From: Valle de Uco, Argentina
Blend: Grenache, Syrah , Monastrell
Taste: This wine is a field blend of Grenache Noir, Monastrell, and Syrah all co-fermented. The nose is both fruity and earthy, showing off rich fruits like blackberry and bing cherry with undertones of forest floor, fungi, tea leaf, thyme, candied orange peel and worn leather. The palate is juicy and lush with black fruits, currant, and fine grained tannins that lead to a light finish of clove and cinnamon.
Pairing: A wine of this caliber calls for equally grand pairings. The robust nature of the GSM blends beckons for foods that pack a punch in flavor. This wine can hold its own, whether it's red meats, game, or dishes infused with mushroom and pepper sauces. Even pairings one might reserve for a Cabernet Sauvignon are fitting. The smoky, peppery flavors of the GSM blend are in perfect alliance with chargrilled and barbecued foods (including classic, marinated beef recipes from other countries, like Bulgogi, as shown below). From a sumptuous sirloin steak to cheese-stuffed, chargrilled peppers, you will enjoy your wine to the fullest.
Bulgogi
Recipe from Maangchi
Adapted by Julia Moskin
About. In 2012, the adventurous spirit of Eduardo Soler and his two companions took root in the fertile soil of Los Chacayes, Uco Valley, giving birth to Ver Sacrum. The concept was as clear: cultivating and creating wines from Rhone varietals. Drawing inspiration from the region's natural beauty, Ver Sacrum wines embody the ethos of honest winemaking—lighter skin contact, lower alcohol content, and the use of native yeasts. The touch of the human hand is evident from vine to bottle; the grapes are hand-harvested, and the majority are foot-crushed. The vineyards and winery experience minimal intervention, and no corrections, filtration, or pump overs are employed.
After Eduardo Soler's return to Mendoza, he collaborated with some of the region’s most audacious growers. Aside from winemaking, the mountains have always beckoned to Eduardo. A seasoned mountaineer, he has conquered numerous renowned peaks and patrolled the snowy slopes in Aspen and Mendoza. His passion for the slopes extends to owning and operating a ski resort just two hours from Mendoza. His dedication to creating something new while respecting ancient traditions is encapsulated in his words: "The Ver Sacrum is a symbol of the new tribe, new art, new vine. We renew this ancient vow with the audacity to create something new. This is our Ver Sacrum.”
Los Chacayes is an Indicación Geografica (IG) within the Uco Valley of the larger Mendoza region. This subregion is most known for its Malbec cultivation. Its strategic location in the Tunuyán department offers a terroir influenced heavily by altitude. With vineyards nestled between 1,100 and 1,500 meters above sea level, the variation in day-to-night temperatures aids in the phenolic maturation of grapes, ensuring rich color, tannin, and the development of aromatic compounds. This IG’s creation resulted from comprehensive research into the Uco Valley's unique topography, soils, and macroclimates. Notably, 24 producers united in 2019 to formally establish a producers' association for Los Chacayes, a zone whose history intertwines with French winemaker Francois Lurton, the pioneer who founded the first winery there.
Diving into the specifics of the 2021 Ver Sacrum GSM Los Chacayes, it comprises 70% Garnacha, 15% Monastrell, and 15% Syrah. The 15-acre vineyard, "La Rivera", planted in 2012, boasts sustainable farming practices, calcareous river stone soils, and an altitude of 3,600 feet. This blend sees 50% whole cluster stem inclusion and employs native yeasts for fermentation. After 14 days of maceration and 20 days of fermentation in a 3000L unlined cement egg, the wine is aged in 4th-use French oak for eight months, followed by 12 months in the bottle.
