Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules! 

A podcast where we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Camila Alvarez, wine sommelier, and consultant. Bonjour Camila, it’s great to have you join our CorkRules Family from Paris!

CA: Hello Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list’s because we know from experience, that sometimes wine lists can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today, we are talking about Buenos Aires restaurant, a traditional Argentinian place with a great for classic southern American fare and a cool wine list to match.

Camila, I can’t wait to hear what do you think of their extensive wine list?

CA: The wine list shows the spirit of the restaurant's South American style with the Argentinian style. You can choose between Argentinian, Chilean, Spanish, and French wine in general.

RT: That’s great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

CA: Well, I can’t stop seeing the Yacochuya Malbec 2011, from Bodegas Michel Rolland, a wine that is difficult to find outside of Argentina, Michel Rolland is a French producer who developed several wineries in Argentina and France. When we think about malbec, first thought is Mendoza, but Salta, the most north wine region in Argentina, is producing amazing malbec, jammy blackberry, blackcurrant and some toast, smoke aromas. Also, the altitude of the vineyard makes it special for these kinds of malbecs. Full body and concentrated flavors in this incredible wine.

RT: Ooohh those sound great. So, Camila, their list seems to have lots of ways we could go but was there anything that you would say is a “must-try”?

CA: As the wine list is mostly Argentinian, I suggest trying another malbec but from a different region and very different style, this one is Bramare Malbec Valle del Uco 2016 from Vina Cobos. This winery is from Paul Hobbs, one of the best wine producers who make the most elegant malbecs; This wine is produced in micro-plots, which means that there is not a high production, elegant aromas of violet and rose flowers, as well as raspberries. In addition, it has some toasted aromas due to the 18 months of barrel aging.

So, this list has so many great choices, what other wines would you suggest for our second or third course?

CA: For the white wines I suggest a Torrontes 2018 from Colomé winery in the Valle Calchaqui in Salta, one of the highest points in the north of Argentina. This wine is incredibly aromatic, with a lot of aromas of tropical fruits, good fresh acidity and a little bit of minerality; torrontes is a grape variety that disappeared in Spain and that is successfully produced in Argentina, mostly in the hot regions.

Any others for us to consider?

CA: For the second a red wine from Chile, Montes Alpha Carmenere 2018. Iconic winery in Chile, they started to produce premium wines from Valle de Colchagua, carmenere is a grape variety with an amazing bouquet of red fruits, chocolate and some jammy aromas due to the oak maturation for 12 months

RT: Ooh, Terrific. Camila, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.  any other great value wines you’d point us too? 

CA: One great value wine is Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2014, from the best winemaker and one of the historical families in Argentina. Very aromatic cabernet franc with ripe aromas of red fruits and black fruits like cassis, there are some herbal aromas like the eucalyptus and black pepper; Argentinian cabernet franc is completely different than those from France, here you can find a round wine with high tannins. Great value for this wine, good pairing with barbecue and empanadas.

RT: Now Camila, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

CA: Have you tasted a malbec from one of the southernmost regions of the world? A good dinner deserves something special and different, that is Bodega Noemia Malbec 2011, a biodynamic wine from Patagonia Argentina, full malbec with round and elegant aromas of red fruits, complex and high in tannins, the wine is perfectly balanced.

Good pairing with lamb or sauteed sliced Argentinean steak with mixed vegetables

RT: Malbec in all their expression is always something good and this blend and vintage rocks!

CA: I 100 percent agree

RT: Camila Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate    List. I can’t wait to go back and try your great suggestions.  

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: Info@CorkRules.com or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists. 

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.