AnuvaBlog

In Argentine wine news, the projection for grape production for 2010 is 2,667,915,300 kg, which would be a 23% increase from 2009. This includes all grapes, for wine, juice, eating, and raisins. Experts are expecting a particularly significant increase in production in Mendoza this year of 25%. These higher numbers can be attributed to the recuperation of wineries that had trouble with hail and frost last year, as well as a better sprouting and better plant health in general this year. 

After visiting Mendoza in early February and meeting with over 20 wineries, the Anuva Team thought that the harvest would be lower this year, as this was all of the word of mouth news that we collected from the wineries. However, nobody actually knows what harvest will be until it occurs, which is why the news above is still not for sure, but rather a projection.

These numbers, however, are drastically different from what the news was in February. The results remain to be seen as we are in the middle of red grape harvest at the moment, with the finish of harvest coming in about 2-3 weeks depending on the location, winery and winemaker.

See more information at: http://www.inv.gov.ar/noticias.php?ind=1&id_nota=129 

I am always reminded of why I am in the wine business when I am able to taste vintage wines, in order, from a prestigious winery like Carinae. This last weekend, it was our first anniversary-for Lourdes and I-and we celebrated with some bottles we had been given by Philippe and Brigitte Subra of Carinae Vinos.

Their Prestige blend, made personally by Michael Rolland, is the winery’s top of the line blend and the current vintage (2007) retails for about 47 dollars after recieved many 90+ point ratings from all of the usual suspects (Parker, Tanzer, Wine Spectator, etc).

The 2007 Carinae Prestige, while still quite powerful and bold and a semblance of being less tame, is beginning to mature and take on some more of the qualities of a bottle that has been around a little while. The big mouthfeel and concentration will grab you, but a lingering aftertaste of raspberry and plum is quite nice, with notes of vanilla and toast on the nose. This one could still go for another 6-8 years.

The 2006 Carinae Prestige is nearing its sweet spot with more earth in the nose and hints of tobacco and dark chocolate. In the mouth, luscious ripe black fruits with a more velvety feel than the 07. Excellent wine.

The 2005 Carinae Prestige, though really took us. Such a layered nose! Is it possible to say that it stank of mushrooms, hay, and temperate rain-forest and have that be a good thing? Also very present was a wet-leather aroma, like leather that you have had in storage for a long time. The mouth is ever so supple, long and persistent. Hints of cigar flavors, raspberry and blackberry and clove mix and mesh in a symphony of flavor.

The 2007 is available now at www.anuvawines.com

Unfortunately, tourists are still getting ripped off on taxi transportation in Buenos Aires. I just heard of a couple paying 500 pesos (125 usd) for an airport pickup. I find this horrifying!

For the best, most reliable, English speaking luxury car service in Buenos Aires you should go to Fred and Karina, the husband a wife couple at Silver Star Car (www.silverstarcar.com). They only charge 78 u$s for an airport pickup, 64 for a drop off, and they have tour services as well, all provided in a Lincoln Town Car or Citroen C4 where you can stretch your legs. And if you’re 6′ 4″ (197cm) like me, this is a fantastic luxury.

I met Fred about a year ago when we did a TV show together on the TN channel here in Argentina called “Argentina para Armar”. The show was about the immigration of American expats to Argentina. Since he and I are both married to Argentines (Karina is Argentine and so is my wife Lourdes), and started and own businesses here, we found we had a lot in common. So look them up for all of your car transport needs while in Buenos Aires.