Argentina: Tailored to Taste
Like the three bears these three wineries are small, medium and large, unlike what goldilocks found there is no perfect size. Each has its advantage and each has their part to play.
Familla Cassone is a small family owned operation where all of the wines are handcrafted and made according to the vision of a single winemaker. The whole family is on on the operation from production to sales. The result is a small run of high quality wines that reflect the vision of the Cassone family, and the terroir of the area.
The boutique wines of Cassone exhibit a quality that is most often found at this level of production. Large enough to make a profit, small enough to be able to give personal attention to every barrel, every lot of wine. This doesn't mean that every wine they make is to my taste, but it does mean it is to their taste.
Andeluna Cellars was founded by the heir to the Frito-Lay fortune and it has that bigger than life feel that only a Texan could inspire. Their goal is to make consumer friendly wines that are primarily sold in the US and to that end they are very successful. The facilities boast an impressive view and just as impressive edifice.
The restaurant too can not help but to impress. A six course meal with a different bread for each offering is a nice touch. Andeluna Cellars is full of nice touches, and the many American visitors it receives appreciate them all. All of this luxury comes at a price. The cost of lunch is high for Argentina and the price of the wines in the US is at a premium.
Trivento is owned by the huge Chilean producer Concha y Toro who's mind boggling scale has been brought to Argentina. This is industrial winemaking at its best. With automated systems and the latest technology. Recognizing how difficult it is to make fine wines with this approach, the premium division is a winery within a winery.
Wine in a box and entry level quaffs require consistency and the economics of scale, but the best wines require a hands on approach and small vilifications. So all of the industrial equipment that goes into making so much of the wine at Trivento is duplicated in a more modest scale for their best wines. The economics also work in the consumer's favor, keeping the cost of the premium wine to a modest level.
The beauty of the wine industry is in the diversity. The many different flavors and the many different approaches producers of all size take towards their wines. Here in Argentina the gape varieties may be similar, but the wines are widely varying in style as can be seen by this trio of strategies .
My taste in wines leads me to prefer the Famillia Cassone offerings, while my wallet is fond of Trivento's wines, and my sense of style and love of luxury will long remember our visit to the exquisite Andeluna Cellars. There is something for everyone within a short drive from Mendoza, Argentina, or an even shorter drive to your local wine outlet.
Familla Cassone is a small family owned operation where all of the wines are handcrafted and made according to the vision of a single winemaker. The whole family is on on the operation from production to sales. The result is a small run of high quality wines that reflect the vision of the Cassone family, and the terroir of the area.
The boutique wines of Cassone exhibit a quality that is most often found at this level of production. Large enough to make a profit, small enough to be able to give personal attention to every barrel, every lot of wine. This doesn't mean that every wine they make is to my taste, but it does mean it is to their taste.
Andeluna Cellars was founded by the heir to the Frito-Lay fortune and it has that bigger than life feel that only a Texan could inspire. Their goal is to make consumer friendly wines that are primarily sold in the US and to that end they are very successful. The facilities boast an impressive view and just as impressive edifice.
The restaurant too can not help but to impress. A six course meal with a different bread for each offering is a nice touch. Andeluna Cellars is full of nice touches, and the many American visitors it receives appreciate them all. All of this luxury comes at a price. The cost of lunch is high for Argentina and the price of the wines in the US is at a premium.
Trivento is owned by the huge Chilean producer Concha y Toro who's mind boggling scale has been brought to Argentina. This is industrial winemaking at its best. With automated systems and the latest technology. Recognizing how difficult it is to make fine wines with this approach, the premium division is a winery within a winery.
Wine in a box and entry level quaffs require consistency and the economics of scale, but the best wines require a hands on approach and small vilifications. So all of the industrial equipment that goes into making so much of the wine at Trivento is duplicated in a more modest scale for their best wines. The economics also work in the consumer's favor, keeping the cost of the premium wine to a modest level.
The beauty of the wine industry is in the diversity. The many different flavors and the many different approaches producers of all size take towards their wines. Here in Argentina the gape varieties may be similar, but the wines are widely varying in style as can be seen by this trio of strategies .
My taste in wines leads me to prefer the Famillia Cassone offerings, while my wallet is fond of Trivento's wines, and my sense of style and love of luxury will long remember our visit to the exquisite Andeluna Cellars. There is something for everyone within a short drive from Mendoza, Argentina, or an even shorter drive to your local wine outlet.
posted by Wineguy at 6:12 AM
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