway Alexandria, Telegraph Road

Deli Market, Van Dorn Street

Friendly Mart, Duke St

Gallery Market and Café, Jamieson Ave.

Grand Mart, Little River Turpike

The Wine Wench with Mr. Mendoza.

International Food, Richmond Highway

Lady’s Bodega, Van Dorn St.

La Vegas Restaurant, Richmond Highway

Montebello Restaurant, Mount Eagle Drive

Pilar’s Restaurant, Huntington Ave.

The Variety Mart, Cameron Run Terrace

Universal Market, Mount Vernon Ave.