Tasting with Finca el Origen

Last week I had the privilege of attending a tasting and luncheon with some of the talented bloggers of WineAlign.  The tasting featured the wines of Argentinian winery Finca el Origen. We were lucky to have winemaker and General Manager, Gonzalo Bertelsen, to have joined us at the table. Being such a small group, it was an excellent opportunity to learn more about this country's booming wine industry and to try some of its fine exports.

Gonzalo Bertelsen

Owned by Chilean wine company Santa Carolina, Finca el Origen started selling under the label in 2002. Santa Carolina was actually the first Chilean winery to invest in Argentina. Finca el Origen now exports 90% of its production to 37 countries. The winery specializes in grape varietals such as Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Torrontes.



"We are not a boutique winery but we think like one" - Gonzalo Bertelsen, Winemaker and General Manager at Finca el Origen.

At the foot of the Andes
The stunning vineyards of
Finca El Origen

Mendoza is the main winemaking province of Argentina. With the highest altitude vineyards in the country, leading to unique growing conditions, the sub-region of Uco Valley is approximately an hour south of the city of Mendoza.

A dry climate, low-fertile soils and wide temperature differences between day and night can often produce wines that are well-structured and ideal for aging.

I enjoyed a delicious lamb burger so thankfully this wasn't a liquid lunch. Otherwise, I would have been speaking Spanish fluently!

2010
Chardonnay
Reserve
$10.95
(LCBO 269993)

2010 Chardonnay Reserva $10.95 (general list)
2011 Reserva Malbec $15.95 (in Vintages early next year)
2011 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon $15.95 (private order)
2010 Gran Reserva Malbec $21.95 (private order)
2009 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (private order)

We started with the 2010 Chardonnay Reserva. Every person at the table agreed that this wine was a more cool-climate approach to the Chardonnay grape. We were all stunned at the price. Retailing at $10.95, the 2010 Chardonnay Reserva is available at the LCBO through General List, meaning that it's highly available at many locations.  This Chardonnay is one of those finds where you gets lots for little! Great value. Even at 14% alcohol, the wine displayed clean, fresh fruit notes with good acidity.


Argentina boasts a wealth of natural resources and areas of great scenic beauty, including high summits and plains, lush forests and absolutely arid deserts, woods and steppes, glaciers and waterfalls. Any landscape you may imagine, you can find somewhere on Argentine soil. - www.winesofargentina.org

Argentina is famous for Malbec and tango. I'm definitely better at drinking Malbec than dancing the tango. I think Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape variety that should be watched closely from this country. Both of the Cabernet Sauvignons that I tried made a lasting impression on me. What I loved about the reds tasted was the level of extraction and soft, integrated tannins. The wines of Finca el Origen were, in my opinion, approachable yet affordable.

www.fincaelorigen.com

Thank you to Charton Hobbs and WineAlign for having me out for such an enjoyable afternoon!

If you would like to read more about the tasting, you can view the excellent articles written by other WineAlign bloggers:

Tyler Philp
Dan Trcka
Jennifer Hart

Land Of elements: Mendoza from Wines of Argentina on Vimeo.

Viva Argentina

Last week was a busy week in the Toronto wine world! I attended the iYellow Argentine BBQ at 99 Sudbury. I love this venue. I was wondering how the night would go considering it was one of the hottest days of the year! The venue looked amazing for the night.  The djs were spinning some funky beats...perfect to get this party started.

This was my hangout

This was table 11. The wines were being poured by Lifford Wine Agency. I just stood by this table all night long, like a wine groupie. They had two of my favourite wines of the show: Humberto Canale  Black River Torrentes (white wine) and Humberto Canale Estate Malbec (red wine) . Too bad these two wines are by consignment only. I would love to get my hands on that Torrentes. It was spectacular. You have to purchase a case (12 bottles). It's very tempting though because it's only $11.99 a bottle. Great price for this gem!

My favourite of the event
Black River Torrentes 2010

.The place was packed with people and we all had a common bond - the record breaking heatwave plaguing Toronto that day and our love of Argentinian wine. The food was delicious. There were meat and veggie kabobs, empanadas and sliders.

Asado is a term used both for a range of barbecue techniques and the social event of having or attending a barbecue in Argentina.

mmm meat!

My picks of the night:

Humberto Canale Estate Malbec 2010 $14.99

Humberto Canale Black River Torrentes 2010 $11.99

Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec 2008 $17.95

Don Cristobal 1492 Chardonnay 2011 $12.95

Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 $19.95

Malbec is the signature grape variety of Argentina but not the only!

They made it look so easy

Ole!

There was a tango performance by dancers directly from Argentina. Very sexy! I tried Tango once in my living room. Didn't work out so well. I have to say that the iYellow Wine Club events are getting bigger and better.

I really want to go to Argentina. It looks like such a beautiful country with a rich culture, beautiful scenery and of course, delicious wine.The first vines were planted in Argentina about 400 years ago. Today the industry is thriving as the country has many diverse geographical regions and modern wine making methods. All this mixed with rich heritage and passion, no wonder the popularity of Argentinian wine continues to grow. The thing I like about Argentinian wine is the value. You get enjoyable wine at a great price point.




Wines of Argentina on Vimeo.

Vintage One Wines

Did you know that Toronto has a city winery? In the picture on the right is Alejandra De Miguel (in the white dress).  She is the chief winemaker at Vintage One Wines. She, herself, is from Argentina and was a guest speaker at the event. She is gorgeous! I had no idea such a place existed in Toronto. They source the grapes and create wine right in Toronto. What an idea! I'm going to check them out.

"Vintage One is a city winery designed to bring the spirit of wine country to your doorstep. Visit our winery and it will feel like you’ve escaped to wine country. Surrounded by oak barrels and stainless steel fermenting tanks, the vast winery is unlike anything else in the city. It is a perfect setting for any festive occasion.

Become a winemaker. Join our family and experience how a city winery can add richness to your urban life." - www.vintageonewines.com

www.vintageonewines.com
www.facebook.com/vintageonewines





Vintage One Wines on Vimeo.

For more information about Argentinian wine:

www.winesofargentina.org

www.facebook.com/winesofargentina

Check out the iYellow website for future events:

www.iyellowwineclub.com