Most of the grape varietals we see on the shelves from new world countries are made from grapes that have a French origin. Transplanted to new homes or countries many have become iconic and even brought fame to these new lands. This week, I'm looking at three such grapes that have successfully established themselves in the Southern Hemisphere.
Trapiche
Pure Valle De Uco
2012 Malbec (853226)
Argentina
$17.99
The Andes Mountain range makes Argentina and Chile unique places to produce wine. Generally around the world, wine-making grapes are grown in areas located between 30 and 50 degrees latitude. Above or below this latitude range means the temperature is usually either too hot or cold to produce good wines. However, the high altitudes of the Andes cool the climate allowing vineyards to be located in its foothills, sometimes over 9000 feet. Cooler temperatures allow grapes to mature more slowly.
Argentina has taken on the Malbec grape with gusto. Malbec originates from France's Bordeaux region where it is a minor grape used for blending and in Cahor where we'll see it as a single varietal. In Argentina, it is most prominent in the Uco Valley.
I wish this Trapiche Pure Malbec was my first experience with the grape. The wine is 100% Malbec and it hasn't had any time in oak. All you are getting is a pure and simple Malbec and what better way to judge a grape than this.
Simple, isn't a good description of the wine, though, it's more than that. The colour is a deep plum purple and good aroma of ripe plum and black cherry. The scent of pepper and something floral rounds out the aroma of dark and ripe fruit. In the mouth, this full-bodied wine is rich with black fruit and has some good tannin that suggests serving it with a beef dish would be very suitable.
OOPS
2013 Carmnre (72777)
Chile
$14.99
I don't think anyone planned for Carmnre to become Chile's signature grape. In fact, for more than a century no one knew it was there. Originally from France's Bordeaux wine region, an immigrant probably brought it with them to Chile. Over time, it was blended in with Merlot grapes. In the meantime, a nasty little root louse was busy devastating the vineyards of Europe. While the Carmnre grape never really recovered in France where only a smattering of plants remain, it was rediscovered in the mid-1990s in Chile where it has quickly became the country's signature grape.
This Carmnre grape is a deep purple in the glass too, but it also has some red fruit highlights unlike the previous Malbec. The aromas are of those same black fruits but this Carmnre also has some red fruit aromas. Along with the plum it has aromas of currant and red cherry. Another aroma that I often find in Carmnre is a distinct honey aroma. I will even find this on the palate, but doesn't mean it is sweet in any way, but there is a flavour of honey. This is a medium-bodied wine; though it still has a mouth-filling fruit forward quality, with fine tannins and a light touch of acidity. It's a nice wine to just sit around and sip with friends in the evening or served with grilled chicken or beef burgers.
Spier
2013 Signature Chenin Blanc (659037)
South Africa
$13.90
Like Chile's Carmnre grape, South Africa's Chenin Blanc was also almost lost. For more than a couple of hundred years, this grape was called Steen. In the mid-1960s, the mistake was identified. This didn't deter the popularity of this grape -- as much as 1/5th of all the grapes planted in South Africa are Chenin Blanc. If that doesn't make it a signature grape, I'm not sure what will.
In the glass, this white wine is pale yellow with green highlights. Its appearance is as bright and fresh as its aromas. Citrus fruit is the first thing I noticed on the nose but then as the wine warmed in the glass the apple and peach become evident. On the palate, it is clean and crisp with some apple and tropical fruit flavours; there is a steely mineral or stone quality to this wine that is also present on the nose. The finish is clearly more citrus-like with its mouth-watering acidity. I think this is a perfect wine for fresh shellfish or anything from the sea.
Al Spoklie
Product Consultant
BC Signature Liquor Store
Pine Centre Mall
Prince George
