WineLife365

Posts Tagged ‘Argentina’

December 18, 2011

Dear Mr. Claus,

I know that you’re very busy right now getting ready for Christmas Eve and checking your list twice to see who’s been naughty and nice this year.   But I was wondering – if it’s not too much trouble – might you be able to fulfill one very selfish special wish for a guy who has been good and quite nice at times naughty this year?  He does all of the cooking (except for baking) and almost always cleans up afterwards (He’s got OCD issues when it comes to loading the dishwasher).

That really, REALLY swell guy happens to be me!

If you can, I wish for an entire bottle of 2008 Achaval Ferrer Finca Bella Vista Malbec ($100) from Mendoza, Argentina to share with my beautiful wife (she’s been really good this year, too!). Just to let you know, my wife and I tasted this badass totally kickass electrifying and elegant Malbec earlier this year and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it ever since!  In a nutshell, it was probably the most badass best red wine that I tasted in 2011!

I’m not sure if you’re into wine or if you’re possibly a wine collector, but if you’re either – this is really something special!  Only 980 cases were made of this old vine Malbec.  It’s pure gold with its bold dark fruit, dark chocolate, violets and fresh herb flavors.  Here’s an interesting tidbit about the 2008 Achaval Ferrer Finca Bella Vista Malbec:  it takes nearly a pound of grapes to make just 1/3 of a bottle of this wine.

I’m really sorry for rambling on, but I guess you’re used to it by now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Santa!

Love,

Mark

P.S. I hope you like the Domaine Du Margalleau Sparkling Vouvray NV and cookies that I’m leaving out for you.

Thus far in the WineLife365 25 Days of Christmas countdown, I’ve shared with you some terrific wine choices, under $20, for holiday parties, marathon wrapping sessions, and even a cookie/wine pairing.  With Christmas now only 8 days away, it’s time to intensify the countdown.  If you’re a frantic, harried procrastinator like me, shopping for last–minute Christmas gifts, then you don’t have time to mess around with bargain shopping.  You need something amazing NOW!  So for the remaining shopping days, it’s only 100% totally badass wines…regardless of price! You can worry about that credit card bill later, when it arrives next month.

The first badass is the 2007 Bodega DiamAndes de Uco Gran Reserva (Sample: $42 US) from Argentina.  Take a close look at the label on this red wine:  it’s got a big ole sparkling diamond – the size of the rock that Kris Humphries gave to Kim Kardashian – on the front.

The 2007 Bodega DiamAndes de Uco Gran Reserva is a luxurious treat of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.  It’s an avalanche of blackberry, black cherry, plum, black currants, black pepper, leather, roasted almonds (breathe…breathe…), and finally some vanilla.  And the finish?  Let’s put it this way – it lasted way longer than that Humphries-Kardashian union.

Expect at least 10 “atta boys” and 5 high fives from your peeps thanking you for bringing such a great bottle of wine.  There are only 3,500 cases to go around, making this gift even more special!

Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

I was just saying yesterday that I really hate (I mean REALLY HATE!) wrapping gifts.  I dislike it so much, that on several occasions I have actually paid to have presents “professionally” wrapped at various department stores.  One look at my “wrap jobs” and you’d immediately understand:  my gifts tend to look like they’ve been wrapped by an entire first grade class.  Therefore, Day 6 of the 25 Days of Christmas is dedicated to all my fellow brothers and sisters who detest wrapping gifts!

Here are a couple of gift-worthy wines for the wine lovers in your life – AND they come already wrapped for you! (Note: Bows not included)

• Who doesn’t like a little bubbly?  Nicolas Feuillatte Blue Label Brut from Champagne, France is composed of 20% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 40% Pinot Meunier.  This bubbly is packed with tiny bubbles swimming in pear, apple, almonds and hazelnuts.  For less than $40, you get a beautifully wrapped, elegant and super smooth Champagne that will undoubtedly make the lucky recipient beam with holiday cheer!

• Looking to add a little sexiness?  Consider giving the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose as a gift instead!  Consisting of 60% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Meunier, this wine pairs perfectly with  a variety of holiday dishes.  This wine also retails for $40…wrapped.

• Finally, if you think red wine is the way to go, why not tell someone that they’re “the tops” by giving them a bottle of the 2008 Uno Malbec from Antigal Winery & Estates.  This Argentine Malbec comes in a unique looking gift canister.  Both the bottle and canister showcase a distinctive copper/bronzed-looking metal “number one,” that appears as if it’s been riveted on.  Oh yeah, and the wine inside this beautiful packaging is pretty swell and very easy to swallow at $20…wrapped! 

SIMMA DOWN NA!  Even though I’ve been guzzling down and raving about good and cheap white wine on  Day 2 and Day 4, don’t think that I’ve forgotten about you bargain-hunting red wine lovers .

As you begin wrapping those gifts, chowing down on hot pizza pies and MF-ing yourself for cutting the paper too short, the 2010 Maipe Malbec from Argentina is a cheap and tasty red that’ll ease your pain.

This affordable, everyday Malbec packs a nice spicy punch of plum, fig, strawberry, mint and black pepper. Delish with pizza!

I don’t know about you, but wrapping gifts while inhaling a large pepperoni, sausage and mushroom pizza requires a whole lot more than a 750 ml bottle.  Guess what?!  The 2010 Maipe Malbec from Argentina can be Super-Sized, too!  So it’s there for you whether you want a little or a lot!

The 750 ml bottle will set you back around $10 and the 3L box is less than $30, in most parts of the United States.

Happy wrapping!