…and to drink?
The kind of wines I love sit outside fashion. Wines that are made as they’ve always been made, with little thought for marketing. Sometimes their producers attain cult status and the prices go up, but there is always a risk that changing fashions will put them out of business. Weinert from Argentina was only founded in 1975, but its wines taste like it’s been making them for a century. They’re aged in old oak barrels that don’t impart any woody taste and are only released when they’re ready to drink. There's nothing else in Latin America like them: the nearest would be Chateau Musar from Lebanon, or a traditional Rioja. And did I mention that they’re absurdly good value?
Weinert Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, £10.50
Very pure and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, this tastes so aristocratic, you might be in the Medoc. It smells of pencil shavings and plums with a hint of coffee. There is a lot of structure so it’s worth decanting, or keep for five years.
Weinert Carrascal 2008, £7.95
My friend calls this the funky Mendoza. The leathery smell can put you off, but there’s lots of ripe, almost syrupy, fruit. A lot of wine for the money; decant and don’t serve too warm.
The Society’s Exhibition Mendoza Malbec 2010, £9.95
Shows how good more conventional Argentine wines can be. It has spice, fragrance and grace.
Faldeos Nevados Fiano 2012, £7.75
A convincing Argentine version of this white Italian grape. There’s honey, almonds and a slight bitterness. You would think you were in Naples.
All wines are available from The Wine Society: www.thewinesociety.co.uk
Henry Jeffreys is writing a history of Britain told through booze: www.unbound.co.uk/books/empire-of-booze
Weinert Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, £10.50
Very pure and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, this tastes so aristocratic, you might be in the Medoc. It smells of pencil shavings and plums with a hint of coffee. There is a lot of structure so it’s worth decanting, or keep for five years.
Weinert Carrascal 2008, £7.95
My friend calls this the funky Mendoza. The leathery smell can put you off, but there’s lots of ripe, almost syrupy, fruit. A lot of wine for the money; decant and don’t serve too warm.
The Society’s Exhibition Mendoza Malbec 2010, £9.95
Shows how good more conventional Argentine wines can be. It has spice, fragrance and grace.
Faldeos Nevados Fiano 2012, £7.75
A convincing Argentine version of this white Italian grape. There’s honey, almonds and a slight bitterness. You would think you were in Naples.
All wines are available from The Wine Society: www.thewinesociety.co.uk
Henry Jeffreys is writing a history of Britain told through booze: www.unbound.co.uk/books/empire-of-booze