Viña Doña Paula Sauvignon Blanc Tupungato Los Cardos, Argentina 2008

In 1997, The Claro Group opened the Dona Paula Winery with the purchase of their Ugarteche Estate which encompasses 346 acres of old Malbec and Chardonnay vines. The following year, the Tupungato Estate was obtained. The newly bought estate aided in giving the winemakers of Doña Paula a multifaceted platform to work off.

The underlying conditions showed a remarkable potential for delivering fresh, aromatic wines with high acidity, which were perfectly suited for short-cycle varieties. It took two years for the planting process to be completed, while the construction of a state -ofart winery commenced. All of the wine produced at Doña Paula is 100% Estate grown. Vineyard management is purely artisanal. Little mechanization is used in the vineyards, and most agricultural practices are manual.

The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the Tupungato estate. This color is pale yellow with a luminescent edge. Fresh lime peel, herbs and unripe currants emanate from the glass with the softest tropical undertone. The palate is fresh and bright with ripe citrus fruit and a spicy edge. The finish is persistent and maintains its freshness until the very end. This wine is crying out for garlicky grilled shrimp or Korean style BBQ chicken.

$9.99 per bottle

Viña Haras de Pirque Chardonnay Maipo Valley, Chile 2007

In 1991, after a highly successful business career in Chile's private sector, entrepreneur Eduardo Matte acquired an estate that he would later name Haras de Pirque, in the southwestern part of Pirque, a prestigious winegrowing area situated in the Maipo Valley. The name Haras de Pirques, honors the country’s oldest thoroughbred breeding ranch, founded in 1892.

The property covers 600 hectares and gently ascends the lower slopes of a spur of the Andes Mountains. In these foothills, between 1992 and 1993, one hundred and twenty hectares of vineyards were planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère, and the whites Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

While the majority of the world recognizes South American growing regions for the quality of their reds, the whites seem to be gaining a place in the sun as well. Despite the press to say otherwise, it seems that people still love a good bottle of Chardonnay. The folks at Haras have just the wine for those looking to explore a new region for Chardonnay.

Light straw in color with what look to be sunbeams radiating from within. Rich, intriguing nose, unripe tropical and citrus notes. Flavors of ripe lemon and mandarin open up into soft yellow apple. This is ripe, with a full, nutty finish. Dangerously reminiscent of orange chiffon and lemon poppy seed muffins.

$10.99 per bottle

Terra Andina Pinot Noir Reserva Valle de Leydo, Chile 2008

Terra Andina is an innovator within the Chilean wine industry. By blending grapes from different valleys with different micro climates and soil conditions, Terra Andina is focused on making quality wines that capture the full potential of Chilean viticulture.

They are striving to make wine for those who live for the pleasure of trying something new. The approach is a combination of paying close attention to the aspects of the best regions and traditions while trying to take them one step further.

Winemaker Oscar Salas came to Terra Andina after working at Cuosino Macul, Santa Rita and the Hartford Family. Working closely with 60 grape growers in each of Chile’s prized viticultural regions, he is attuned to how each grape expresses itself differently in each location, enabling him to fine-tune his blends. While he prizes the expressiveness and generous fruit of the New World style, he is careful to adhere to the Old World principles of achieving balance and finesse in his wines.

It shows a seductive and complex combination of black cherry and Raspberry aromas. Floral notes of rose petals and violets mingle with a soft touch of vanilla and coconut. This Pinot is full-bodied and rich, with a soft and velvety texture. The berries and vanilla escort the wine straight through to the finish making it creamy and soft, like baked berries with bruléed sabayon. This decadent number is perfect for grilled white meats or try a salad of arugula with feta and figs.

$12.99 per bottle

Viña Tabalí Cabernet Sauvignon Linura Valley, Chile 2007

Tabalí Vineyard starts on the edge of Valle del Encanto, where history and the heritage of old towns meet with the winemaking wisdom of today. Legend says that the valley is charmed and Tabalí vineyard has proposed to capture that charm in its wines.

Located in the Limarí Vally, Chile’s northernmost wine-producing region, its semi-arid Mediterranean climate and high summer temperatures, make the Limarí Valley an oasis for the production of fine wines. Its topography as a transversal valley open to the sea allows for the fog to blanket the area with cool air each morning, and coastal breezes to reach inland, essential for maintaining mild temperatures in summer. North of Santiago and approaching the southern edge of the Atacama Desert, the valley runs east west, from the striking Andean peaks to the pristine shores of the Pacific coast.

Its no wonder Cabernet grapes love this pristine terroir that has never known the tyrannical pest phylloxera. The 2007 Cabernet is truly a benchmark example of the Cabernet Chile is to eventually be known for.

Intense ruby red in color, the nose shows immediate complexity without much coaxing. Red and black plums, soft baking spice and vanilla aromas stand out. It is full-bodied, with ripe currant and cassis liqueur on the palate. The tannins are pronounced yet not dominating. A rich Cabernet to please even the most biased palate.

$14.99 per bottle