From: Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal: Garnacha
Taste: This utterly charming Garnacha is an elegant, vibrant, and fresh wine that delights the senses (slightly richer than 2020 in that the fruit has a more exuberant quality, and the baking spice notes are more prominent than the herbal and floral characteristics). The wine pours a beautiful ruby red with a hint of purple, displaying a youthful exuberance. On the nose, aromas of ripe red cherry, raspberry, and black pepper are interwoven with herbal notes of sage and thyme. The palate is light and refreshing, with flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a touch of lemon balm adding complexity to the juicy red fruit core. A bright acidity and fine-grained tannins provide structure, leading to a long and satisfying finish with lingering red fruit flavors. This wine showcases the potential of Garnacha in the unique terroir of Los Chacayes.
Pairing: The 2021 Ver Sacrum Garnacha is an incredibly versatile wine that can be enjoyed with a wide range of dishes. Its bright acidity and red fruit flavors make it a perfect match for grilled or roasted poultry, such as chicken or turkey. The wine's herbal notes complement herb-marinated pork (or check out the recipe below!), and its light body ensures that it won't overpower the flavors of the dish. For seafood, consider pairing it with grilled salmon or tuna, or even a shrimp and chorizo paella. The wine's acidity and tannins can also cut through the richness of slightly spicy dishes, such as Thai or Indian curries.
The 2020 Ver Sacrum Garnacha also pairs beautifully with vegetarian dishes. The wine's bright acidity and red fruit flavors work well with a tomato-based pasta dish, such as a puttanesca or arrabbiata, or a vegetable lasagna. For something lighter, consider a Mediterranean-inspired quinoa salad with roasted vegetables, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. The wine's herbal notes can be accentuated by pairing it with a rosemary and thyme-infused mushroom risotto, or a ratatouille featuring eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers. To explore the wine's spicier side, try it with a vegetarian chili or a vegetable curry with a touch of heat.
Sweet and Salty Grilled Pork With Citrus and Herbs
By Alison Roman
About. Discover the 2021 Ver Sacrum Garnacha, a true gem from the Uco Valley in Argentina. This elegant wine is hand harvested from a single vineyard in the Los Chacayes IG, where winemaker Eduardo Soler and his team have crafted a fresh, light, and vibrant wine that showcases the potential of Rhone varietals in this unique terroir.
The wine is made from 100% Grenache Noir, a grape variety that has found a new home in Los Chacayes. The region's diverse soils and altitudes create the perfect environment for a range of grape varieties, with Garnacha thriving in its new Argentinian surroundings. The Ver Sacrum vineyard, planted in 2012, spans 15 acres and sits at an altitude of 3,600 feet, where sustainable farming practices are used to preserve the natural beauty of the land.
The 2021 vintage offers a vibrant nose of red cherry, raspberry, sage, thyme, and black pepper that leads into a light mid-palate with hints of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of lemon balm. The result is a light wine with a bright finish and lingering red fruit flavors. With an alcohol content of 12.8% and a case production of 950 12-packs, this limited wine is a must-try for any wine enthusiast.
Winemaker Eduardo Soler's passion for adventure and exploration is evident in his approach to winemaking. After falling in love with mountain Garnacha during a trip to Madrid, Soler returned to Mendoza and founded Ver Sacrum in 2012 with the goal of creating fresh, low-alcohol, and easy-drinking wines using Rhone varietals. His commitment to minimal intervention in both the vineyard and winery ensures the natural expression of the grapes and terroir.
The 2021 Ver Sacrum Garnacha underwent a 7-day semi-carbonic maceration at low temperatures, followed by 18 days of fermentation in a 3,000-liter unlined cement egg. The wine was then aged for seven months in a combination of concrete egg and used French oak, with 50% of the wine remaining in contact with the lees for added complexity. A light cartridge filtration was used to preserve the wine's delicate flavors.
Los Chacayes, an exciting wine region in the Uco Valley, is known for its excellent white and red wines. With over 1,885 hectares of vineyards and altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 1,700 meters above sea level, this diverse region produces wines with unique character and depth. The 2020 Ver Sacrum Garnacha is a shining example of the potential of Los Chacayes and the skill of winemaker Eduardo Soler.
Don't miss the opportunity to taste this exceptional Garnacha from Ver Sacrum. The 2021 vintage is a testament to the dedication and artistry of Eduardo Soler, and it showcases the incredible potential of Los Chacayes as a premier wine region in Argentina.