Bodegas of Argentina produces fabulous wine. (Complements of Wines of Argentina.org/Estudio Garcia & Betancourt)
Only those in the know recognize them as Argentina’s largest wineries, producing nearly 40 percent of all of Argentina’s yearly wine output. Ninety percent of the fruit of the grape is domestically consumed, but the remainder, of excellent quality at affordable prices, makes its way onto the international market.
Several fine New York wine outlets and a lot of restaurants carry Argentine wine, as my recent interview with charming and energetic Ms. Favelukes affirmed. President of QW Wine Experts since 1995 and its sole proprietor, her involvement in the wine industry is the stuff movies are made of. Though Greek by birth, Ms. Favelukes lived most of her life in Argentina, where she worked for a local wine maker where she learns the ins and outs of this trade. Following her stay in Argentina, she lived in France for a year, and then moved to the United States 21 years ago and now considers herself an American.
Ms. Favelukes answered my rapid-fire question graciously and patiently, and is happy to note that Americans in the past 30 years have developed sophisticated palates regarding food and drink and are open to culinary adventures, including wine. She is committed to quality and provided me with valuable background information about Argentine wines. Argentina is the fifth-largest wine producer worldwide.
Argentine wines, and some of her cuisine, have their beginnings in Spain, dating from the colonization of the Americas. Spanish Jesuit priests brought the first grape stock to Argentina in 1557 and soon established a commercial wine enterprise. Wine exporting took off in the 1990s, and now wine tourism is seeing a heyday, especially in the following provinces: Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, Catamarca, and recently in the Buenos Aires area.
Why does wine grow so well in these regions? The vineyards’ high altitude results in the absence of pests, fungi, and mold. The grapes are grown without chemicals and the soil is irrigated with glacier melt from the high Andes. Hence, all the wines in these regions are organically grown.
Preferred wines are Cereza, Criolla Grande, and vintages from the Malbec harvests. Deep color, intense fruity flavors, and slight vanilla undertones characterize the Malbec wine, giving it a velvety texture. Argentina once had 3,000 wineries, but the numbers are now closer to 1,900.
According to Ms. Favelukes, much of the Argentine vineyards are still tended by once Italian (50 percent of the population), other European immigrants, and those from the Middle East. They uphold cherished wine-growing traditions and are constantly striving to improve, perfect, and appreciate their craft. Their dedication is the reason for excellent Argentine wines to be had in New York for around $15 a bottle.
My hostess encourages all who read this story to try a fine, inexpensive Argentine wine for their next family get-together or a dinner in with friends. A bottle, two, or three of fine Cereza, Criolla Grande, or Malbec from either Bodegas Esmeralda, Penaflor, or from independent producers makes a dandy holiday gift anyone would be proud to receive and enjoy. Make sure you serve reds at room temperature, un-cork, and let them breathe for a short while before serving to enhance the wine’s enjoyment.
