Restaurants

A Surprising Sparkle From Argentina: This South American Wine is Worthy of a Wedding

BY // 09.21.18

A week or so ago, we had friends over for dinner, dear friends who love food and wine and with whom we’ve dined on numerous occasions and never had a bad experience at the table. They live life with gusto, and it’s a joy to share a meal with them.

On the occasion of our most recent repast, I prepared a spicy cucumber soup topped with butter-poached shrimp, a Baeckeoffe made with pork shoulder and chuck roast, and salted caramel ice cream. We began the evening with Glenlivet neat and conversation (wine, more wine, the planning of a wedding, Italy, etc.), followed by the uncorking of a sparkling from Argentina that sparked lots of comment (all good) and an agreement that it would be a great choice to serve at the nuptials our friends are organizing.

This sparkling wine from Argentina is a worthy contender for any large gathering, and is ideal for an intimate dinner as well.

The wine is from Bodega Valentin Bianchi, located in Mendoza, Argentina. The Bianchi Brut Sparkling (NV) — 62 percent Chardonnay, 33 percent Pinot Noir, 5 percent Viognier — has a lovely color of golden straw and boasts lively, prolific bubbles. On the nose, it’s delicate, and will have you thinking melon and stone fruit. A first taste provides a refreshing brightness that gives way to brioche and almond. We drank this on its own, but I would certainly not be disappointed if it was served with brie and bread.

Bodegas Valentin Bianchi was founded in 1928, and is now in the hands of the family’s fourth generation. The grapes here come from Bianchi’s Dona Elsa Estate and Las Parades Estate, situated in the San Rafael DOC of Mendoza at 2,400 to 2,600 feet above sea level. The sparkling is made in the traditional Champenoise method, and is aged for one year in the bottles.

Serve this chilled, in a stemmed glass with a medium bowl (appreciating the aroma is key). Alcohol is at 13 percent, and its suggested retail price of $21.99 makes it a bargain.

Want more liquid refreshment? Check out PaperCity’s grape and spirits library:

Set your Easter Table with Bering's

Swipe
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024
  • Bering's Gift's Easter 2024

Here’s a Serious California Cab
Drink Provence!
An Irish Whiskey With a Caribbean Twist
A Syrah You’ll Love
Houston Sommelier Charms at River Oaks Restaurant
A Zinfandel for Daily Drinking
A Wine Family’s Excellent Adventure
Four Brothers and Some Great Young Wines
Your Endless Crush Rosé
Enrique Varela Loves Malbec
This Geologist Knows His Italian
A Chardonnay For Your Mother (and You)
Don’t Dismiss the Peat
Distinctive Whisky Enters a New Era
A Whisky Legend Visits Houston
A Rare Cask, Indeed
Austin Whisky, Strange Name
Here’s Your Texas Rum Goddess
A ZaZa Wine Guy Loves Great Service
A Merlot That Your Snob Friend Will Love
French Couple Make a Sauvignon Blanc in California
A Perfect Afternoon Chardonnay
Terry Theise Talks Reisling
A New Wine Wonderland
Paris Wine Goddess Tells All
Rice Village Wine Bar Has a Cleveland Touch
A Texas White Blend for Your Table
A Pinot Noir Full of Flavor
This Pinot Gris From Oregon Pairs Well With Cheese
Willamette, Dammit!
A Value Rioja
Drink Pink!
Underbelly Veteran Goes for Grenache
A Man of Letters and Wine
Ms. Champagne Wants a Nebuchadnezzar
The Wine Artist Goes for Chardonnay
This American Loves Spain and Its Wines
Houston’s Wine Whisperer Has a Soft Touch
Blackberry Farm’s Somm Pours in Splendor
Mr. Pinot Noir: Donald Patz of Patz & Hall
A Cork Dork Wants to Spend More Time in Tuscany
Sommelier Turned Restaurateur Daringly Goes Greek
Texas Master Sommelier Debunks Wine Geeks
A Bottle From Gigondas Changed This Houston Man’s Life

Oil Man Falls in Love, and the Rest is Good-Taste History
Ryan Cooper of Camerata is a Riesling Man
Mixing It Up With Jeremy Parzen, an Ambassador of Italy
Sommelier at One of Houston’s Top Wine Bars Loves Underdogs

 

Hop into Bering's this Easter for Egg-citing Finds!
Shop Berings
SHOP NOW

Featured Properties

Swipe
X
X