Gauchezco Fom Argentina With Love

The Spanish speaking winemaking countries are now in the process of making a big play for our wine business. Typical of the Hispanic psyche, they are doing it honorably but in their own distinctive manner. That distinctive manner is to make wines from local grapes as is the case with Spain or from Spanish grapes that have found a home in the new world as the Malbec has in Chile and Argentina. The vines were originally brought over by the early Spanish settlers. In their new country, these settlers planted their grapes and hoped for the best; which did not come. They then looked in other areas for the right place for their Spanish grapes to grow. As they traveled north, things began to look better and better. Then they came to the far northern part of the country where they found almost ideal grape growing conditions plus the natural irrigation coming off of the snows of the Andes. There they planted their vines, their roots and their hopes. Needless to say their efforts paid off by settling and developing one of the most grape friendly places on earth.

From the high Andes mountain vineyards of Gauchezco, comes a delightful and well made series of wines that are as Argentinean as the Gaucho, the Pampas or Buenos Aires.

Gauchezco 2010 Torrontes ($13.99) The Torrontes grape is one of the transplants from Spain that has found its new home at the foothills of the Andes. In Argentina and in the hands of Gauchezco’s winemakers the grape produces a balanced, highly perfumed white wine. The 2010 vintage of this almost native grape resulted in a soft fruity wine that stresses violets, jasmine and spice in the aroma while tropical fruits dominate the flavor. This wine is the perfect accompaniment to all forms of seafood, but can also serve well with hors d’overs or just sipping. It is a very friendly wine.

Gauchezco 2010 Malbec Rosé ($13.99). Judging from the success of the blush zinfandel the Gauchezco vintners decided to emulate the style but, as usual, in their own manner. They started with Argentina’s favorite red grape, malbec, and proceeded to treat it as a white grape by crushing them, immediately removing the color inducing skins and fermenting only the juice so that the color remains a light and vibrant pink. The aroma of this wine can be described in two words, pure perfume and alternates between sun-warmed violets and fresh picked strawberries. Black cherry, raspberry strawberry and honey flavors share the palate with a vibrant acidity. The finish is long and as fruity as is the flavor. This wine, like its American counterpart, is sweet without being sugary and is the perfect accompaniment with almost everything.

Gauchezco 2010 Malbec ($14.99). This wine has a deep red, almost dense violet color with the distinct aromas of violets, cherries and blueberries which carry over to the flavor where they merge with just a suggestion of oak. The finish is long, fruity and very complex. This is an impressive and regal wine that has all the finesse and character of a classical Bordeaux and the positive fruit of a California wine. Tasting is believing, so we recommend that you taste and you will believe.

Gauchezco 2008 Mendoza Oro Malbec ($45). Oro is the flagship wine of Gauchezco and it explores the depth and soul of the malbec grape and bringing out its finest characteristics. The deep violet color alone tells you that you are in for something different; and you will not be disappointed. This full bodied wine is alive with the flavors and aromas of cassis, and cherries with chocolate, coffee, plum and spice dancing in the background. Here is another red wine that can accompany all of the red meat dishes as well as many of the Italian or Spanish dishes. The Gauchezco 2008 Mendoza Oro Malbec is an exceptional sidestep from the traditional red wines and one we feel, will expand your wine appreciation vista.