Behind the Cork™ - Art of Earth Cabernet Sauvignon by Mack & Schuhle

2021 Art of Earth Cabernet Sauvignon by Mack & Schühle ($11.99)

One of the largest and most important viticultural groups in the world, the Mack & Schühle organization includes 29 cooperatives and around 5,000 winegrowers, managing more than 60,000 acres of vineyard plantings located throughout the top growing regions of Mendoza and San Juan in Argentina.

Art of Earth organic wines are true to their origins and winemaking traditions without the use of pesticides or herbicides. This Art of Earth Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Mendoza Argentina. The organic vineyards are located at 2300 to 2600 feet in elevation. The presence of the Andes Mountains, which act as a barrier to the humid winds of the Pacific, along with the distance to the Atlantic Ocean, generating ideal conditions for the cultivation of vines.

This Art of Earth Cabernet Sauvignon is produced with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that are both fermented and undergo malolactic conversion in stainless steel tanks - it sees no oak aging. It is medium ruby in color with black fruit aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied Cabernet has big red and black fruit flavors, firm tannin and balanced acidity. This young Cabernet Sauvignon should be decanted for a least an hour for best enjoyment.

This Mack & Schühle Art of Earth Organic Cabernet Sauvignon is available throughout most of the U.S. and, at $11.99, is a great value as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Imported by Mack & Schühle

 

Behind the Cork™ - Art of Earth Chardonnay by Mack & Schuhle

2022 Art of Earth Chardonnay by Mack & Schühle ($11.99)

One of the largest and most important viticultural groups in the world, the Mack & Schühle organization includes 29 cooperatives and around 5,000 winegrowers, managing more than 60,000 acres of vineyard plantings located throughout the top growing regions of Mendoza and San Juan in Argentina.

Art of Earth organic wines are true to their origins and winemaking traditions without the use of pesticides or herbicides. This Art of Earth Chardonnay comes from Mendoza Argentina. The organic vineyards are located at 2300 to 2600 feet in elevation. The presence of the Andes Mountains, which act as a barrier to the humid winds of the Pacific, along with the distance to the Atlantic Ocean, generating ideal conditions for the cultivation of vines.

This Art of Earth Chardonnay is produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes that are both fermented and undergo malolactic conversion in stainless steel tanks - it sees no oak aging. It is pale gold in color with subtle aromas of lemon, lime and tropical fruits. On the palate, this medium-bodied Chardonnay has bright flavors of citrus, yellow apple and pear with refreshing acidity on the finish.

This Mack & Schühle Art of Earth Organic Chardonnay is available throughout most of the U.S. and, at $11.99, is a great value as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Imported by Mack & Schühle

Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet Alavida Organic Kosher Malbec

Alavida Organic Kosher Malbec ($19)

Alavida Malbec joins a very select group of wines: it is USDA-certified organic and kosher. Certainly, the first wine of its type from Argentina, Alavida is one of few wines worldwide to attain this unusual dual status. The 100% Argentine, reserve-level Malbec from Domaine Bousquet is also vegan, gluten- free, and Ecocert-approved.

The Alavida name means “To Life” (“a la vida”) in Spanish -- which is taken from the traditional Hebrew toast “L’chaim!” The Domaine Bousquet estate, high in Argentina’s Uco Valley, is owned by Anne Bousquet and her husband, Labid al Ameri. Anne Bousquet notes that “Argentina is a nation rich in diversity, and our own multi-cultural family has been making certified organic wines in Argentina since 1997.”

The winemaking process for Alavida is almost identical to that used in making a non-kosher wine, with two exceptions. Ingredients such as yeast must be kosher, and the wine must be physically made by a sabbath-observant Jewish team under the supervision of a rabbi.

This wine is aged with 90% of the juice in contact with used oak to retain the purity of fruit, and 10% is in contact with new oak.

This Alavida Malbec is deep purple in color with rich black fruit aromas and a hint of sweet tobacco. On the palate, this 100% Malbec is full-bodied and dry with black cherry and black berry flavors as well as a touch of cocoa on its nice finish.

This affordable, great-tasting Malbec, which is USDA-certified organic and kosher, is a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. L’chaim and cheers!

For more information on kosher wines, see my recent blog.

ABV: 14.5%, RS: 1.52 g/L, Total Acidity: 5.77 g/L, pH: 3.68

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet via Creative Palate Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet Virgen Chardonnay

2022 Domaine Bousquet Virgen Chardonnay ($13)

Virgen wines are the first Argentine no-sulfites-added USDA-organic-certified wines to launch in the U.S., from Uco Valley-based Domaine Bousquet, Argentina’s largest exporter of organically grown wines.

Named for the virgin land where the Bousquet’s built Domaine Bousquet, this wine is a nod to the continued commitment by the winery to protect and preserve.

Some may associate the natural, no-sulfites-added wine movement with small-production, impossible-to-find, cloudy, funky and inconsistent wines. But not so with this Virgen wine. It is balanced, fresh and approachable: vegan, no oak, and great value for the price!

“We only tackled this project once we were confident that we could manage the challenges of making top-notch organic, no-sulfites-added wines. We also wanted to make sure that these wines remained true to our house style: elegant, with bright, clean, fruit flavors.” – Domaine Bousquet co-owner Anne Bousquet

This Virgen Natural 100% Chardonnay is a beautiful deep gold color with aromas of yellow apple, apricot and pineapple. On the palate this wine has rich apple flavor and some notable minerality. For a wine that is produced in stainless steel, it has a surprising richness and moderate acidity that leads to a soft finish.

This is a very serious Chardonnay that also happens to be USDA Organic, Vegan friendly, gluten free and has no sulfites added. This makes it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

ABV: 13.5%, RS: 1.56 gm/L, pH: 3.28, Acidity: 5.77 gm/L

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet Winery via Creative Palate Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Virgen Natural Red Blend

2021 Virgen Natural Red Blend ($13)

Domaine Bousquet is a family-owned winery in Mendoza, Argentina that is nestled in the mountain community of Tupungato. Their wine is organic and vegan. From the vine to the processing of the grapes to their focus on biodiversity and permaculture, their wine sets the standard for elegant, sustainable organic wine that is perfect for a gathering with friends or a quiet evening at sunset.

Domaine Bousquet “Virgen” wines are pure, not only made from organic fruit but has no sulfites added, thereby qualifying for fully organic USDA certification.

This Virgen Natural Red Blend is produced from 35% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. It undergoes cold maceration for 48 hours and fermentation for 10 days with indigenous and selected yeasts. It sees no oak aging.

This wine is deep purple in color with medium aromas of dark fruit and some peppery notes. On the palate, this dry wine has nice red and black fruit flavors including tart cherry along with medium tannin and acidity.

This is a tasty wine at a great price that fits right in as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Alcohol: 14%, Acidity-pH: 5.62/3.68, Residual Sugar: 1.84 gm/L