Tag Archives: winestyles

Rangel Ranch Sauvignon Blanc

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Thai, Shrimps, Green, Curry.Easy Thai Shrimp Curry

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 red pepper sliced
  • 3 tablespoons green onions (whites parts, coarsely chopped)
  • 4 ounces green curry paste
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 1–15 ounce can coconut milk
  • 10 fresh basil leaves torn in pieces
  • salt to taste
  • 1 lime optional for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until it just starts to brown.
  2. Add the sliced red peppers and the white parts of the green onions and cook for 2 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.
  3. Add the curry paste and fry, while stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds. 
  4. Add the fish sauce, coconut sugar and coconut milk and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. 
  5. Add the shrimp, turn off the heat and cover. Let it sit for 10 minutes, until the shrimp has turned pink and is cooked through.
  6. Once the shrimp is cooked, stir in the basil leaves and add any additional salt to taste. Squeeze a touch of fresh lime juice over the top for an extra fresh burst of flavor. 

© Recipe courtesy of Went Here 8 This.

APRIL WINE CLUB:

Silky styleRangel-Ranch-Napa-County-Sauv-Blanc-bottleRangel Ranch
Sauvignon Blanc
Napa County, California

SILKY WINE STYLE

The nose is filled with lime, citrus and quince aromatics supported by fragrant floral and mineral notes with a subtle herbal accent.

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Analysis: 13.7% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.13
TA: 0.63%
RS: 0.06%
Pairing: Thai cuisine, seafood dishes, charcuterie, grilled vegetables, and bright fruit desserts like lemon tarts

Winemaking:
Fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and custom coopered oak followed by 14 months in barrel; very dry, excellent balance.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Rangel Ranch focuses on the traditions of their family making and enjoying food friendly wines. Their wines reflect their family history and heritage in every bottle of their Napa County and North Coast releases. Vintage to vintage, winemaker, Paul Scotto, focuses on wine profiles that have held wide appeal through the decades and remain true to the Rangel family traditions. The reds are oak accented with soft tannins and ready to enjoy right away; while the whites are unoaked, crisp and medium bodied.

ABOUT SCOTTO CELLARS:

The family’s vinous heritage and history dates back to 1883 when Salvatore Dominic Scotto, an officer in the Italian Navy, began making wine at his home on the Island of Ischia, just off the coast of Italy.  In addition to making wine for his family (a long-held custom in Italy), Salvatore also treated his friends and neighbors to the fruits of his labor. 

Great-great grandpa Salvatore passed his skills along to his son Dominic, who migrated to Brooklyn in 1903 and continued the family’s winemaking tradition in America. He carried on the Scotto heritage with his sons who sold their father’s homemade wine in five-gallon crocks from the family’s horse drawn cart. After Prohibition, Anthony Sr. and his older brother Sal created Villa Armando (nicknamed Rustico).  Rustico is still produced today and has filled 200,000,000 glasses since its inception, making it one of California’s oldest wine brands.

Today Scotto Cellars is a 5th-generation family-owned and managed wine producing company.  They take pride in treating team members not only as collaborators but also as family members who are encouraged to think creatively and live with a can-do attitude. For five generations the Scotto family has embraced the Old World traditions of sharing meals and celebrating meaningful moments with friends.  Wine has always been a centerpiece of these events and a reflection of Scotto’s Italian heritage they so proudly embrace.  Read more >

Scotto Cellars 5th Generation

Information © Rangel Ranch – All Rights Reserved.

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April Wine Club Pairing Recipe

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Stuffed Mushrooms

Classic Stuffed Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 ½ pounds white mushrooms cleaned, stems removed
  • stems from mushrooms finely diced
  • 1 sweet onion finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs*
  • 1 cup grated Romano cheese**
  • Kosher salt
  • pepper

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven 400°F.
  2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the stems and onions until the onions are softened and translucent. This should take about 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic and sauté until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  4. Stir in breadcrumbs and Romano cheese. Season with salt and pepper. The cheese is salty, so make sure you taste first then salt.
  5. Stuff the mushrooms with the filling. Use a teaspoon to fill each cap, then pile more on top using the spoon to form a mound.
  6. Place on a parchment or foil lined baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the tops are golden.

© Recipe courtesy of The Genetic Chef.

APRIL WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoRangel-Ranch-North-Coast-Cabernet-Sauvignon-bottleRangel Ranch
Cabernet Sauvignon
North Coast, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

This North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon is medium to full-bodied with multi-layered flavors of dark plums and blackberries with gentle tannins.

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.59
Total Acidity: 0.52%
Residual Sugars: 0.30%
Pairing: Stuffed mushrooms, spaghetti with meatballs, prime rib or roasted potatoes

Winemaking:
Fermented 12 days on the skins at 90ºF. Pumped over 3-4 times daily. Aged 18 months in French and American Oak Barrels.

ABOUT RANGEL RANCH:
Rangel Ranch focuses on the traditions of their family making and enjoying food friendly wines. Their wines reflect their family history and heritage in every bottle of their Napa County and North Coast releases. Vintage to vintage, winemaker, Paul Scotto, focuses on wine profiles that have held wide appeal through the decades and remain true to the Rangel family traditions. The reds are oak accented with soft tannins and ready to enjoy right away; while the whites are unoaked, crisp and medium bodied.

ABOUT SCOTTO CELLARS:

The family’s vinous heritage and history dates back to 1883 when Salvatore Dominic Scotto, an officer in the Italian Navy, began making wine at his home on the Island of Ischia, just off the coast of Italy.  In addition to making wine for his family (a long-held custom in Italy), Salvatore also treated his friends and neighbors to the fruits of his labor. 

Great-great grandpa Salvatore passed his skills along to his son Dominic, who migrated to Brooklyn in 1903 and continued the family’s winemaking tradition in America. He carried on the Scotto heritage with his sons who sold their father’s homemade wine in five-gallon crocks from the family’s horse drawn cart. After Prohibition, Anthony Sr. and his older brother Sal created Villa Armando (nicknamed Rustico).  Rustico is still produced today and has filled 200,000,000 glasses since its inception, making it one of California’s oldest wine brands.

Today Scotto Cellars is a 5th-generation family-owned and managed wine producing company.  They take pride in treating team members not only as collaborators but also as family members who are encouraged to think creatively and live with a can-do attitude. For five generations the Scotto family has embraced the Old World traditions of sharing meals and celebrating meaningful moments with friends.  Wine has always been a centerpiece of these events and a reflection of Scotto’s Italian heritage they so proudly embrace.  Read more >

Scotto Cellars 5th Generation

Information © Rangel Ranch – All Rights Reserved.

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April Collector’s Wine Club: Iowa

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Collectors Wine ClubAudere wine bottleHertelendy Vineyards
Audēre Red Blend 2018
(glow-in-the-dark label)
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

In Latin, Audēre means to dare or to risk. This unique Bordeaux blend is a risk-taker as it defies conventional winemaking methods and boldly stands out. This blend hails from ultra premium, volcanic Napa areas, such as Pritchard Hill, Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak and Hertelendy’s very own Rockwell Ridge estate vineyard (planted in 1993 at 1365 feet, 35 feet below the Howell Mountain AVA). Enjoy a burst of flavor, serious tannins, and a full-bodied mouth feel… plus, the label glows in the dark! 

Analysis: 14.8% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 39% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Harvest Dates: September 26, 2018 – October 30, 2018
Release Date: October 10, 2022
Cooperage: 23 months in 90% French & Hungarian Oak
Growing Season: 2018 was an extraordinary year with the most predictable weather conditions and no heat spikes, which resulted in the longest hang-time on the vines. Vintner, Ralph Hertelendy believes it was the best vintage of the decade.
Cases Produced: 329
Winemakers: Ralph Hertelendy & Phillip Corallo-Titus

CRITIC’S REVIEWS:
“The 2018 ‘Audere’ is another fantastic wine from Hertelendy in this vintage and similar to last years release, this is the most accessible wine from this outstanding lineup. It begins with seductive aromas of ripe blackberries, black cherries currants which are joined by exotic spices, violets, wet gravel, tobacco and hints of earthy nuances all developing in the glass. On the palate this is full-bodied and well-structured with beautifully polished tannins. It displays outstanding concentration and overall balance with a long seamless finish leaving behind flavors of black fruits, tobacco, violets and spices all leave a lasting impression. This is already fantastic, however it also has the structure to take on additional bottle age and evolve gracefully for years to come.” — 95 Points, International Wine Report

2017_SMB_Bottle ImageHertelendy Vineyards
Signature Mountain Blend 2017
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

Composed of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, this limited case production (6 barrels) is the closest wine in Hertelendy Vineyard’s program that could be called an “Estate Wine”, as most of the blend comes from their very own Rockwell Ridge Estate Vineyard (located 35 feet below the Howell Mountain AVA). It is a delectable representation of what their Estate Rockwell Ridge Vineyard (blended with Howell Mountain, Pritchard Hill & Atlas Peak fruit (can produce). 

Analysis: 14.7% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 49% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 1% Petite Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc
Harvest Dates: September 7, 2017 – October 7, 2017
Release Date: February 22, 2021
Cooperage: 23 months in 90% new French & Hungarian Oak
Growing Season: 2017 was a great vintage overall where record-setting winter rains ended their five year drought. A lengthy, moderately warm summer created idyllic conditions for density, ripeness, and concentration. However, the winery lost 50% of their total yield to the fires.
Cases Produced: 150 (6 barrels)
Winemakers: Ralph Hertelendy & Phillip Corallo-Titus

CRITIC’S REVIEWS:

  • 96 Points & Double Gold Medal in the Sunset International Wine Competition
  • “The 2017 Signature Mountain Blend is another stellar wine from Hertelendy in this vintage. This instantly begins to impress as it displays wonderful purity and freshness, releasing gorgeous nuances of ripe cassis, dark cherries and blueberries, which are followed by exotic spices, dark florals, licorice, fresh sage and underlying hints of espresso all taking shape. On the palate this is full-bodied and impeccably balanced, with outstanding concentration and a layered mouthfeel that continues seamlessly through the finish. This is a simply sensational wine that is drinking incredibly well now, but should also hold up beautifully for decades and become even more compelling over time. “— 95 Points, International Wine Report
  • “Coming from the estate property on Howell Mountain, the Bordeaux blend 2017 Signature Mountain Blend has a perfumed, floral, incense, vanilla, and violets tinged bouquet that’s supported by plenty of blue fruits. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has good acidity, a firm, tight, compact feel on the palate, ripe tannins, and outstanding length.” — 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Hertelendy Vineyards is a luxurious, boutique winery that specializes in producing Bordeaux blends from the most ultra premium terroirs that Napa Valley has to offer. Their ancestors have been making wines in Hungary since the 1700’s, and mountainous, volcanic terroir has always been a Hertelendy winemaking tradition. In 2013, Hertelendy Vineyards was founded by Ralph Hertelendy, who acquired this 4 acre vineyard on the slopes of Howell Mountain. Today, Ralph, and Winemaking Consultant, Phillip Corallo-Titus continuously work together to create wines that meet in the middle of their styles – creating beautiful, compromising expressions that otherwise wouldn’t have been made. Learn more about their story here.

Photos, video and information © Hertelendy– All Rights Reserved.

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Winery Spotlight Series: April 11, 2023

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Clos LaChance Vineyards logo
Styles wine bottles with winemaker Steve Driscoll

STYLES Wine Tasting with Clos LaChance Vineyards and Guest Speaker, Steve Driscoll
San Martin, California

Tuesday, April 11, 2023
6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

California Certified Sustainable logoJoin us for an exclusive tasting featuring our STYLES wines, created in collaboration with Clos LaChance winery – a family-owned and certified sustainable winery in California. Steve Drsicoll, Winemaker at Clos LaChance, will be our guest speaker and tasting us through our six Style Wines on the big screen at the store. Discover your favorite wine STYLE with Steve!
 
STYLE Wines Tasted (for tasting notes, click on each style):
  1. CRISP
  2. SILKY
  3. RICH
  4. FRUITY
  5. MELLOW
  6. BOLD

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please contact your local participating WineStyles store. Or, if you prefer to attend remotely, pre-order a wine tasting kit to-go from your local participating store and watch/taste along with us on Zoom.

Jan19_Styles_wines_email-header

About Clos LaChance:

Clos LaChance winery is a multi-generational family-owned and operated winery.  Located within the Central Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA), tucked into the beautiful Hayes Valley in San Martin, California.  Being good stewards of land and resources, the Clos LaChance Winery and Estate Vineyard is proud to be Certified Sustainable by the California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance.  Owners Bill and Brenda Murphy are especially vested in the sustainability of the vineyard and winery—creating a legacy for their children, grandchildren and generations to come.

Sustainability is an ever-evolving practice. As a member of the Central Coast Vineyard Team, Clos LaChance has also actively participated in the Wine Institute Sustainability Self-Assessment Program, identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement. They are proud of current achievements to create an environmentally, economically and socially sound business, and will continue working towards more sustainable practices.

In early 2009, Clos LaChance’s 150-acre Estate vineyard was one of seventeen California vineyards to be Sustainably Certified via the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The production facility was certified shortly thereafter.  Learn more about their winery here.

Clos LaChance Winery

© Clos LaChance Wines

About Steve Driscoll, Winemaker:

Steve Driscoll

© Steve Driscoll

Steve graduated with a degree in Wine and Viticulture from the University of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and spent 2 years roaming the cellar of Edna Valley Vineyards, in which he helped produce fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnays. Afterwards he became Cellar Master for Ruby Hill Winery, one of the oldest wineries in the Livermore Valley, producing great California Zinfandels and Petite Sirahs. In 2009 Steve set off for New Zealand to expand his knowledge of winemaking and new world wines. He worked for a large custom crush facility producing well known staples of the industry, like Kim Crawford and Little Penguin. After traveling the world, Steve came back to the Central Coast California to join the Clos LaChance team. His knowledge of the cellar and his passion for producing fine wines is unrivaled, and possibly only matched, by his passion for Metallica and Def Leppard. Learn more about Steve and the Clos LaChance team here.

Styles-power-twitter-post

Photos and Information © Clos LaChance – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
STYLES Wine Tasting with Clos LaChance Vineyards
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
6:00pm CST/ 7:00pm EST
Cheers!
WineStyles.com
 

March Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubIrishCheddarPorterCladdagh Bó Irish Cheddar Cheese with Porter Beer Limerick, Ireland

Made by the O’Doherty family at their award-winning Old Irish Creamery located in County Limerick on the west coast of Ireland. Their Irish Cheddar with Porter is a creamy pasteurized cow’s milk Irish Cheddar that is covered in original Irish Porter, giving both a deep flavor and beautiful marbled look to this stunning cheese. With superb taste and texture, this new Claddaugh Bó line represents the very best of the cheesemaking traditions from the Emerald Isle. Pairing: Add this stunning cheese to your charcuterie board and wow your guests. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: This cheese pairs beautifully with a Zinfandel wine. For beer, look for a Porter or a Stout (keep the flavors from the cheese going). WINESTYLES: Mellow BEERSTYLES: Dark & Roasty Information © Somerdale International and Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Aged-Red_Leicester-cheeseLong Clawson Dairy Rutland Red Leicestershire, England

This clothbound Red Leicester cheese is produced by Long Clawson Dairy in Leicestershire, England. Made using traditional recipes using pasteurized cow’s milk, this cheese is buttered, cloth-bound and matured for six months to produce a flaky, open texture cheese with a slightly sweet, caramelized flavor and rich golden orange color from the addition of annatto seeds. Its flavors are mellow and toasty with lingering caramel notes. This Rutland Red is an award winning cheese – three gold medals at the Global Cheese Awards,  four gold medals at the Tesco Red Leiscester Trophy and the International Cheese Awards.  Pairing: Serve on a cheese board with pickles and rustic bread, or enjoy grated on top of biscuits, mashed potatoes, stews and Shepard’s Pie. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: This cheese suits a full bodied white wine such as an oaked Chardonnay. If you’re wanting a red wine, partner this cheese with a medium bodied Rioja. For craft beer, look for a Brown Ale. WINESTYLES: Bold and Rich BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy Information © Long Clawson Dairy and Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

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 >

March Beer Club: Iowa

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Malus-Danica-375-bottleCold Hand Winery
2015 Malus Danica 375 ml
Iced Cider / Apple Wine
Denmark

Malus Danica perfectly balances the wonderful aroma, sweetness and acidity of apples. The aroma of honey, sweet applesauce and fresh apple peel pours out of the glass, and the taste is fresh and rich.

ABV: 8.7-9% alcohol / volume
Style: Cider / Apple Ice-Wine
Beer Style at WineStyles: Fruity & Spicy
Recommended Pairings: Enjoy with cheeses, desserts, or as a treat in itself. It is also very good for fatty dishes such as foie gras and rillette. 

PRODUCTION:
Malus Danica is produced using the cryo-concentration method. It contains Danish apple varieties: Ingrid Marie, Filippa, Elstar, Jonagold and Belle de Boskoop. Each apple variety was picked at optimum ripeness, is immediately pressed into must after harvest and frozen immediately afterwards. The must is then dried outside at sub-zero temperatures, where the frost binds the water in the must, while sugar, acid, aroma and color drip off like thick raw syrup. After thawing, the concentrated “apple syrup” is slowly cold-fermented for 18 months into an intense wine, and finally aged for 3 months in barrique. This is the winery’s flagship that started their “Cold Hand Fruit” wine adventure.

WINERY’S NOTES:
“Cryo-concentrating gives us cold hands to that extent, but the technique is nevertheless the basic substance in all our apple, pear and quince wines. With this technique, we can extract the aroma, the towering sugar content and preserve the intense acidity from the fruit in our wines.” – Cold Hand Winery

ABOUT COLD HAND WINERY:
Located out in the countryside between Rangers and Viborg, Cold Hand Winery is surrounded by an apple orchard and picturesque fields. Here, the winery continues to experiment with new tones and flavors of apples, pears, cherries, blackcurrants, currants, rhubarb, quinces, plums and blackberries to bring you closer to the world’s best fruit wine. Their fruit wine adventure is based on a “down-to-earth-ness”, curiosity and a a desire to share the good story. Learn more about the winery here, and follow them on Untappd.

Photos and information © Cold Hand Winery – All Rights Reserved.

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March Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubSchlink_Haus_Kabinett_bottleSchlink Haus
Riesling Kabinett
Nahe, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The Kabinett is the lightest style of Riesling, ranging from dry to off-dry. This wine is delicately sweet and refreshingly brisk.

Varietal: Riesling
Analysis: 11.5% alcohol / volume
Sugar: 26.5 g/L
Acidity: 8.2 g/L
Quality Category: Quality wine with predicate
Style: Semi-sweet
Serving Temperature: 50ºF-53.6ºF
Critical Acclaim: Wine Enthusiast – Top 100 Best Buys of 2019

Schlink_Haus_Spatlese_bottleSchlink Haus
Riesling Spätlese
Nahe, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Spätlese means “late harvest”. This easy-drinking wine is medium sweet in style while balanced by acidity. It carries hints of earthy minerality on the finish.

Varietal: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 9.5-11.5% alcohol / volume
Sugar: 45-50 g/L
Acidity: 5-5.5 g/L
Age of Vines: 3-30 years
Soil: Loamy, sandy and slate
Fermentation Time: 8 weeks
Temperature Range: Cold Fermentation
Fermentation Container: Stainless steel
Critical Acclaim: Wine Enthusiast – Top 100 Best Buys of 2021

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: These sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a soft cheese, such as a brie. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Founded in 1886 by Josef Barthelmeh, the Schlink family is now on its fifth generation of winemaking. The family has produced the blue bottle Riesling for over 200 years (well before any commercial opportunity was created) in Nahe, Germany – located between Mosel and Rhein, it is one of the smaller wine regions in all of Germany. Blessed with an extraordinary range of soil types in this region, including the entire rock cycle of igneous (volcanic), sedimentary (sandstone, clay, limestone), and metamorphic (slate) rocks. This landscape of vineyards, orchards and meadows is intercepted with cliffs and striking geological formations. Learn more here. >

Information © Schlink Haus – All Rights Reserved.

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March Premium Wine Club

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Bold wine Style logoAndes-Plateau-bottleAndes Plateau
Red Blend
Maipo Valley, Chile

BOLD WINE STYLE

This wine has concentration with spicy and herbal notes. It has a firm structure with fine, but persistent tannins. The palate feels fresh with ripe berries and sweet spices. A wine that will age very well in the next 5 years.

Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot
pH: 3.49
Residual Sugar: 1.63
Total Acidity: 5.45
Appellation: Valle del Maipo, Cajón Maipo, Chile
Yield: 1.5 kg/plant
Planted Surface: 3 hectares
Bottle Aging: One year of bottle aging before releasing
Winemaker: Felipe Uribe

SOILS:
Mix of Alluvial Soils from Maipo River with colluvial soils from the Andes Mountains, making it very rocky. This is extremely important for roots to grow deep and secure to ensure a long life for the vines.

CLIMATE:
Towards the end of the season, the grapes ripe slowly and balanced. The altitude allows for fresher climate (average of 39.2ºF) than the lower parts of the valley. Also, the diurnal range is more ample, allowing the plants to have some resting every day.

HARVEST & VINIFICATION:
Harvest was the third and fourth week of March. The grapes are hand selected at the winery and fermentation happens in Concrete vats. Fermentation occurs naturally with native yeast only. The pump overs are very gentle and determined by daily tastings.

AGING AND STORAGE:
Aged in large Austrian wooden vats (foudre) that hold 3,000 liters of wine. The aging time is determined by tasting – in this case, it was 10 months.

Bold wine Style logoVitrea-bottleAndes Plateau
Vitrea Red Blend
Maipo Valley, Chile

BOLD WINE STYLE

Elegant wine with red fruits, graphite and spices. The palate shows freshness, intensity and deepness. Thanks to its acidity, it becomes a versatile wine that can be combined with a wide variety of flavors and foods.

Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot
pH: 3.59
Residual Sugar: 1.63
Total Acidity: 5.45
Appellation: Maipo Valley, Cajón del Maipo, Chile
Yield: 1.5 kg/plant
Planted Surface: 3 hectares
Winemaker: Felipe Uribe

SOILS:
Both terroirs share similar characteristics: Alluvial soils, near riverbeds and Colluvial soils, caused by mountain rock falls.

CLIMATE:
While growing, the temperatures are lower, allowing the wines to achieve lower alcohol levels, lower pH and higher acidity.

HARVEST AND VINIFICATION:
The grapes are tasted and selected carefully. An early hand-harvest allowed the wines to achieve freshness and acidity. The winery uses pure native yeasts. The Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in stainless steel tanks, white the Syrah, the Merlot and the Cabernet Franc are fermented in open tanks to facilitate “pigéage” (punch-down or tamping with feet). This process is an essential part of their wine production. They limit the minimum of their pump-over process and taste their wines daily until they get their desired results.

AGING AND STORAGE:
The wines are aged for 15 months in neutral oak barrels. Additionally, they are aged in an un-toasted French oak foudre (large wooden vat holding 3000 liters of wine). Afterwards, the wine is stored for 6 months before being released to the market.

Valle del Maipo_Chile

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The Andes Plateau is a family run winery with a drive to showcase wines from the Andes Mountains. Altitude determines the identity of their wines; not many producers are in the mountains due to a high risk of frost, yet the Andes Plateau winery believes the risk is worth the reward. They produce elegant and energetic expressions of each varietal, working with the complex geology of their vineyard locations. Learn more about the winery here.

© Information and photos from Andes Plateau – All Rights Reserved. 

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Intacto Gran Reserva Carménère

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Streak and Brie SandwichSteak and Brie Sandwich with Chimichurri

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound flank steak
  • 2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar
  • kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 ½ cups packed baby arugula, plus more for serving
  • ¾ cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing and drizzling
  • 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers, drained, plus 1 tablespoon brine (from a 12-ounce jar)
  • 1 baguette (20-24 inches), halved lengthwise
  • 6 ounces brie, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Rub steak with brown sugar; season with salt and pepper. Let stand 10 minutes. Pulse arugula and parsley in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer mixture to a bowl; stir in vinegar, oil, ¼ teaspoon salt, and brine.
  2. Lightly brush grill with oil. Pat steak dry; grill, turning once halfway through, until well browned (7 to 9 minutes total for medium-rare). Let stand 10 minutes, then slice ¼ inch thick against the grain. Toss with accumulated juices, peppers, and half of chimichurri. Drizzle baguette halves with oil; grill, turning once, until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Just before serving, layer bottom half of baguette with brie and steak mixture. Top with arugula; close sandwich and cut into 4 portions. Serve, with remaining chimichurri.

© Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart.

MARCH WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoIntacto-Gran-Reserve-CarmenereIntacto
Gran Reserva Carménère
Rapel Valley, Chile

BOLD WINE STYLE

This full-bodied Carménère has intense aromas of cassis, red berries and a touch of green pepper. The palate shows good integration of soft tannins and flavors, with a supple, long finish. 

Varietal: Carménère
Analysis: 14% alcohol / volume
Denominación de Origen (DO): Rapel Valley, Chile
Aging: Aged in French oak barrels for 10 to 12 months
Winemaker: Felipe Uribe
Serving Recommendation: Brie cheese, slow cooked meat dishes and stuffed pasta

Climate Conditions:
A Mediterranean climate with cold winters and average rainfalls. Summer with medium high temperatures of 86ºF in the day and 48.2ºF during the night, which enables a slow ripeness of the grapes.

Soil:
Vineyards are located about 1476 feet above sea level, at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The vines are planted in loam soils, containing similar portions of sand, clay and lime at the first 11 inches, followed by stones with an outstanding drainage.

Vinification:
Pre-fermentative cold maceration for 5 days, with alcoholic fermentation occurring at 80.6ºF-84.2ºF for a deeper color and better structure. Smooth pump overs happen once a day at the winemaker’s discretion. Post-fermentative maceration for 2 weeks. Then the wine is separated from its lees and malolactic fermentation ensues.

Finning and Filtration:
Cold stabilization occurs naturally in the winery thanks to the cold temperature during the winter season.

ABOUT THE WINEMAKER:
Winemaker Felipe UribeFelipe Uribe: After studying Agriculture and working for two years in San Pedro Vineyards (Chile) he studied at Polytechnic University in Madrid (Spain) where he got his Masters degree in Viticulture and Enology. He returned back to Chile and worked as winemaker assistant at Santa Helena Vineyard.

Looking for new challenges, Felipe went to California and worked for La Crema Winery in Sonoma Valley. He once again returned to Chile, as winemaker assistant for De Martino Vineyard and then Chief Winemaker for Miravalle Vineyard, which is located on the upper part of the Cachapoal Valley.

Felipe also worked as head Enologist at William Fevre Vineyard (Maipo Valley) where he received the award for the “Most Innovative Wine in Chile 2012” by El Mercurio (most important newspaper in Chile) and “Revelation Wine of 2012” by Descorchados (famous wine guide in Chile).

ABOUT THE WINERY:

Founded in 2013 by Felipe Uribe, Andes Plateau is a family run winery with a drive to showcase wines from the Andes Mountains. Altitude determines the identity of their wines; not many producers are in the mountains due to a high risk of frost, yet the Andes Plateau winery believes the risk is worth the reward. They produce elegant and energetic expressions of each varietal, working with the complex geology of their vineyard locations. Learn more about the winery here.

Information © Andes Plateau – All Rights Reserved.

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Maite Chardonnay

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Sea BassEasy Baked Chilean Sea Bass

INGREDIENTS:

  • For the Fish:
    • olive oil, for the pan
    • 4 Chilean sea bass fillets (about 6 ounces each)
    • kosher salt, to taste
    • black pepper, to taste
    • creole seasoning (or seasoned salt), to taste
  • For the Lemon Buerre Blanc:
    • ¼ cup dry white wine
    • 1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
    • 1 ½ tablespoons minced shallots
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or more to taste
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
    • 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
    • lemon wedges, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Oil a broiler pan and rack or baking pan with olive oil.
  3. Lightly sprinkle the sea bass fillets all over with Kosher salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning.
  4. Place the Chilean sea bass on the oiled broiler rack, skin-side down.
  5. Bake the fish fillets at 425°F for about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets. The fish is ready when the temperature reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a fillet.
  6. While the fish is baking, prepare the lemon buerre blanc sauce.
  7. In a saucepan, combine the dry white wine, white wine vinegar, and minced shallots.
  8. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it has reduced to about 2 tablespoons.
  9. Add the lemon juice, zest, and heavy cream.
  10. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in 1 piece of the butter.
  11. Set it back over low heat and continue whisking until the butter has almost melted.
  12. Continue with the remaining pieces of butter until all are incorporated.
  13. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed. Whisk until well blended. If the sauce is too hot or too cold, it can separate, so keep it warm—at least 80°F but no hotter than about 135°F—until serving time.
  14. Arrange the fish on plates with lemon wedges and drizzle with the lemon buerre blanc. Enjoy.

© Recipe courtesy of The Spruce Eats.

MARCH WINE CLUB:

Silky styleMaite-Chardonnay-bottleMaite
Chardonnay
Maule Valley, Chile

SILKY WINE STYLE

Located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, the vineyard faces soft winds that maintain temperatures lower than the central valley. This is very important, since it helps to maintain good pH and high acidity levels in the wine. Aged 5-6 months in barrels, depending on the year’s specific harvest conditions. The wine remains at least 2 months in bottle before release.

Varietal: Chardonnay
Analysis: 13.9% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.13
Residual Sugar: 1.91
Total Acidity: 6
Appellation: San Clemente, Maule Valley, Chile
Winemaker: Felipe Uribe
Vineyard Yield: 1.8 kg/plant
Planted Area: 3 hectares
Soils: Volcanic origin which high levels of clay, which is great for this specific variety

Climate: 
Located at the Andes Mountain feet, the vineyard usually faces soft winds that maintain temperatures lower than the central valley (approximately 35.6ºF). In order to protect them from the sun direct exposure, the winery keeps the leaves on the grape cluster.

Vinification Process:
The grapes are whole cluster pressed, completely oxidative without the use of sulfur dioxide. The process considers all the wine lees, giving the wine a deep and profound mouth. The winery uses natural yeast and this is no chemical intervention in the winemaking process, just a touch of sulfurous before bottling.

Aging and Storage:
5-6 months in barrels, depending on the specific year harvest conditions. The wine remains at least 2 months in bottle before release.

Maule Valley, Chile map

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The Andes Plateau is a family run winery with a drive to showcase wines from the Andes Mountains. Altitude determines the identity of their wines; not many producers are in the mountains due to a high risk of frost, yet the Andes Plateau winery believes the risk is worth the reward. They produce elegant and energetic expressions of each varietal, working with the complex geology of their vineyard locations. Learn more about the winery here.

Information © Andes Plateau – All Rights Reserved.

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 about our Memberships >