APPASSIMENTO: FROM VENETO TO MENDOZA.

This typical Venetian winemaking method is used in Argentina to produce Amarone-style wines with native grapes varieties, such as Torrontés and Bonarda.

Rosso di Argentina

One of the great producers in the Veneto region is Masi, owned by the Boscaini family. They had also developed their expertise in Argentina where they built a modern winery, Masi Tupungato.

The Tupungato district in the Uco Valley was the place chosen for the first plantings of grapevines in the ’90s. Different grape varieties, Venetian and Argentinian, were planted in order to assess their potential and their compatibility with the new environment.

“Argentinian soul, Venetian style” is the philosophy behind Masi Tupungato.

Masi’s wines are blends of Corvina and Malbec (“Corbec” and “Passo Doble”); and Torrontés and Pinot Grigio (“Passo Blanco”).

It seems that only Passo Doble blend is available in the U.S. This wine is made of fresh Malbec and lightly dried Corvina grapes, both from their organic estate in the Uco Valley.

After harvest the Corvina is placed on cane drying racks in a temperature controlled room and then fermented. Passo Doble is aged for 9 months in French oak barrels prior to release. The blend is usually around 85% Malbec and 15% Corvina. It sells for about $15-17.

But Masi is not the only winery to produce Amarone-style wines in Argentina. There is one more wine to fall in love with!

Milamore

Milamore is a joint venture project between Bodega Renacer (Mendoza) and the renowned Amarone producer, Allegrini.

This is a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda. To produce Milamore, bunches on the vines are exposed to dry winds until they lose about one third of their weight. After a prolonged fermentation (both alcoholic and malolactic) the wine matures in oak barrels for 12 months.

The wine sells for $26, thus becoming a budget-friendly Amarone-style wine along with Passo Doble.

Would you give them a try?