Category Archives: South American Wines

Malbec: a primer

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Bill Ward

What a journey. Malbec was famed as the “black wine” of the Middle Ages; was a longtime staple in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux; became a non-factor in the former and fell out of favor in the latter after a … Continue reading →

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Malbec recommendations

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Bill Ward

Finding a good malbec is easy. Finding one that’s a really good value is tougher. Most Argentinian renditions tend to be acceptable for the price, but many are overly jammy or over-oaked, or both. The ones from Cahors (that reach these … Continue reading →

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My kind o’ chart

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Bill Ward

Just added to my Xmas list (darlin’, you can buy it here):     

Posted in Bubbles, California Wines, Dessert Wines, European Wines, South American Wines | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Oct. 1-7

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Let’s face it, Chile does a much better job of producing cabs that drink above their price point. In the case of the 2010 Viña Bisquertt Colchaqua Valley “La Joya” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($11), make that way above the price point. Dark … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: May 7-13

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: As malbecs go, the Dominio del Plata Crios de Susana Balbo Mendoza  ($15) is particularly “thick,” dark and brooding, big on the oak and the fruit and the tannins. That hefty balance results in plenty of structure, making this a decent option … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: April 2-8

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: A few years back, I had high hopes that carmenere from Chile would come to rival Argentinian malbec as a go-to red from South America. That still could happen if we get more wines like the Concha Y Toro Xplorador Carmenere ($8). Like most malbecs, it’s … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: March 5-11

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: I love floral wines, but sometimes that element can be too much of a good thing, especially with torrontés. The Piattelli Cafayate Premium Torrontés ($15) tames this by aging 20 percent of the juice in new French oak. The result is a subdued … Continue reading →

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Wine Country travelogue: Cafayate, Argentina

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Bill Ward

(This is one in a series of travel guides to wine regions by people whom I trust mightily.  Steven is a travel buff and wine savant with impeccable taste.) By Steven Walker South American wines offer value, taste and variety, and … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Jan. 9-15

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: I’m one of those people who likes rosé enough to drink it year-round. If more of the pink stuff was as delicious as the Michel Torino Calchaqui Valley Malbec Rosé 2011 ($13), everyone would be that way. There are gobs of lively, … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Nov. 7-13

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Bill Ward

Everyday: There’s no telling what one will get when sampling a chardonnay from Argentina. But with the Bodega Elena de Mendoza Chardonnay 2010 ($11), it’s freshness, on the nose, the palate and the finish. There’s some seriously tasty fruit of the citrus, … Continue reading →

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