It was a cold and snowy winter night, and I reached for Argentina’s Art of Earth Wines. It’s summer in Argentina, so at least I can think of warm weather and sunshine.
Art of Earth Wines is the largest viticultural group in the world. With 29 cooperatives and 5,000 winegrowers, they manage 25,000 hectares of vineyard plantings throughout the top growing regions of Mendoza and San Juan.
Their wines strive for a pure expression of the region, true to their origins and free of pesticides and herbicides.
Art of Earth Chardonnay SRP $11.99 – You can’t beat the price and the taste. The grapes are carefully selected and undergo vinification in stainless steel tanks with no oak. My first sip took me poolside on a warm summer day. Aromas of lime and slate. Crisp with a nice roundness on the palate shows the malolactic fermentation with a great grape expression. Juicy pineapple and tropical fruit with hints of minerality. A nice lemony finish. I served this with Shrimp and Grits, and it was a perfect meal!
Art of Earth Cabernet Sauvignon SRP $11.99 – This Cabernet Sauvignon truly reflects the region’s unique terroir, characterized by the influence of the Andes Mountains and the semi-arid desert conditions. The wine undergoes vinification with controlled temperature fermentation and aging in stainless steel tanks, preserving its bold and complex flavors true to the grape. This is a drink now, wine. Lovely black currant with a hit of cocoa and spice. Straightforward drinking and a good everyday Cabernet.