Like Tannat finding a home in Uruguay from Europe, Malbec is another transplant from France to South America that is doing exceptionally well there. On April 17 in 1853, Argentina’s wine industry transformed when French soil expert Michel Aimé Pouget showed Argentineans how to adapt French varietals, including Malbec, to Argentina. Wines of Argentina created Malbec World Day on April 17 to celebrate Malbec from Argentina and “to position Argentine Malbec as one of the most prominent in the world.” Every April 17th, and throughout the month of April, look for different activities around the globe about Argentinean Malbec.
Wine has been made in Argentina since the 1500s, and today Argentina is one of the top five producing wine countries in the world. Continue reading →
Uruguay Tames Tannat: hearty wines pair with rich flavors
While Tannat came from France to northern Uruguay, it is in this small South American nation wedged between Argentina and Brazil that Tannat has made a name for itself. Pascual Harriague brought Tannat vines from his native Basque region to Salto, northern Uruguay in 1870. Harriague’s fate is tied so intimately with Tannat that it became known by his name, and
Tannat Day is held annually today, on the 14th April –the day Harriague passed away in 1894.
Tannat pairs well with rich robust cheeses like cheddar and smoky foods
The Ojai Vineyard Hybrid Wines 2022 The Ojai Vineyard Estate White, Ventura County 2021 The Ojai Vineyard Paseante Noir, Ventura County
How can farmers and winemakers mitigate against possible disasters imposed by fire, drought, pests, weather?
The climate crisis and increased heat globally has changed weather patterns; the seemingly ceaseless and dependable summer coastal California fog is less dependable. The ever present threat of Pierce’s and other disease vectors is worse with the stress of global warming. Increased intense heat in the vineyards along with drought conditions further threaten grape vines.
One answer to these myriad problems? Hybrid grapes farmed in experimental ways like what Adam Tolmach is doing at The Ojai Vineyard with vines from UC Davis planted in 2017.
Adam and Helen Tolmach; all photos by Gwendolyn Alley
“We are the living links in a life force that moves and plays around and through us, binding the deepest soils with the farthest stars.” ― Alan Chadwick
Eclipse chasing. Like millions of people in the US on Monday April 9, I traveled to be transfixed and transformed, made giddy and tearful, by the spring 2024 solar eclipse.
As the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun casting a shadow on us in the Texas Hill Country, the clouds parted, we sipped sparkling wine from Frey Vineyards, we experienced totality along the Rio Frio near Leakey, and we gazed at the Sun without needing protection for over four minutes.
Hello fans and family! I’m in New Mexico camping at Faywood Hot Springs with a bunch of my friends from Burning Man. We’re all headed for Texas to watch the eclipse, and for me, there’ll be wine tasting too! Did you know they grow grapes and make wine in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas? Yes! Driving the 10 you’ll see signs for various AVAs–American Viticultural If you know, got any tips? I’m going to try to visit wineries in all three states. and I’m staying with Frey winery folks organic and biodynamic pioneers from Mendocino. More on all that soon!
But first, there’s exciting news from the Wine Travel Awards in this email I received today!
4 Wine Women of the World and 4 of Their White Wines Paired with Shrimp and Chicken Penne
Since March is Women’s History Month, we took a quick roam around the cellar to find wines from women from around the world to pair with one of Sue’s and her mom’s favorite go to dinners: shrimp and chicken penne rustica, an easy dish for their weekly Wednesday night get togethers which they love to pair with red wines like Sangiovese and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. The recipe to me said to try it with these four white wines where women are involved with producing them. We were pleased with the results, and you will be too!
Ventura Visit With Wildflower Winery’s Woman Winemaker Natalie Albertson
With their pastoral beauty, I love visiting vineyards surrounding wineries–don’t you?. But urban wineries and tasting rooms can be fun too– and often closer to home! Recently, my writing partner Sue Hill and I drove just a few miles from my house in Ventura to Wildflower Winery to check out the space, and to meet up with woman winemaker and winery owner Natalie Albertson to taste through a selection of her wines in bottle — plus two in barrel! Sue made a beautiful charcuterie board which we brought with us — and you can bring a picnic too on your next winery visit! Keep reading for ideas (just be sure to check if they allow outside food first).
Wildflower Winery’s Natalie Albertson getting a sample for us
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 