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New! FFP Quality Wine Picks for 2006 -with buyers guide
CATENA ZAPATA
World renown wine critic, Robert Parker said "the wine from Nicolas
Catena and his daughter are the finest in wine making art from South America."
Nicola Catena was born in Italy where he worked in the vineyards as a young
man. Picture: Catena Zapata His enthusiasm and drive brought him to Mendoza
where he planted his first vineyard in 1902. Together with his son, the
Catenas wine business grew into one of the largest producers in Argentina.
In 1962 his grandson Nicolas took over the business and by 1976 they were
selling 20 million bottle a year world wide. The tradition continues as
Nicolas's brother and daughter are now helping with Catena Zapata's innovative
techniques and worldwide marketing efforts.
In 2001, Nicolas opened a new state of the art winery modeled after a Mayan
temple. This was to represent the uniqueness of the region as well to give
emphasis to the sun who's rare absence help produce high quality grapes.
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BODEGA
SALENTEIN
Bodega Salentein was founded in 1998 by Carlos Pulenta who came from a
family with a long history of wine making at Bodega Penaflor or Trapiche.
He has quickly made this new winery a leader in Mendoza wine production.
Salentein lies in the Valle de Uco at 1,200 meters above sea level surrounded
by their fincas or farms and shadowed by the towering Andes Mountains.
Although the winery is relatively new, one of the fincas on their property
dates back to the Jesuits of the 17-century who were also involved in
viticulture. In fact, all of their vineyards are at least 30 years old
and posses valuable characteristics such as calcareous stony-soils and
high elevation. Many vineyards are grown in microclimates which ultimately
give any particular variety a unique signature.
The bodegas itself is quiet unique in it's structure and methods. The
two-story building is constructed in a cross with each wing being a separate
winery. The upper level hold the large fermentation tanks while the lower
level holds oak barrels. The bodega uses gravity to transfer the wine
from the tanks to the oak casts where they mature. While the building
impressiveness is only enjoyed on site, the wines produced from within
are honored around the world.
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DOLIUM
This is probably our favorite boutique winery and is owned and operated
by our friend, Mario Giadorou. Mario is a mechanical engineer by trade
with a background in private industry; however, he rekindled his ancient
Italian family's activity by starting Dolium Winery in 1997. The word
"dolium' is Latin for amphora which is like a small urn. These are
the distinctive bottles that the classical Romans and Greeks used to store
wine. Mario has again followed history by using the Roman technique of
storing wine underground at a constant temperature all year. Mario is
the first wine maker in Argentina to combine these ancient wine making
traditions with modern technology.
BODEGA
LA RURAL
La Rural is one of the first local wineries of Mendoza and was founded
by Italian immigrant Felipi Rutini in 1895. The winery cultivates Malbec,
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay and Chenin. It also is
the only producer of the rare Gewurztraminer variety. La Rural is a favorite
among wine enthusiasts because of it's distinguished wine museum, containing
an extensive collection of artifacts from it's founding days.
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BODEGAS
TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES
Although Terrazas de los Andes has a relatively short history, its roots
go back to the 1950's. The famous French Champagne house, Moet & Chandon
sent their wine analyst, Renaud Poirier, to South America for reconnaissance.
After several years in various countries, he claimed the Lujan de Cuyo
Valley in Mendoza Argentina was the best place to start a production of
varietal wines. With the help of an old Spanish style winery and it's
owner, Poirier produced his first experimental vintages between 1957-1959.
Three decades later a branch of Moet $ Chandon, called Terrazas de los
Andes was born.
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FAMILIA
ZUCCARDI
The Zuccardi family has been living in Mendoza since the late 19th century.
They are the largest family owned and run winery in Argentina and the
only winery in Mendoza to not use any foreign investments. The founder
of Zuccardi was Don Alberto who started an irrigation business and began
to plant small vineyards in the 1950's to demonstrate his innovative techniques.
His son Jose Alberto now is the director of Familia Zuccardi and has permanent
staff of 350 people.
Since 1998, the winery has set a goal to convert all their vineyards organic.
Several vineyards already are certified organic buy the Argentine government.
The Zuccardis believe the by working with nature, higher quality wines
can be produced. They are able to ensure their wine quality in all markets
by producing wines from only their family's vineyards.
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Don Alberto is currently working on three different irrigation techniques.
Two are computer controlled drip systems that give a rain like affect
while the other is a micro-spray system.
Other
wineries we may visit:
Finca Flichman
Lurton
Bodegas Escorihuela Gascon
Lopez
Trapiche
Norton
Luigi Bosca
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