Rotary Wine Appreciation Fellowship announces Wine Tour

To keep with our tradition by trying to visit a local wine producing region near the location of our annual Rotary International Convention, the RWAF has taken steps to set up a 4-day tour of the great Argentine Wine Region of Mendoza.  Mendoza is celebrated worldwide for producing many excellent wines, including the best Malbecs in the world.  As in the past, this tour will commence at the end of the convention and will occur as follows:

 

Arrive:       Wednesday, 10 June into Mendoza (remember, the convention ends on Tuesday, 2 June)

Depart:      Monday, 15 June from Mendoza (total of 5 Nights)

Lodging:   Park Hyatt Mendoza (http://mendoza.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html)

 

Because this locale is outside Brazil, i.e., air travel will be required, and the fact that there will be some folks that will want to include a stop-over in Buenos Aires, all transportation between Sao Paulo and Mendoza will be at the traveler’s discretion.  Nevertheless, to aid in your travel plans, we have investigated and priced two likely options for you:

 

Option #1: Multi-City Travel: U.S. è Sao Paulo è Mendoza (via Buenos Aires) è U.S. (via Buenos Aires)

Option #2: Two Roundtrips:  U.S. èSao Paulo (and return) and Sao Paulo èMendoza (and return)

 

As it turns out, the price is approximately the same for either option, i.e., about $1,400 to $2,000 per person, depending on where in the U.S. you originate your travel from.  Of course, for those persons who want to stop over in Buenos Aires for some sightseeing, the price will be more.

 

We are still coordinating the exact itinerary with an agency, but for now, the plan is to

 

a)      Spend three days visiting three local wine producers per day, in the area of

a.       Lujan de Cuyo (choosing from: Achaval Ferrer, Catena Zapata, CAP Vistalba, Dolium, Pulenta Estate, Lagarde, Norton, Luigi Bosca, *Decero, Septima, Belasco de Baquedano, Chandon, Melipal, Viña Cobos and Ruca Malén) and

b.      Maipu (choosing from: Lopez, Familia Zuccardi, Rutini La Rural, Familia DiTommaso, Cecchin, Carinae, Mendel, Trapiche and Trivento)

 

b)      Spend a fourth day traveling to the area of

a.       Valle de Uco region - located 80km south of Mendoza, home of high-end Malbecs and uninterrupted Andes views! This great wine producing area has famous wineries such as Clos de los Siete, Salentein, La Azul, O'Fournier, Andeluna and Atamisque)

 

(Maximum) anticipated expenses for the trip are:

 

Lodging:            $180/Night (includes Taxes), breakfast included

Wine Tours:        $250/person; 4 days of private tours, includes transportation & English-Speaking Tour Guide.

Wine Tastings:   $8-20/person/private tasting at 12+ wineries

Special Meals:    $60/person/meal; for as many as four Lunches at wineries offering a regional-gourmet pairing menu with wines. These specially designed pairings by local chefs are an outstanding experience set in vineyard-views restaurants and/or with the magnificent Andes as a backdrop.

Dinners:              $50/person/meal (individual or group setting)

Summary Costs: Approximately è $900/person plus lodging

 

Once a final number of travelers are confirmed, negotiations for lower/group rates will be conducted.

 

Some website suggestions, to get you “the feel” for this trip are:

http://www.holiday-weather.com/mendoza/averages/june/ (Weather)

)

 

 

 

Médoc 
 

The Route des Châteaux is a bit like the wine world’s version of the map to the homes of the stars. Officially known as D2, it traces the path of the Gironde River northwest of the city of Bordeaux through the Médoc, cabernet sauvignon’s native home, offering a tour of the region’s most prestigious classified growths.

To drive the Route des Châteaux through Margaux, St-Julien, Pauillac and St-Estèphe is to experience sensory overload. You can’t help but marvel at the classical proportions of the neo-Palladian villa of Château Margaux; experience a revelation about Château Latour as you witness how its gravelly vineyards slope toward the river’s edge; or begin to associate the gardens of Château Rauzan-Ségla with the wine’s beguiling floral aromas. Plan your trip in advance. Choose two châteaux you would like to get to know better and book your tastings long before you go.

Tastings are generally by appointment only. To organize a tasting at your favorite producer, go to the winery’s website and click on the contact page. Under the heading “visiting us” will be the email address of the person or department with whom you need to coordinate. Be sure to include your preferred times and dates.

Most of the top houses welcome visitors, including Château Pichon-Longueville Baron,Château Gruaud- Larose, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Cos d’Estournel. If you collect wines from a château that does not have an official public tasting program, see if your local wine shop can help. If they can’t, they may be able to recommend a producer with a comparable style.

 

 

 

Bordeaux: “The 2000 Vintage” by Jean-Michel Cazes of Chateau Lynch-Bages.

 

Note: Jean-Michel is also a Lifetime Member of the RWAF and a good friend! He was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar who spent his year studying Geology at the University of Texas in Austin.

 

Emerging Wine Regions: Uruguay 
Uruguay is on its way to becoming an important wine region thanks to tannat 
Jul 15, 2014
 

Burgundy has pinot noir, Napa Valley has cabernet sauvignon, and Uruguay has... If you don’t know how to finish that sentence, you soon will; the robust red grape tannat is Uruguay’s rising star. 

Tannat originated in the Basque region of southwest France, where the village of Madiran still produces high quality wines made from the grape. Otherwise, tannat is relatively unknown around the world, except in Uruguay, where it makes up one third of all wine produced and has become the “national wine.” 

Tannat vines were brought to Uruguay in the 1870s by Basque immigrants, so many of the vines currently planted are direct descendants of pre-phylloxera vines. Local winemakers say this gives Uruguayan tannat different qualities--less tannin, higher acidity--than its French counterpart. Many Uruguayan winemakers experiment with both types, as well as with blending tannat with “international varieties” like merlot and cabernet sauvignon, and with aging the wine in oak barrels. 

The wines made from tannat are robust, rich with dark fruit and chocolate notes, and have full tannic structures. They are excellent with meats, from steak to lamb to grilled chicken. A few of our favorites to pair with summer BBQ: 

PUEBLO DEL SOL Tannat Reserva 2010 (Juanico, Uruguay) $11 

BODEGA BOUZA Tannat Reserva 2011 (Canelones, Uruguay) $19 

PISANO ARRETXEA Tannat RPF 2011 (Uruguay) $19 

FAMILIA DEICAS PRELUDIO Barrel Select Red 2011 (Juanico, Uruguay) $45 

 

 

 

 

 

In this section we want to publicize any upcoming events that either the RWAF or local chapters are planning. An annual calendar will be maintained on the new website.

 

June 6-9, 2015: Rotary International Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Register early so there will be less chance of a conflict between our dinners and the opening and closing ceremonies. We are planning to have another good convention experience for RWAF members. We will have a wine tour of the Mendoza wine region, after the convention.

 

Very preliminary look at our wine events, per Stan Galanski and Carlos Guieros:

Saturday: Cooking Class(es) (possibly one in the afternoon and one in the evening); Attendees to number 16-24 per class; Price range = $75 to $100 USD per person

Sunday: Wine Tasting Dinner. Anticipate a Party of 20-30 People, Upscale; Price Range = $100 to $125 per person

Monday: Wine Tasting. Dinner optional; Anticipate a Party of 30-40 People; Price range = $60 to $75 USD per person

Tuesday: Farewell Dinner. Party for as many as 150 people; wines selected especially for the occasion; Price range = $80 to $100 per person

As we continue to do, we will list about ten value wines with each newsletter. These are wines from around the world that are readily available in many markets, are rated by some “expert” as being at least 88 points (out of 100) and which cost $20 USD or less. We would appreciate any additions suggested by any member. We feel that no matter what type of wine you enjoy, you ought to be able to find a good one at a reasonable price.

 

WS =  “Wine Spectator”

WA = “Wine Advocate”  (Robert Parker)

WE = “Wine Enthusiast”

CCH = Not yet rated, my score

 

We will always appreciate your comments and suggestions. You are receiving these newsletters because you are members of the RWAF and publishing a newsletter is one of the duties of a Rotary Fellowship. If you would like to discontinue receiving these newsletters, please so indicate by return email and you will be removed from our address list.

 

Thank you for the continued opportunity to serve.

Conrad C. Heede, PDG
President