Tag Archives: Finca Buenaventura

December Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese Clubletivaz-cheeseGenillard Philippe and Marianne
L’Etivaz AOP
Ormont-Dessus, Switzerland

L’Etivaz AOP is a hard alpine cheese produced by hand in over 100 creameries in the Vaud Alps between May and October using raw milk, under an open fire and the traditional recipe. The long ripening process brings out the rich, powerful aromas which come from the large amounts of herbs the cows consume. This is an excellent dessert cheese, fondue, or cheese that will compliment many cuisines. Members will enjoy two distinctive varieties of the L’Etivaz AOP, both a floral and onion style.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: When pairing wine with this cheese, reach for a Crisp Chardonnay, a Fruity Barbera d’Alba, or a Fruity Pinot Noir. For beer, grab something light and crisp, such as a Hard Cider.

WINESTYLES: Crisp or Fruity
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

PRODUCTION:
The Alpine pastures are situated at an altitude of between 1,000 to 2,000 meters. The raw milk comes from cows which graze on the natural pastures of the Vaud Alps and Alpine foothills. It is these pastures, rich in wild flowers, that create the aroma and provide the unique flavor of L’Etivaz AOP. To make the cheese, the milk from the evening milking is stocked in churns until the following morning, when the cheesemaker skims off the cream with a ladle. The evening milk and morning milk are then poured into a copper cauldron. The milk, enriched with lactic bacteria obtained from the production center itself, is gently heated to 89.6°F over a wood fire. The cheesemaker then adds the rennet, which consists of natural enzymes extracted exclusively from the abomasum of young calves. After stirring the milk for a few minutes the cheesemaker stops the mixer and allows the milk to rest so that it can curdle.

The cheesemaker then stretches a cheesecloth on a rod, slides it under the curds and lifts out the cheese mass which he then puts into a mould and presses. The wheel of cheese thus formed must subsequently be turned over several times. The producer then puts the L’Etivaz AOP casein mark on it as well as his initials in order to be able to guarantee traceability. The wheels remain in the press until the following morning. Weighing between 33 and 84 lbs., the wheels are rubbed with cheese dairy salt and kept at the alpine production center for a maximum of 7 days. For more information, click here.

 

© Fabrice Wagner – L’Etivaz AOP
Photo by: L’Etivaz AOP
Photo by: L’Etivaz AOP
Photo by: L’Etivaz AOP
© L’Etivaz AOP

 

Monthly Cheese ClubDon’t let your Wine Club go home alone!

Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!

If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club!  Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely!  Click to learn more >

November Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubCrucolo Il Piu SaporitoRifugio Crucolo
Crucolo Il Piu Saporito
Scurelle, Italy

Crucolo “Il Piu Saporito”, which means “more tasty”, is a semi-hard, mild asiago cheese coming from the Trentino region in northern Italy. The milk to make this cheese is selected from the cows that roam the pastures beneath the Trento Mountains. Crucolo has a surprisingly tangy finish to its creamy flavor.

The center is white and buttery with diffused and uniform holes, making for a very characteristic cheese. The sub-crust is evenly distributed – an indicator of great attention to detail during the ripening period. The ripening process lasts over 60 days, and must be performed under optimum temperature and humidity conditions. In the aging period, the cheese forms are wetted and washed with water, then turned twice a week. The final product boasts flavors that are sweet, slightly sour, and perfectly salty with a slight bitter-spicy note.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Reach for our November Wine Club wine, Finca Buenaventura Aureo Cabernet Sauvignon, when pairing with this cheese. For beer, grab a Hard Cider or a Porter when pairing with this cheese.

WINESTYLES: Bold
BEERSTYLES: Fruity and Spicy

ABOUT RIFUGIO CRUCOLO:
The company takes its name from the place where it was built, and still today is the restaurant Rifugio Crucolo, on the “top” of the mountain in the heart of Val Campelle- halfway between the Valsugana and the Lagorai mountain range.

The Crucolo Refuge has entered the register of historic businesses, as it has remained in the same family management since 1782. Thanks to the love and loyalty of customers, the Crucolo company continues to grow each year. Today, they are exporting their own brand of cured meats, cheeses, and liqueurs worldwide.

GarrotxaSant Gil d’Albió
Garrotxa
Catalonia, Spain

Gorratxa, pronounced ‘ga-ROCH-ah’, is a semi-ripened cheese with a natural flowery rind. Made with pasteurized goat’s milk, it is creamy and compact texture in the cut. This moist and cakey Catalonian import is fast becoming Spain’s most famous goat cheese. Crafted in the foothills of Northern Spain, Garrotxa offers a white pepper piquancy and looks like a river-stone. Its milky, delicate taste is not at all typical of a goat’s cheese. The full-bodied cheese is rich in flavor with a soft paste and a moist, creamy, yet almost flaky, texture. It is covered by a velvety grey mould coating that lends it a woody aroma, yet the rind is not ideal for eating. Garrotxa’s flavor is reminiscent of damp earth underlined by slightly nutty & herbal essences.

HOW IT IS MADE:
Made with pasteurized goat’s milk, then aged for several weeks in caves to ensure the delicately, cakey texture won’t harden up.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, pair with a Cava or the Finca Buenaventura Aureo Chardonnay from this month’s Wine Club. The clean, lactic qualities of the cheese strike harmoniously with the fruitiness of these two wines.  For beer, look to pair with a Farmhouse Ale or Sour from our Sour, Tart and Funky or Fruity and Spicy sections.

WINESTYLES: Silky, Nectar, or Bubbly
BEERSTYLES: Sour, Tart and Funky, or Fruity and Spicy

ABOUT SANT GIL D’ALBIÓ:
Sant Gil d’Albió is a family business in Catalonia, Spain, with 35 years of experience in the production of artisanal cheeses. Currently produce close to 90,000 kg (about 198,416 pounds) of cheese a year; their products are made in an artisanal way, producing only the highest quality of cheeses. Sant Gil d’Albió exports about 40% of their production, mainly shipping to the United States and throughout Europe.

Sant Gil d’Albió is a dynamic, growing company; expanding their range of products and modernizing their facilities, without forgetting their roots. They are a leading company in the production of artisanal cheese in Catalonia, receiving various awards for the quality of their products, including Garrotxa cheese, Lactium d’Or 2019 award.

The family business is part of the ‘Lal de Cabres Catalanes’ label, a group of farmers and cheesemakers that defend the consumption of products made with local milk. They continuously maintain the quality of all cheeses and ensure all products are sold at a fair price.

Monthly Cheese ClubDon’t let your Wine Club go home alone!

Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!

If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club!  Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely!  Click to learn more >

Finca Buenaventura Aureo Cabernet Sauvignon

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Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

© Karina from Cafe Delites

“The easiest Brussels Sprouts recipe for the holidays! Roasted Brussels Sprouts need little amount of prep work, ingredients and cooking time to make them absolutely incredible.” – Karina

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts washed and dried
  • 4 ounces (120 g) diced bacon or pancetta
  • 1/4 cup good olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic crushed or finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze or more to serve

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a large baking pan with nonstick cooking oil spray or a light coating of oil. Set aside.
  • Trim the ends of sprouts and cut in half lengthwise.
  • Arrange brussels sprouts, any loose leaves, bacon and garlic on the pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss well and spread mixture out in a single layer.
  • Roast sprouts, turning once through cooking, until tender with charred edges. The bacon will be cooked and crispy (about for 25-30 minutes).
  • Toss with the balsamic vinegar. Adjust taste with extra salt and pepper, if needed. Serve immediately.
  • © Photo and Recipe courtesy of Karina at Cafe Delites

NOVEMBER WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoAureo cabernet SauvignonFinca Buenaventura
Aureo Cabernet Sauvignon
Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

BOLD WINE STYLE

All Finca Buenaventura wines come from their single vineyard, each one has a special treatment in the vineyard to achieve a different result. Each has its own identity. Each wine is the best expression of each type of soil in the of land. Each small micro terroir is different: stony, alluvial, sandy, mixed, volcanic terraces, and limestone spots. All are irrigated by defrosted water from the Andes Mountains, giving amazing mineral notes to the wine. This blessed spot in Uco Valley has 300 sunny days per year with very high temperatures during the day and very cold temperatures at night. The common thread between all of the wines is the consistent warmth, the cool nights, and the long growing season. Most of Finca Buenaventura’s wines are weighty and bold in structure, while also having floral nuances. Their wines are vibrant and exuberant on their own, and do not need cosmetic, excessive oak to mask the fruit.

The ripeness of the fruit is the most outstanding quality of this wine. The nose highlights intense red fruit aromas of raspberries, cherries, pepper and vanilla. The flavor ends sweet in the mouth with flavors of jam.

Sergio Sergio Giménez

Winemaker: Sergio Giménez

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Analysis: 13.9% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.7
Acidity: 5.4 g/L
Residual Sugar: 2.8 g/L
Aging: French & American Oak
Harvested: Middle of April
Altitude: 3680 feet
Winemaker: Sergio Giménez

“Located at the foot of the Andes Mountains in the best sub-zone of Mendoza, Uco Valley, we named our winery for life’s Great Adventure. Our wines are unique as a result of growing grapes that drink pristine snowmelt and sun bathe under the blue sky at high altitude. Our estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a taste of this magical place. We made this wine to share with you, as you create your own journey.” – Winemaker, Sergio Giménez

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

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Finca Buenaventura Aureo Chardonnay

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Caramelized Onion, Apple and Brie Tartlets

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INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 3 Medium Onions, thinly sliced (about 7 cups)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Minced Fresh Thyme
  • 1 Sheet Frozen Puff Pastry
  • 1-6 oz. Granny Smith Apples (peeled, quartered, cored, thinly sliced, crosswise)
  • 2-6 oz. Wedges of Chilled Brie Cheese (rind removed, cheese cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices, each slice cut crosswise into thirds)

DIRECTIONS:

  • STEP 1: Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until deep golden brown, about 30 minutes. Mix in thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate).
  • STEP 2: Roll out pasty on lightly floured work surface to 12-inch square. Cut pastry lengthwise into six 2-inch-wide strips. Cut strips crosswise into 2-inch squares, for a total of 36 squares. Place pastry squares, spacing apart, on 2 large baking sheets. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
  • STEP 3: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons onion mixture atop each pastry square. Top with 2 apple slices. Bake until pastry is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Top each square with 1 piece cheese and bake just until cheese melts, about 3 minutes. Transfer to serving platter.
  • © Recipe from Bon Appétit (December 2000 Catalog)

NOVEMBER WINE CLUB:

Silky styleAureo ChardonnayFinca Buenaventura
Aureo Chardonnay
Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

SILKY WINE STYLE

Finca Buenaventura was established in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina, sitting 1174 meters above sea level at the foot of the Andes Mountain Range. With great passion and commitment the Finca Buenaventura team began an innovative project by buying the land and getting to know each sector and soil of their 100-hectare area. Their farm is a fusion of the best terroir in Argentina and people committed to a project of excellence, respect for nature, teamwork, and honesty.

This wine is a greenish yellow Chardonnay with golden reflections. The nose expresses typical fruit aromas of the variety: pear and green apple combines with very attractive mineral notes. The mouth shows all of its fruity profile with freshness and liveliness, while having volume and roundness. Its acidity adds freshness, which is expressed in a long, deep and tasty finish.

Winemaker: Sergio Gimenez

Winemaker: Sergio Gimenez

Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Acidity: 6.37 g/L
Residual Sugar: 1.80 g/L
Aging: 100% in French oak
Harvested: By hand, first week of March
Altitude: 1,200 meters above sea level
Winemaker: Sergio Gimenez

“We feel that as we got off the train of family’s tradition passed down from our parents, we went our own path and followed our own dreams and passions. That is why we will be “Descarriados“ for the rest of our lives; and this is what we leave our children: follow your dreams and work hard to achieve your goals.” – Winemaker, Sergio Gimenez


Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn More >

November Wine Club Pairing Recipe

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Easy Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake

© Little Spice Jar

Malbecs beg to be paired with full-bodied foods such as leaner red meats, dark meat turkey, pepper, sage, creamy mushroom sauces and melted cheese. Reach for Finca Buenaventura’s Aureo Punto Malbec and this Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake for the perfect post-Thanksgiving meal.

Easy Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake

  •  12 ounces cooked egg noodles or Pappardelle
  •  2 tablespoons butter
  •  1 pound baby Bella mushrooms, thinly sliced
  •  1 ½ jar (22 ounces total) prepared Alfredo sauce
  •  1 ½ cups turkey or chicken stock
  •  ½ cup ricotta cheese
  •  2 teaspoons garlic powder
  •  2 teaspoons dried basil
  •  ⅛ – ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  •  1 cup defrosted peas
  •  2 cups shredded or diced turkey or chicken
  •  1 ½ cup shredded (or diced) white cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

  • PREP: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a nonstick 13 x 9 baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
  • SAUTE: Heat the butter in a large saucepan and saute the mushrooms over medium-high heat until they brown; about 7-9 minutes. Then, stir in the Alfredo sauce, chicken stock, and ricotta cheese. Season with garlic powder, basil, and red pepper flakes. When the sauce is smooth and heated through, stir in the peas and turkey (or chicken.) Then, fold in the prepared egg noodles and stir to combine.
  • BAKE: Add the prepared turkey pasta mixture to the baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. Bake the turkey pasta for 15-18 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. You could also give it a minute under the broiler at the end to help it along. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley on top, if desired, and serve!
  • © Recipe courtesy of Marzia, Little Spice Jar.

NOVEMBER WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoAureo Punto MalbecFinca Buenaventura
Aureo Punto Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina

BOLD WINE STYLE

Finca Buenaventura means “Great Adventure” in Spanish. Finca is an award-winning winery located in the premier subzone of Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina. Recognized with numerous awards from Decanter Magazine and the British press, these wines are now exclusively available at WineStyles for the first time in the US.

Located an hour’s drive south from the city of Mendoza, the region is home to the production of Argentina’s icon grape variety: Malbec. It shines in the Uco Valley, with a distinctive floral aroma. It is considered part of the Mendoza region, but the Uco Valley can be recognized in its own right on several counts. Among Uco’s merits is its higher-altitude location at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The valley benefits from high daytime temperatures which drop to cool temperatures at night; this allows the grapes to produce balanced sugars and acidity while achieving phenolic ripeness. The dry continental climate brings little rain. Soils in the Uco Valley are alluvial and fairly uniform: a clay and rock base with a stony, sandy surface. These free-draining soils are excellent for quality viticulture as they stress the vines, leading to decreased vigor, lower yields, and consequently wines with a higher concentration of flavor.

Ruby in color with sparkling purple blue notes, the Aureo Punto Malbec has an intense nose of red fruit aromas, raspberries, cherries, pepper and vanilla. The mouth showcases a velvet like sensation with an open start, and a long end.

Varietal: 100% Malbec
Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.7
Acidity: 5.4 g/L
Residual Sugar: 2.8 g/L
Aging: French & American Oak
Harvested: Middle of April
Altitude: 3680 feet

Sergio Giménez

Winemaker: Sergio Giménez

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Fernando del Castillo and Ana Maria Delmar started this project in 2003 when they were looking for the perfect spot to establish an innovative idea: produce the best expression of the soil and sky. They found the land situated at the foothill, and on the aquifer, at an altitude of 3852 feet, protected by 180 degrees of mountains. They studied the land for more than one year, and began working. By 2005, the Finca Buenaventura vineyard was complete.

Fernando and Ana Maria belong to a completely different backgrounds. Fernando was a successful lawyer, participating in the Constitutional Reform as a consultant and constituent; while Ana Maria was a language and literature professor at a university.  Both returned to school to be prepared for this challenge; they studied agri-business and marketing and continue to grow their knowledge at the vineyard and winery.

They are proud of having a fantastic, hard working team. Even their son and daughters, who have their own professions – an Oenologist, a Designer and an Agronomical Engineer- are all deeply involved in their family’s project. They understand the family’s idea that wine is an expression of art and are responsible of the vineyard with their 20 to 150 workers in harvest time.

ABOUT SERGIO GIMÉNEZ:
Sergio received his Bachelor of Oenology and Fruit and Vegetable Industry in 1996. He received the titles of Senior Winemaker and Senior Technician in Fruit and Vegetable Industries, awarded by the “Don Bosco” Wine School.  After graduation, Sergio went on to be a secretary, advisor and winemaker for many different wineries throughout Argentina.

In July 2009, Sergio became the first winemaker of Mi Terruño Winery, located in the region of Maipú, Argentina. He helped make premium and super premium varietals, bottling them with the brands such as Uvas, Mi Terruño Reserva and Mayacaba, scored with more than 90 points by specialized journalists.

In March 2012, Sergio became the winemaker at Finca Buenaventura, where he still works today. He has produced premium and super-premium wines with the brands such as Aureo de Colección, Punto Aureo and Aureo a la Obra. His 2012 vintage of Aureo a la Obra obtained the gold medal in the 2013 Vinandino contest.

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn More >

November Premium Wine Club

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BurburyFinca Buenaventura
Bunbury Blend
Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Bold wine Style logoBOLD WINE STYLE

“Our wines are the expression of this soil and sky: they have structure, intensity, aromas and different levels of flavors. Raspberry and blackberry flavors, roasted notes, spices, and a touch of vanilla. Final length, enveloping and fruity.” 

On the eyes, this wine has an intense deep red color with shades of purple and black. On the nose, it presents complex, red fruits and spices; black fruit, spice and black pepper; and secondary aromas of vanilla and chocolate from the oak. On the mouth it is elegant and creamy with a touch of dried fruit and a long finish. An excellent quality of tannins appear as part of the complexity and body of the wine.

Appellation: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal: Malbec 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%
Analysis: 13.9% alcohol / volume
TA: 5.70 g/l
Residual Sugar: 2.9 g/l
Maturation: Natural cold stabilization unfiltered
Aging: 25% in French & American Oak

DescarriadosFinca Buenaventura
Descarriados Gran Malbec
Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Bold wine Style logoBOLD WINE STYLE

This Malbec has an intense ruby and blue-violet color. The nose has deep scents of red fruits, and the mouth has a velvety sensation from the beginning, with a long end and balanced acidity.

Appellation: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal: Malbec
Analysis: 13.9% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.7 g/l
TA: 5.70 g/l
Residual Sugar: 2.80 g/l
Maturation: Natural cold stabilization unfiltered
Aging: 12 months French & American Oak

Sergio Gimenez

Winemaker: Sergio Gimenez

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Fernando del Castillo and Ana Maria Delmar started this project in 2003 when they were looking for the perfect spot to establish an innovative idea: produce the best expression of the soil and sky. They found the land situated at the foothill, and on the aquifer, at an altitude of 3852 feet, protected by 180 degrees of mountains. They studied the land for more than one year, and began working. By 2005, the Finca Buenaventura vineyard was complete.

Fernando and Ana Maria come from completely different backgrounds. Fernando was a successful lawyer, participating in the Constitutional Reform as a consultant and constituent; while Ana Maria was a language and literature professor at a university.  Both returned to school to be prepared for this challenge; they studied agri-business and marketing and continue to grow their knowledge at the vineyard and winery.

They are proud of having a fantastic, hard working team. Even their son and daughters, who have their own professions – an Oenologist, a Designer and an Agronomical Engineer- are all deeply involved in their family’s project. They understand the family’s idea that wine is an expression of art and are responsible of the vineyard with their 20 to 150 workers in harvest time.

ABOUT SERGIO GIMÉNEZ:
Sergio received his Bachelor of Oenology and Fruit and Vegetable Industry in 1996. He received the titles of Senior Winemaker and Senior Technician in Fruit and Vegetable Industries, awarded by the “Don Bosco” Wine School.  After graduation, Sergio went on to be a secretary, advisor and winemaker for many different wineries throughout Argentina.

In July 2009, Sergio became the first winemaker of Mi Terruño Winery, located in Maipú, Argentina. He helped make premium and super premium varietals, bottling them with the brands such as Uvas, Mi Terruño Reserva and Mayacaba, scored with more than 90 points by specialized journalists.

In March 2012, Sergio became the winemaker at Finca Buenaventura, where he still works today. He has produced premium and super-premium wines with the brands such as Aureo de Colección, Punto Aureo and Aureo a la Obra. His 2012 vintage of Aureo a la Obra obtained a gold medal in the 2013 Vinandino contest.

Wine club logoJoin our PREMIUM WINE CLUB, enjoy amazing wines every other month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn more about our Premium Club >