Today's Ice Wine Article

Unique Argentinian Wines

My desire to visit Argentina was not based solely on that country?s wines but also a life-long fascination with all things South America. This curiosity was based on Argentina?s blend of European traditions with indigenous American interpretations. After having traveled to Argentina on a wine excursion, the culture, people and terrain all were beyond my lofty expectations.

Argentina has a long-standing wine tradition and though they have had success with the international varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, etc., they really have made their mark with Malbec and Torrontes. Both of these varietals have their history in Europe but have found their greatest successes in Argentina. Of all the wines and wineries that I was fortunate enough to visit, there were two that particularly stood out.

Michel Torrino is a winery in the Northwest part of the county in the Cafayette Valley ? a remote and sparsely populated valley. Here they have some of the highest altitude vineyards in the world.

Torrontes, a varietal that is native to Spain, found its home in these high altitude vineyards of Argentina and has become a star. Michel Torrino ?Don David? Torrontes was by far and away the most interesting of the various Torrontes that I tasted. It is a more full bodied and exotic expression of Torrontes with a nose of ripe peaches and lychee nuts. It is a rich wine with tremendous mouth-feel and depth of character.

Malbec is a Bordeaux varietal ? traditionally a blending varietal, but in Argentina it has come into its own.Though I tried a number of Malbecs, the one that stood out was from Catena. A rich nose, followed by a full bodied yet approachable wine that is the perfect compliment to a well cooked piece of beef, particularly from grass fed cattle.

Visit us at http://www.englewoodwinemerchants.com/ to view our selection of fine wines, or call us at 201-568-8820.

Englewood Wine Merchants is a fine wine and spirits retailer located in Englewood, New Jersey. We ship within the United States.

Another short Ice Wine review

Unique Argentinian Wines


My desire to visit Argentina was not based solely on that country?s wines but also a life-long fascination with all things South America. This curios...


Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

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Decorative Wine Bottle Gift Bags (Set of 12)


If you're giving the gift of wine give the wine in these attractive bottle bags. Decorated with an attractive grape motif (shown on right). Sold in sets of 12.


Price: 9.95 USD



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Today's Wine Journal Article

California Cult Wine Prices Are Going Crazy!

For those of you who have had the good fortune to get on the mailing lists of the "cult" wineries from California years ago you may be shaking your head in agreement as you read this note about wine prices. Those readers who have just started collecting top California wines may not have the same perspective due to current market prices in recent years.

This time of year some of the best boutique wineries are sending out to their mailing list customers wine allocations notices and pricing for the upcoming vintage. The list of top California wineries has been growing due to improved financial backing, better winemaking technology and sustainable agriculture practices; all of this is fueled by a very hot wine market. From my personal tastings, California's top "red" winemakers and ones you should get on their waiting list include: Harlan, Abreu, Colgin Cellars, Bryant Family, Dalla Valle, Shafer Hillside, Screaming Eagle, Sine Qua Non, Hundred Acre and Pride Mountain.

Consumers who have been on these winery mailing lists from the beginning have seen a steady rise in wine prices. For some wineries the price increases are staggering. The 2004 Screaming Eagle came out at $500 per bottle. Their first release in 1992 was selling for $50 per bottle. The 2004 Harlan came out at $350 per bottle. Their first release in 1990 came out at $75 per bottle.

The free market system tells us that "goods" sell at prices that the current market will bear. Today many cult wineries are having no problem selling their wines because of the small quantities they produce. But at what point do long time patrons of these wineries have to stop buying because they are either priced out of the market or find more compelling wines at lower prices?

Top California wines are approaching the bottle prices of the First Growth Bordeaux wines. I think this will be a critical intersection to watch since the French have established 100+ years of bottle aging data whereas the California newcomers have at best at 10-15 year track record.

I wonder if we are approaching some critical mass where the wine buying public starts to seriously look and purchase wines from other upcoming areas that reflect pricing of California wines from 10-15 years ago.

It is clear to me that one of the reasons Americans have fell in love with Australian wines in the past 5 years is that the quality to price ratio is often 1/3 that of similar California wines. Will the same hold true for wine from Chile, Argentina and Spain? Only time will tell.

One of the wine world's best stories in 2006 is the 95 points Robert Parker awarded to a $19.95 wine from Australia. The Mollydooker "Boxer" Shiraz has one of the highest price to points ratio in the history of Mr. Parker's notes. The wine made by veteran winemakers Sarah and Sparky Marquis defies gravity with a screw cap enclosure and a rip-off wine label "tab" that allows wine lovers to keep the name of the wine close to their hearts. So much for the snooty tissue paper wrapped bottles from the Napa Valley!

I would say that since this wine sold out in a matter of days post his review, American's appetites for $150+ California Cabernet's may be waning. In closing, one of the best wines produced in California is the Phelps Insignia which sells for around $130 per bottle. This is widely available at wine retailers and every vintage is a great value. Some of the best vintages can compare to the top cult wines at 1/3 the price. I'm still amazed why this wine does not sell off the retail shelves in the first few weeks of sale! I commend the Joseph Phelps winery for keeping this great wine priced for all to enjoy. I wish more wines of this caliber and aging potential were priced this reasonably! I just recently tasted the 1994 Insignia and it was superb!!!! This wine has a well establish aging profile so give it a try.

Another short Wine Journal review

California Cult Wine Prices Are Going Crazy!


For those of you who have had the good fortune to get on the mailing lists of the "cult" wineries from California years ago you may be shaking your he...


Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

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A dense, traditionally crafted French wine for those with patience, the 2000 Calon-Segur rivals the estate's finest wines of the last two decades, the 1995, 1988, and 1982. But be forewarned, this wine has already closed down, something totally in character with all top vintages from this estate. This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc exhibits a plum/purple color along with gorgeous aromas of creosote intermixed with spring flowers, black cherries, cassis, licorice, and stony, liquid minerals. A powerful, tannic, full-bodied and opulent dry red wine, it possesses considerable structure that is reasonably well-concealed by considerable glycerin and intensity. Look for it to be at its best between 2012-2040. (Subject to Availability) CSE00 CSE00


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