Saturday, July 3, 2010

WCOW: Germany VS. Argentina

To celebrate the 2010 World Cup of Soccer in South Africa we are hosting a few nation VS. nation competitions of our own whenever two major wine producing countries meet.

Match 6 has Germany facing Argentina in a classic Quarterfinals battle on the pitch and a war of aromatic whites off the field. Native to Argentina, the Torrontés grape produces lovely white wines that have refreshing acidity and thrive in cold, dry conditions - similar to Riesling grown in Germany. Both wines are under $25 and both are new to us at Icon Wines.

Germany's Wine: Schloss Reinhartshausen 2008 Riesling
Region: Rheingau
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 12%
Notes: Dry but fruity with the slightest hint of residual sugar coming from the concentrated fruit flavours. Tangy citrus palate with lemon sorbet and grapefruit peel. Youthful aromas of lime zest and slate. Good quality and well balanced.

Argentina's Wine: Crios de Susana Balbo 2009 Torrontés
Region: Cafayate
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Notes: Dry with just the slightest residual sugar. Aromas of honey, spring flowers, apricots, tangerines and light minerals notes. Flavours of citrus fruit and bitter steel with vibrant acidity. Good quality and well balanced. Good typicity for a Torrontés.

The Conclusion:

Complexity (Nose): Crios de Susana Balbo
Complexity (Palate): Schloss Reinhartshausen
Food Friendly: Schloss Reinhartshausen
Concentration: Schloss Reinhartshausen
Expression of Terroir: Crios de Susana Balbo
Value: Crios de Susana Balbo
Winner: Crios de Susana Balbo

The off-field match-up was very tight (as was the battle on the pitch). The Torrontés wins the battle for its expression of terroir and vibrancy. If you have yet to try an Argentina Torrontés do so soon! It makes a unique alternative to traditional Riesling.
- Liam Carrier

Next Match: TBA - If Spain goes through we'll have a Semi-Final match with two world wine powers facing off.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the post Liam, our vote is for the torrontes as well!
    Thanks again,
    Ikal Wines

    ReplyDelete