Diversity and Delights of South American Wines showcased at Sip of South America event by Wine Enthusiast -New York, New York, May 2024.
Wine Enthusiast, the leading source of innovation and information around wine, hosted a unique trade and consumer event, ‘Sip of South America, ‘on Monday, May 6, at the exclusive City Winery in the Hudson River piers. This event was a rare opportunity to delve into the world of Wines of South America.
The trade event kicked off with an engaging panel discussion featuring industry experts from trade and hospitality. They shared intriguing insights about the challenges of educating consumers about the quality, value, and uniqueness of South American Wines, both in retail and restaurant settings. The discussion also delved into the role of social media in consumer engagement and purchasing decisions.
There is also a need for more education among professionals regarding the wines of South America because organizations might see Malbec as a single style of wine. At the same time, the current trend or new generation shows they are working towards offering a lighter and crisp version of what we thought Malbec in Argentina or Sauvignon Blanc in Chile were. Let’s dig deeper into some of the main aspects I am holding on to from this informative panel.
Little is known that Malbec is not only made in one style; many winemakers from a new generation are fermenting on stainless steel or even concrete vates to give flavor variation to this dark, inky grape.
Stacey Sosa, a long-time restauranteur of Estancia 460 and North Bar in Tribeca, mentioned, ” I am always trying to find interesting expressions of Malbec… I always want to find new wines at my local restaurant.” Currently, Stacey has one of the most compelling and future forward-thinking offerings of Malbec in the city, going from Malbec from Uco Valley, Mendoza, and even going to the White Malbec, perhaps the only offering in the town about this rare gem.
There is a growing trend in research for the purchasing preferences of different generations, especially those seeking sustainability, natural products, or experiences in undiscovered regions. However, some panelists believe the common thread in these decision-making factors is the desire to travel. Almost everyone looks forward to a vacation, and when they return home, they often want to recreate the experiences they enjoyed while traveling.
For example, Gillian Sciaretta pointed out, “We use social media to see where people are traveling… wines from those popular travel destinations just sell better.”
Travel or facts about wine regions can also be a connector in the store. In this regard, Oscar Garcia Moncada, from 67 Wines retail store on the Upper East Side, mentioned: “I feel like I’m a wine therapist sometimes… the way I make it cool is I tie the cultural whereabouts of the wine to the bottle.”
Both the media and consumer events featured a diverse range of South American wines, each of exceptional quality. These wines had received 90+ points from the Wine Enthusiast tasting panel or a ‘Best Buy’ designation by the Wine Enthusiast editorial team, showcasing South American wines’ high standards and variety.
One of the gems I found was a Traditional Method Sparkling Wine Estelado by Miguel Torres, installed in Chile in 1979. Estelado is a Brut Rosé made from the El Pais grape. I thought it was interesting because of the historical meaning. It might have been the first sparkling offering of this grape.
I enjoyed tasting some premium offerings from Salta, such as Bodega Colomé Estate Malbec and Single Vineyards Malbec.
Of course, I revisited Bodega Argento premium Malbec. From the same wine-tasting table, trying the Otronia Chardonnay and Rugientes 45 was a treat since Patagonia Extrema is a region to keep watching as it continues to grow interest in consumers on stateside.
Uco Valley never ends to amaze me. Bodega Salentein, imported by the Taub Family, continues to over-deliver with their Numina offering.
I was so also amazed by Matetic EQ Granite Pinot Noir and its unique salinity on the Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc D.O. Valle de San Antonio, Chile.
The long-time classic Don Melchor is from Puente Alto, Chile. It continues to overdeliver and is comparable to a Bordeaux Blend from The Graves. In my humble opinion, I will recommend this undeniable world-class Cabernet Sauvignon blend to anyone looking to add something from South America to their cellar.
Una fiesta del vino sudamericano is how I will recall this celebration.
The consumer event, held during the afternoon of Monday the 6th, from 6:00-9:00 pm, was a truly exclusive experience. It featured a selection of unique South American wines, the same as in the trade session. This exclusivity, where wine lovers had the same opportunity to taste the latest discoveries, was a rare privilege.
The event was a delightful fusion of vibrant ambiance, delectable South American-inspired small bites. A DJ showcased an array of house vibes with South American sounds, making the afternoon very eclectic. My favorites were the shrimp and mini arepas.
All these aspects created a joyous and unforgettable experience of cultural appreciation for South America that should be celebrated more often. The event was filled with excitement and anticipation, leaving everyone eager for the next one.
Exciting news! Wine Enthusiast is planning the next event, ‘Sip of Italy, ‘for the fall. I’m eagerly anticipating it, and I’m sure you are too. It’s an event you will want to attend!
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