04/08/2024
Argentina beauties.
The white:
Ver Sacrum Geisha Dragon del Desierto is a co-fermented blend of mostly Viognier with Marsanne and Criolla Blanca. About 10% of the blend is matured in oak under a veil of flor. The nose shows fresh cut white flowers with lemon, dried apricot, and a touch of fresh baked bread. The palate is crisp with white peach, wax bean, and hints of almond paste from the inside of a croissant. Delicious.
Eduardo Soler and two friends started Ver Sacrum in 2012 with the concept of growing and vinifying Rhone varietals. Their winemaking ethos focuses on fresh, low alcohol, lighter skin contact, native yeast, honest, and easy drinking wines. All grapes are hand harvested and most are foot crushed with minimal intervention in the vineyards and winery and no corrections, filtration, or pump overs.
The red:
This 100% Bequignol is from a single vineyard in the El Zampal region of the Uco Valley. The nose shows bright red fruits of ripe raspberry and cranberry with underlying notes of clove and cinnamon. The wine is light and silky with medium acidity and light tannin. Might be the only 100% Bequignol imported into the USA, or even made at all! Its a unique varietal but has some similarites to Gamay or Trosseau.
Escala Humana Wine was started in 2015 by husband and wife team Ayelén and German Massera. German began making wine since 2003 while studying Enology and Viticulture in Mendoza and he has worked with Matias Michelini since 2016. German became interested in the history of the Uco Valley and it’s forgotten places and varietals. While the majority of the oldest vines are in Lujan and Maipu, there are a small handful of 4th and 5th generation producers in the Uco Valley who brought vines from Europe. Aye and German fell in love with two of these small vineyards where they grow Malvasia, Bequignol (a light bodied red varietal from Southwest France), Sangiovese and a few other varietals.
