Today, despite the country's economic woes, there seems to be no
stopping Argentine wine. In large part, that has to do with Malbec.
Argentina's signature grape found itself in the right place at the
right time. The world is ready for the deep, ripe, juicy flavors of
this varietal, which somehow manages to remain unassuming in spite
of its rising superstar status. And be sure to take the Argentines'
advice: Malbec really comes into its own when matched with a
grilled steak.
The best Argentine wines, whether from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, or Chardonnay, combine verve and power with elegance and
style, a description that could be applied to the Argentines
themselves. Catena's influence is felt in some of the most
promising wines coming out of Mendoza today, including new boutique
labels such as Cobos and Susana Balbo.
Laura Catena now produces
her own line of ultrapremium wines under the Luca label, and her
brother Ernesto produces Tikal.
Meanwhile, not content to sit quietly as the father of modern
Argentine wine,
Nicolás Catena continues to push the en-velope. He
announced a much-anticipated joint venture with Domaines Barons de
Rothschild of Lafite to create a new proprietary wine from Malbec
and Cabernet. Last year, the company unveiled its stunning
state-of-the-art winery, Bodega Catena Zapata, which Nicolás
Catena, an archaeology buff, designed in the shape of a Mayan
pyramid. Rising step by step into the sky, the terraced structure
seems to symbolize
Argentina's dramatic ascent to excellence.
appétit and a recent winner of the james beard foundation award for
his radio program, "the lifestyle minute."
chad windham is a dallas-based photographer who has done
work for the
nba, and
southwest spirit and
tycoon
magazines.
tastes
1997 la rural felipe rutini merlot, tupungato, mendoza,
$20