A MAJORITY of the Guyanese population is not yet fully acquainted with the importance of some of the world’s most sophisticated and classic wines, or are not yet familiar with the heady flavours of those wines; thus the Embassy of the Argentine Republic has certainly set about to change that.At a simple but classic ceremony just recently held at the Cara Lodge on Quamina Street, Georgetown, the Embassy of the Republic of Argentina hosted its first ever wine-tasting event.

This auspicious event showcased some of the most sophisticated and assorted wines from Argentina, especially brewed from Argentine grapes and berries.
While patrons at this event were certainly blown away by the exotic flavours up for tasting, the wines served up were a true affirmation that the wines of Argentina were indeed impeccably perfumed with fruity aromas and toasty backgrounds.

For those who were lucky to sample the wines, the sensation was lush and rich, with outstanding purity to the lusty black fruit flavours.

Over the past decade, Argentina has evolved from being a country not well known on the global wine scene to the New World’s fastest growing exporter of wines.

The leading grape in Argentina in terms of reputation and quality is Malbec, a Bordeaux variety imported to Argentina from France in the mid-17th Century. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda (known as Charbono in its native Italy), Syrah, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir.

Among white wines, the Argentine wine region’s signature grape is Torrontes, which yields a floral, tropical tasting wine. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.

Argentina continues to grow in its wine production year after year, resulting in that country achieving the highest growth rate (8%) of the top five wine producers in the world. The Argentine economy relies on wine exports, and its major grapes are Malbec and Chardonnay.

Original grapes are used in brewing wines that were displayed, and Argentina boasts a great diversity of some 504,485 acres of cultivated area designated to the cultivation of grapes for wine making.

Argentina is also the fifth largest state in world class wine production, and the eighth largest wine exporter in the world. This country has been labelled as the eleventh largest wine consumer in the world, with some 1,301 wineries and 504,485 acres of land designated for cultivation of grapes and berries for wine production.

Among the wines displayed at the recent wine-tasting event were the Beviam-Sauvignonasse (sweet), Beviam-Cabernet Sauvignon (2007), Beviam-Malbec (2007), Grand Beviam-Special Reserve-Malbec (2008), and the Beviam-Malbec (2013).

Up for tasting also were the Beviam-Malbec-Rose (2013), Imperio De Sentidos-Malbec (2013), and the Imperio De Sentidos- Torrentes’ 2013 (White)

There were also the Trapiche- Pinot Grigio 2011 (white), Trapiche-Malbec, 2010; Trapiche- Merlot, 2012; and the Trapiche- Torrentes’ 2012 (white).

Rounding off the order of the evening were the Trivento-TRIBU-Malbec 2012, Mixtus-Merlot-Malbec 2012, and the Mixtus-Cabernet-Merlot, 2012.

We will bring you tid-bits on the Wines of Argentina in our weekly ‘Entertainment Bombshell’ supplement.

(Alex Wayne)