Luxe Beat Magazine JUNE 2014 | Page 47
Feature
Worldwide Wine
Tip and Sips
By Linda Kissam
PHOTOS: ©TVM TODD MONTGOMERY
PHOTO: COURTESY OF TERRONTES
I
have a tip for you...there is life and
great sips beyond California wines.
I am serious. I know, I know, it’s easy
to cruise the wine aisles and load
your cart up with familiar Sauvignon
Blancs and Cabernets. Heck, I‘ve done
that lots of times myself.
What I’d like to suggest to you is to
slow down and take time to explore
your favorite wine store or online
merchant for some exquisite – and
affordable- wines from some other
countries. I promise you, there is
some really good stuff out there.
And if you’re feeling particularly
adventurous, be courageous and
pair some interesting foods with
your new found wine finds.
I sense some hesitation out there
and an eye roll or two. Looking down
or shrugging your shoulders does
not mean I can’t see you. Not feeling
quite up to the whole Indiana Jones
of wine adventure? OK. Let me
make it easy for you. Here are my
suggestions for three wines and
food pairings that are easy to find,
affordable and are most certainly
going to rock your wine world.
1. Kaiken Terroir Series
Torrontes 2012, $15
Pairing: Medjool Date
Chicken Salad
Torrontes is considered the most
distinctive of all white Argentine
wine with a showy nose that is both
crisp and fruity. The wine has an
elegant nose with a medium aromatic
intensity and a touch of Muscat and
tropical fruits aromas. In the mouth,
it’s a fresh sassy wine with a smooth
texture, balanced acidity and a long
and pleasant finish. What this means
to you is a white wine that goes with
just about any food you might be
having – even red saucy items like
pizza and chili. This is my number one
recommendation for you to seek out.
2. Kaiken Corte Malbec
(80%) – Bonarda (12%)
- Petit Verdot (8%), $9
Pairing: Bison Sliders
Stellar wine with intense red color
and violet hues. Ripe black fruit on
the nose, such as blueberries and
blackberries, is going to delight and
entice you. You’ll be able to identify
with the distinct Malbec type floral
aromas. In the mouth, this big bodied
blend brings out all the silkiness of a
Malbec backed by the structure and
freshness of Petit Verdot, ending
with a mineral finish provided by the
Bonarda. Expect a long and lingering
finish. From the Uco Valley.
3. Montes Twins Red
Wine 2011, $18
Pairing: Spicy BBQ chicken
breast followed by a coconut
cookie chaser
Meet the twins! A masterstroke
of varietal blending from Chile’s
winemaking legend, Aurelio Montes.
On their own, Malbec and Cabernet
Sauvignon shine, but when paired
up, these two classic varieties
complement each other perfectly.
It’s a dramatic double bill: wonderful
richness, structure and fruit from
the Cabernet, with smooth, velvety
texture from the Malbec. These
varieties add up to a wine that’s
greater than the sum of its parts.
The oak aging contributes subtle
notes of vanilla and earth, and its
47
From left to right:
Kaiken Torrontes and pizza make a
great match
The Malbec pairs well a variety of
bites
Montes Twins Red Wine
soft tannins provide an especially
elegant finish. One critic gave it this
verbal award, “This 50% Malbec,
50% Cabernet Sauvignon (hence, the
“twins”) is a magnificent blackberry,
licorice and spiced specimen of tightly
wound Cab and velvet-gloved Malbec.
The bodies are textured and in motion,
empowered by grace and elegance.”
Yup, that just about sums it up.
International wines are one of
the world’s greatest pleasures.
In terms of complexity, longevity,
soulful sense of place and sheer
refreshment. Wines outside of
California are not merely a great sip,
but a benchmark taste on your wine
journey. So my wine warriors, grab
you credit cards and let’s find some
great international wines to add to
your wine cellar and dinner table.