Tastes of Argentina arrives in London, UK

Decanter’s Argentinian food, wine and culture festival, Tastes of Argentina, is back by popular demand.

Following the success of the inaugural event in 2009, 40 top producers will return to London’s Vinopolis on 11 September with over 150 top wines.

Decanter has also teamed up with Argentinian restaurant chain Gaucho to host steak and Malbec masterclasses throughout the day, whilst two special Malbec masterclasses will be given by Peter McCombie MW.

With live tango dancing and Malbec ice cream, event organisers are promising guests the chance to sample Argentinian culture without spending 16 hours on a plane.

Tickets are available on the Tastes of Argentina website and by contacting the Decanter Ticket Office on 020 3148 4513 or tickets@decanter.com.

The best of Argentina under one roof

- Discover 40 star producers
- More than 150 wines to taste
- FREE Steak and Malbec masterclass, courtesy of top Argentinian restaurant, Gaucho*
- Buy top-selling light bites from Gaucho
- Live tango from Argentina’s most renowned dancers

Steak and Malbec Masterclass

Don’t miss out on your complimentary Steak & Malbec Masterclass with Gaucho experts.

Gaucho’s wine director Phil Crozier and sommelier Jake Crimmin will match the following 4 amazing Malbecs with some of the delicious cuts of beef available at Gaucho restaurants with the aid of Gaucho’s beef gurus Jorge Coelho GM of Gaucho Canary Wharf and Mike Reid Head Chef Gaucho o2.

THE WINES

Zuccardi Serie A 2008/9

Familia Zuccardi are one of Argentina’s leading wine making families. Heading up the second generation Jose Alberto and his family are known for their innovative and passionate approach to wine. Zuccardi are located in Lujan de Cuyo, the heart of wine production in Mendoza. With further vine yards to the East and to the West, Zuccardi are able to take full advantage of the diverse terroir that Argentina has to offer. The Zuccardi ‘Serie ‘A is a blend of malbecs from different altitudes; showing floral notes from Uco Valley and ripe, silky tannins from Lujan de Cuyo. This wine is predominantly unoaked; allowing the richness of fruit to shine.

Mauricio Lorca Opalo Malbec 2007/8

Mauricio is one of the top young winemakers in Argentina, and this wine is typical of his style. Made from low-yielding vineyards in Vista Flores, a particularly beautiful department of the high Uco Valley, Mendoza, this is made with no oak, so maximising the expression of the Malbec grape and the terroir.

Luigi Bosca Malbec Reserva 2007

The Arizu family have been in Mendoza since 1901, and this Luigi Bosca wine is one of the iconic wines of Argentina, perhaps the most famous name of all. The Reserva has long been a favourite at Gaucho, and exemplifies the classic family tradition fused with a modern approach to winemaking that puts the Arizu family top of the Argentine tree.

Finca Sophenia Synthesis Malbec 2008

From one of the new wineries in Tupungato, Uco Valley in Mendoza, this very modern style of Malbec is typical of the new wave of wines coming from the cool-climate regions along the Andes. Located at 1,200m above sea level, the beauty of the fruit is accentuated by the talents of Matias Michelini, one of the rising young winemaking talents of Argentina. Here you find great acidity and freshness in Malbec due to the lower temperatures at this altitude.

THE STEAKS

The Lomo (fillet): A delicate and tender cut. Cuts normally consist of only 4% fat ensuring this pleasurable cut can be cooked to any temperature.

The Chorizo (sirloin): A juicy and succulent cut that has about 8% fat, it can be cooked from medium rare to well done and is especially beautiful with the belt of fat.

The Ancho (rib eye): Often called the meat lovers’ steak, it holds 12-14% fat, and is best cooked from medium rare to well done, this cut offers wonderful flavours and textures.

The Cuadril (rump): The beefiest of all our cuts, it is also the leanest with only 2% fat. It can be fibrous but has a beautiful distinct beefy flavour.

Wineries at Tastes of Argentina

Alta Vista
Altos Las Hormigas
Andeluna Cellars
Argento Wine Company
Benegas
Benvenuto De La Serna
Bianchi
Bodega Bressia
Bodega Catena Zapata
Bodega Cielo Y Tierra
Bodega Cruz De Piedra
Bodega Domingo Hermanos
Bodega Vistalba
Bodegas Escorihuela
Bodegas La Guarda
Chakana
Clos De Los 7
Domaine Vistalba
Dominio Del Plata
Don Cristobal
Estancia Y Bodega Colome
Familia Schroeder
Familia Zuccardi
Finca Flichman
Finca Las Moras
Finca Sophenia
Foster
Gouguenheim Winery
Kaiken
La Rural/ Rutini Wines
Luigi Bosca
Michel Torino
Norton
Renacer
Rj Vinedos
Santa Ana
Tapiz
Trapiche
Trivento
Zorzal Wines

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SOURCES:

“Decanter’s Tastes of Argentina returns to London”
August 12, 2010
by Francesca Teoh
http://www.decanter.com
http://www.decanter.com/news/news.php?id=300983

“Tastes of Argentina London”
http://www.amiando.com/tastesofargentina2010.html