Off-the-Beaten Wine Route in South America
Side streets are always the most fun to travel. When I am traveling without an agenda, my favorite thing to do is to start wandering. There is no better way to take in a new (or old) city than to choose a direction and just go. I find that my approach to wine is similar. I love exploring and learning—it is one of the best things about wine that there are always new things to discover or a new way to approach an old favorite. Below are just a couple of off the beaten path wines from South America.
2022 Altos Las Hormigas "Colonia Las Liebres" Bonarda Mendoza $12.99 92TA Bonarda is a variety that has a deep history in the Americas—in fact there are a number of old, small vineyards in California with this grape, though we call it Charbono here. No matter what we call it, it is a delicious, lighter-bodied variety, with lots of bright cherry fruit, a hint of earth, and enough tannins to give it some substance. It is a wine that was made for the summer: fire up the grill, throw some sausages or burgers on it, and enjoy a simple, easy drinking red, maybe even with a slight chill.
2021 J. Bouchon "Canto Sur" Red Blend Maule Valley $12.99 95DC This is another “only in Chile” kind of wine. From the southern part of their Central Valley, this is a blend of three very common varieties for the region: Carménère, Carignan, and País. This is a wine that has the bright fruit of the Carménère, the intensity of the Carignan, and a little of the savory intrigue of País. How does that all come together? Deliciously. This is a great substitute for a Southern Rhône red. It might be a touch lighter, but it will have more complexity and tension. Again, this is another great wine for this time of year.
2022 Kaiken Torrontés Cafayate $15.99 Torrontés is an aromatic white variety from Argentina. One of the best terroirs for this unique grape is in the Salta Valley in Northern Argentina, a very short 1200km drive North from Mendoza. It is planted in the high desert—it is not uncommon to see cactus on the outskirts of the vineyards there. I have recently decided to call Torrontés the “cilantro” of aromatic white wines. You either love it or hate it. This is a fantastic way to get acquainted with this delicious grape. It has attractive floral tones on the nose, but it is crisp and focused on the palate. This makes a great aperitif and a fun wine to pair with exotic foods like Indian.
2023 Marichal Albarino Canelones Uruguay $17.99 92DS I love being able to include wine from Uruguay in a list like this. This country is best known for the very intense Tannat grape; however Albarino quickly has become a popular choice to plant. It is a varietal that can handle the humid climate and maintain acidity in a warmer climate. A smart choice for the farmer and a delicious one for us, it is reminiscent of its Spanish cousins from Rías Baixas but with just a little more fruit and body. It is refreshing, and it has a fun minerality on the finish.