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Column: Wines with a Spanish, Argentine and Chilean flavour

First stop is a delicious white, the 2018 Menade Verdejo ($22.99), Spain’s most popular white wine variety. The grapes are grown in the Rueda DO (Denominacion de Origen) in northern Spain’s Castilla y Leon region.
Latin wines
Today’s trio of Latin wines, perfect for late summer and autumn enjoyment.

First stop is a delicious white, the 2018 Menade Verdejo ($22.99), Spain’s most popular white wine variety. The grapes are grown in the Rueda DO (Denominacion de Origen) in northern Spain’s Castilla y Leon region. The DO is the control body that enforces the regulations set to guarantee the origin, style and quality.

This high-plateau region enjoys a continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Small family farms have been practicing sustainable farming here for centuries, though Rueda officially became a (DO) in 1980.

Alejandra. Marco, and Richard Sanz, the sixth generation of a wine making family, practice organic farming (ecologica). They grow a high proportion of old vines on chalk and harvest at night to produce vibrant and fresh wines. Fermentations are done in temperature-controlled tanks under a blanket of carbon dioxide using only indigenous yeasts.

I’ve been enjoying Verdejos for many years and this is one of the better ones in terms of complexity, elegance, and affordability. The Menade has a stone fruit bouquet with a juicy ripe nectarine and lemon flavour along with hints of herbs. There’s a lovely mineral quality thanks to being grown on chalk and refreshing acidity to add the liveliness to the flavours. And it ends on a silky mango finish that begs you to have another pour.

Perfect with food such as paella or grilled tuna and delicious sipping it before or after dinner.

Following on this Latin theme, we journey to Argentina and dip our tongues into the 2018 Alamos Malbec ($14.99). Malbec is the country’s signature red grape variety and the Alamos version comes from the Mendoza’s high altitude vineyards in the Andes foothills. It’s mainly Malbec with small portions of Syrah and Bonardo to add more complexity.

In the glass the Malbec is dark purple in colour with blackberries, plum and currants, notes of vanilla and leather, and a full but smooth texture. Affordable and enjoyable! Serve with a thick rib eye steak barbecued over coals and apple woodchips with a chimichurri sauce, just like the gauchos do on the Argentine pampas!

Another affordable South American red is 2019 Escudo Rojo Pinot Noir ($16.99 on sale) from Baron Philippe de Rothschild in Chile. Escudo Rojo? This unusual name is Spanish for the German “Rote Schild” or “red shield, the Rothchild’s family emblem.

The Pinot Noir is made from grapes grown in the Casablanca region of Chile, well known for producing premium whites such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Pinot.

Being made by France’s Baron Philippe de Rothschild with a long history of making some of the best reds in the world, using grapes from one of the best regions in Chile is a winning combination! The Pinot has that gorgeous Burgundy colour: pale cherry red with a hint of ruby. Its bouquet is Burgundian as well. Red berries, forest floor, earthy funky smells entice you to nod your head and smile at your discovery! 

The flavour is also complex with a hint of smoke, cherries, strawberries, spice and that savoury flavour balanced with the fresh acidity and silky smooth texture.  All for $16.99! This Pinot and the other two wines are available at government liquor stores.

Enjoy the Escudo Rojo with duck breast, rosemary and thyme, barbecued salmon with roasted shitakes and mushroom sauce, or lamb bourguignon. “Bon Appetit,” or as they say in Chile, Argentina, and Spain, “Buen provecho.”

Eric Hanson is a life-long Richmond resident, retired teacher and wine educator. Eric has also taught wine appreciation courses in Richmond and throughout Metro Vancouver for many years. He continues to be a journalistic ambassador for the enchanting world of wine through his weekly column.