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VAIL, Colorado — I am excited to announce that on Saturday I will be co-hosting the Argentine Wine Seminar for the Bon Appétit Culinary and Wine Focus at Spago at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch. Along with my good friend, Steve Olson, Bon Appetit’s wine and spirits consultant and a general drinks guru, we will present and discuss some of the countries most-celebrated wines. Argentina is a country that I greatly admire for two reasons: the people and the wine. You can find kind passionate people in Argentina as well as good wine.
As the master sommelier at Spago Bachelor Gulch, I am frequently asked to recommend a wine at a good value. To this, I often recommend something from Argentina. Argentina is home to many international grape varieties such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Two signature grapes to highlight are the white Torrentés and Argentina’s greatest gift to the wine world, red Malbec. Torrentés are light-bodied, dry and exotically-scented, while the Malbec grapes are densely-colored, rich, fruit-forward and spicy.
Good producers are easy to find in this country for several reasons; vineyard land is relatively inexpensive, labor is readily-available, old-vineyard plantings already exist and very good vintages are the norm. However, what sets Argentina’s wines apart from others are the perfectly-situated, high-altitude vineyards that abut up to the Eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains. In fact, the highest vineyards in the world are located in Argentina’s northern province of Salta, at an altitude of up to 9,900 feet.
These high altitudes impart unique characteristics to the grapes and, in an attempt to ward off the intense UV-rays, the grape’s skin thickens. The economics and climate of Argentina allow the country to produce wines that are good-value alternatives to the similarly voluptuous California bottlings. Come experience the gifts of Argentina this Saturday, at 3 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.bonappetitfocus.com or call 888-920-2787.
Sean Razee is the beverage director and sommelier for Spago at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch on Beaver Creek Mountain. He currently holds the Master Sommelier diploma from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Razee is one of 96 Master Sommeliers in the United States and the only person in the Vail Valley that holds the distinguished certification.
As the master sommelier at Spago Bachelor Gulch, I am frequently asked to recommend a wine at a good value. To this, I often recommend something from Argentina. Argentina is home to many international grape varieties such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Two signature grapes to highlight are the white Torrentés and Argentina’s greatest gift to the wine world, red Malbec. Torrentés are light-bodied, dry and exotically-scented, while the Malbec grapes are densely-colored, rich, fruit-forward and spicy.
Good producers are easy to find in this country for several reasons; vineyard land is relatively inexpensive, labor is readily-available, old-vineyard plantings already exist and very good vintages are the norm. However, what sets Argentina’s wines apart from others are the perfectly-situated, high-altitude vineyards that abut up to the Eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains. In fact, the highest vineyards in the world are located in Argentina’s northern province of Salta, at an altitude of up to 9,900 feet.
These high altitudes impart unique characteristics to the grapes and, in an attempt to ward off the intense UV-rays, the grape’s skin thickens. The economics and climate of Argentina allow the country to produce wines that are good-value alternatives to the similarly voluptuous California bottlings. Come experience the gifts of Argentina this Saturday, at 3 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.bonappetitfocus.com or call 888-920-2787.
Sean Razee is the beverage director and sommelier for Spago at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch on Beaver Creek Mountain. He currently holds the Master Sommelier diploma from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Razee is one of 96 Master Sommeliers in the United States and the only person in the Vail Valley that holds the distinguished certification.
Recommended Argentine Wines:
Luca “Beso de Dante” Red BlendColomé Estate Malbec
Catena Alta Malbec
