Weinert? Argentine Wine that'll blow your mind!

I've wanted to go to Argentina for a long time. I want to see the wineries in Mendoza and I also am a huge fan of beef and dulce de leche. I know that I'll start singing "What's new Buenos Aires! I'm new..." and embarrass myself. I've always liked the jammy Malbecs and the floral Torrontes. When I worked at Zachys, Argentina was a go-to region.  Newcomers to wine find it lush, accessible and consistent. Other boozers like the price. I was getting a little bored with wines in the $10-$20 category from Argentina. I felt like there wasn't a ton of diversity in this New World arena. That is... until... I tasted wines from Bodegas de Weinert.


Weinert isn't new to the scene like some Juanie-come-latelies. They've been around since the '70s (like me). They were the very first wine to be reviewed (& highly I might add) by Robert Parker. They produce a distinct old-world style of wine. They are thoughtful wines full of character.

Bodega Weinert was founded in 1975 by Bernardo Weinert who has a passion for wine. German sounding name confusing you?  The Weinerts are from a German colony in Brazil.  He searched high and low for the perfect locations for his vineyards. He worked with the legendary winemaker, Don Raul de la Mota, who at 91 years old passed away earlier this week.
They make several tiers of wine. They have a great big earthy old world-style Malbec that you would think was from France. I also fell in love with the 2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and I’m not a Cabernet Sauvignon fanatic. It was the Carrascal Blanco (Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc) that I found unusual and delicious. I’ve also never had/seen this combination on the shelves or wine lists here in NYC.
Chenin Blanc is usually found in the Loire Valley where it is manifested in various degrees of sweetness. South Africa also grows quite a bit and sometimes they call it Steen. This is usually a steely, green apple, dry style. Sauvignon Blanc, we’re all familiar with, but this too is famously grown in the Loire Valley, albeit a little deeper into the heart of France in the Sancerre region.
This is an unusual blend for Argentina, but the Weinerts are always experimenting with grapes. The Carrascal Blanco is a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Chenin Blanc. They have about 2 acres of Chenin- this comes from the Iduna vineyard; named after their vivacious daughter. The vines are 30+ years old.  There is some Chenin grown in Argentina, but it’s mainly destined for cheap sparkling wine. This Sauvignon Blanc-Chenin is stainless steel fermented and hangs out on its lees (dead yeast cells) for 3-4 months. Malolactic fermentation gets down there on the lees transforming the wine into a soft creamy goodness, and yet it maintains very fresh acidity. This really gives the wine a more complex personality (like me & Iduna).

I had the privilege of tasting this wine with Miss Iduna Weinert herself! She we swirled sniffed and sipped this together at the Chelsea Wine Vault.

Color: pale lemon
Nose: Iduna says (and I concur) the Chenin dominates the aroma. There is a beautiful spun honey, sweet cream butter, macadamia nut and Iduna also says butternut squash (something I would have NEVER come up with, but she is right on!)
Palate: The Sauvignon Blanc dominates the palate with fresh lemon-lime zestiness.  There is a zippy lemongrass and sweetpea that rounds it out

Iduna and I enjoying some Weinert at a NYC trade tasting

If you are lucky enough, you may catch a glimpse of Iduna Weinert. She is the sassy Weinert ambassadress to the world can be seen promoting and educating wine drinkers on her family's wine.  When  you see any bottle of Weinert on the shelf or on a wine list -- grab it.  You won't be disappointed!!