April 15, 2013
If enjoying a glass of wine isn’t enough of a reason to celebrate, join the universal celebration of Argentina’s emblematic red wine varietal – Malbec! Each year on April 17, the world celebrates Malbec World Day and Argentinian President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento‘s 1853 mission to transform Argentina’s wine industry.
…and my, how it’s been transformed! Once primarily used as a Bordeaux-varietal blending grape, today Malbec accounts for over 76,000 planted acres of vineyard in Argentina, which is now the world’s main producer of this rich, versatile, and beautiful varietal!
Enjoy a glass of 2011 Recuerdo Malbec on April 17 paired with some of our favorite, savory, Malbec-friendly dishes…
-
-
Smoky BBQ Chicken
-
-
Carne Asada Tacos
-
-
Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti
-
-
French Onion Soup
-
-
Sweet-Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Spinach
-
-
BBQ Beef Ribs
Recipes:
1. Smoky BBQ Chicken
2. Carne Asada Tacos
3. Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti
4. French Onion Soup
5. Sweet-Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Spinach
6. BBQ Beef Ribs
Acquire Recuerdo Wines in our online shop or by joining Bespoke Membership – Recollection to receive regular shipments of Recuerdo Wines and accrue Bespoke Benefits points at an accelerated rate to redeem for exclusive experiences in Napa Valley; Mendoza, Argentina; or in your locale!
 Posted in Malbec | Comments Off
April 9, 2013
Spring is in full swing and summer is just on the horizon – This is the perfect time to trade in corks for twist-off white wine! Lighten up with Recuerdo Torrontés – a versatile and refreshing Southern Hemisphere white wine, offering exceptional quality and value. A favorite companion for BBQs, poolside parties, or just hanging out with friends, Recuerdo Torrontés is the perfect wine to twist up the season! Follow these fan photos for seven inspirations on how to enjoy Torrontés this summer…
1) Lounging by the Pool (or Hot Tub)
The bottle is sleek and chic…the juice, crisp and cool…Recuerdo Torrontés is the perfect match for those lazy summer days by the pool (or hot tub).
2) Summer Weddings
“Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue…”
Ahh…summer means wedding season…A time to reflect on love and commitment, a time to celebrate a new union, and a time to serve a memorable wine and free canapés to 250 of your closest friends and family! Perfectly light and inviting, Recuerdo Torrontés is the perfect libation to pour for the ones you love. PS…Did you know “recuerdo” means “to remember?”
3) Backyard BBQ
When you think BBQ, you probably think “big reds.” While Recuerdo Malbec pairs perfectly with burgers and ribs, may we suggest a more refreshing grilling alternative? Lighten up your BBQ with a bottle of Recuerdo Torrontés, which pairs perfectly with savory crab cakes, grilled oysters, summer salads and lighter fare.
4) At the Spa
Wooosahhh….Relax and unwind with a 50 minute facial, an 80 minute deep-tissue massage, and a Zen-like glass of Recuerdo Torrontés. Feel your stress fade away…
5) Working from Home
Admit it! If you work from home, sometimes you sneak a little drink around the 4pm work hour. One (JUST ONE) glass of Recuerdo Torrontés not only takes the edge off, but pairs perfectly with Excel spreadsheets, cold calling, report writing and teleconferencing (no video, please)!
6) Post-Workout
Oh, why not?! The goal of any workout is to make room for more wine…isn’t it?!
7) Walking the Dog
Whether you’re walking a teacup Yorkie (like the vicious Duke, below) or a giant bull mastiff, one glass of Recuerdo Torrontés will always make the stroll more enjoyable…Two glasses, and you won’t even mind the “pick-up!”
We hope you’ve been inspired “Twist it Up” with Recuerdo Torrontés!
Acquire Recuerdo Wines in our online shop or by joining Bespoke Membership – Recollection to receive regular shipments of Recuerdo Wines and accrue Bespoke Benefits points at an accelerated rate to redeem for exclusive experiences in Napa Valley; Mendoza, Argentina; or in your locale!
Posted in Torrontes | Comments Off
April 1, 2013
What is Torrontés? [Tohr-ron-tez]
This is Torrontés!
Torrontés, the emblematic white wine of Argentina, is the most planted white grape varietal in the country with over 30,000 planted acres strewn throughout the Argentine wine regions. While it is the number one white varietal in Argentina, Torrontés production is less than 1/2 of its red counterpart, Malbec. Malbec accounts for over 70,000 planted acres of vineyard in Argentina.
Some of the most highly revered Torrontés wines are made with grapes from the La Rioja and Salta provinces in Northern Argentina. Geographically, La Rioja is between Salta and the Argentine wine capital of Mendoza (approximately 430 miles South of Salta and 370 miles North of Mendoza).
Recuerdo Torrontés is harvested in La Rioja!
The hue of the label reflects the color of the Argentine flag.
In La Rioja, the grapes are often planted in harsh conditions. The high altitudes, varying temperatures, low humidity and sandy soils strain the grapes and make them fight for survival. The end result is a distinctly unique wine with rich aromas of flowers, apricots and peaches.
Torrontés Tidbits:
- Torrontés was brought over from Spain by 16th century conquistadors and missionaries.
- It is a natural combination of the Muscat de Alejandro, which originated in North Africa and the Mission grape, known in Argentina as Criolla Chica.
- No other wine growing region in the world cultivates Torrontés as much as Argentina, although this grape is found sparingly in Spain and New Zealand.
- The aromas of Torrontés are often compared to those of fine Viogniers, Muscats and Gewurztraminers.
- Torrontés grapes are round, medium sized, usually of a yellowish green color, sometimes more golden.
- Torrontés is best fermented at cool temperatures, and then aged in a neutral container, such as stainless steel or old oak barrels (so they don’t impart as much flavor), to preserve its fragrance and crisp acidity.
Stay tuned for more from the Torrontés Blog Series…
Acquire Recuerdo Wines in our online shop or by joining Bespoke Membership – Recollection to receive regular shipments of Recuerdo Wines and accrue Bespoke Benefits points at an accelerated rate to redeem for exclusive experiences in Napa Valley; Mendoza, Argentina; or in your locale!
Posted in Torrontes | Comments Off
March 22, 2013
Spring has sprung in the Northern Hemisphere, and nothing pairs better with warm weather, lengthy daylight hours and fresh blossoms like a cool, crisp glass of 2011 Recuerdo Torrontés!
In our last edition of “Tastes & Nose from the Average Joes,” our office employees agreed with Wine Advocate‘s 90-point, professional rating of the 2011 Recuerdo Malbec. Aroma and flavor descriptors from our Marketing Intern, IT Manager and Private Client Director closely mirrored Robert Parker’s Malbec adjectives — “blackberry, strawberry jam, toast, oak, and plum.”
But now comes the true challenge...
While the Malbec varietal is widely known in the world of wine, Torrontés — with its citrus perfume and pronounced floral essence — is slowly, but steadily carving out an abundance of loyal zealots!
Like the Malbec, the 2011 Recuerdo Torrontés scored 90-points with Wine Advocate, but will the emblematic white wine of Argentina win the hearts and palates of our Average Joes?
We are happy to present you with segment two of “Tastes & Nose from the Average Joes!”
 Average Joe #1
Name: Reggie W.
Title: Private Client Services & Wine Education
Hobbies: Coaching basketball, spending time with family and speaking in a deep voice
Subject: 2011 Recuerdo Wines Torrontés
Nose Notes: “I get a hint of lemon zest & vanilla…Like lemony-créme sunflowers.”
Tasting Notes: “Lots of tropical notes. It’s fresh and clean on the mid-palate with a briny finish. Delicious and unique!”
Pairing Suggestions: “Pairs well with the back patio, interesting phone conversations with wine enthusiasts and Vietnamese food.”
Score: ♥♥♥♥♥ out of a possible ♥♥♥♥♥
Average Joe #2
Name: Linda L.
Title: Accounting Associate
Hobbies: Mountain bike racing, off-road triathalons and Iron Man competitions
Subject: 2011 Recuerdo Wines Torrontés
Nose Notes: “Very floral, like pretty orange blossoms.”
Tasting Notes: “I get a touch of lemongrass flavor with a very crispy mid-palate and a hint of tart apple on the finish.”
Pairing Suggestions: “Pairs well with filing papers at work…and sitting on the dock of the bay with cheese.”
Score: 93 Excel Spreadsheets
 Average Joe #3
Name: Jose A.
Title: Operations Coordinator
Hobbies: Running, playing and following tennis, cycling, shipping stuff
Subject: 2011 Recuerdo Wines Torrontés
Nose Notes: “Nice and airy – crisp aromas of citrus, honeysuckle and vanilla…but not quite vanilla.”
Tasting Notes: “Light entry…smooth citrus and pear flavors…with a hint of toast. Nice finish.”
Pairing Suggestions: “Pairs well with alfredo sauce and salmon and warm days and logistics and heavy-lifting.”
Score: 95-digit tracking number
Victory! When it comes to the 2011 Recuerdo Torrontés, our Average Joes’ agree…It’s a winning wine!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Acquire Recuerdo Wines in our online shop or by joining Bespoke Membership – Recollection to receive regular shipments of Recuerdo Wines and accrue Bespoke Benefits points at an accelerated rate to redeem for exclusive experiences in Napa Valley; Mendoza, Argentina; or in your locale!
Posted in Malbec, Torrontes | Comments Off
February 13, 2013
We are pleased to announce that both the 2011 Recuerdo Wines Malbec and the 2011 Recuerdo Wines Torrontés have received  wonderful scores and compliments from some of the best wine writers and most-revered wine publications out there! Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate rated both wines 90 points and used words like “blackberry, strawberry jam, toast, oak, and plum” to describe the flavor of the Malbec. Wine Enthusiast‘s review of the Torrontés is chock-full of lovely flavor descriptors – “Flavors of tangerine, melon and lychee are authentic and well balanced, while the finish is musky, fresh and confirms the wine’s high quality.”
“Honored” does not begin to describe our feelings about the accolades received for our up-and-coming Argentine label! And while the experts know how to pin-point the beauty of our wines, we wondered what the “average joe” might say about the aromas, flavors and pairing suggestions for the wines….
We are happy to present you with segment one of “Tastes & Nose from the Average Joes!”
 Average Joe #1
Name: Anie P.
Title: Marketing Intern
Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking, Volleyball, Baking & Drinking Wine (not necessarily all at the same time)
Subject: 2011 Recuerdo Wines Malbec
Nose Notes: “I smell blackberries, warm campfire and a waft of 5:00 pm on a Friday evening”
Tasting Notes: “Plum pie and probably bramble-berry if I knew what bramble-berry tasted like.”
Pairing Suggestions: “Pairs well with Social Media and stubborn copy machines!”
Score: 95 likes (out of a possible 100)
 Average Joe #2
Name: Cheston B.
Title: IT Manager
Hobbies: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
Subject: 2011 Recuerdo Wines Malbec
Nose Notes: “I get hints of toasted sugar and dark fruits. How’s that sound? Maybe a bit of plum.”
Tasting Notes: “Definitely blueberries with a heavy mid-palate and a long, satisfying finish – Like a successful data migration!”
Pairing Suggestions: “Probably goes great with a medium-rare steak and high-speed internet.”
Score: 32 Gigabytes
Average Joe #3
Name: Amy P.
Title: Private Client Director
Hobbies: Rock climbing, running, not cooking
Subject: 2011 Recuerdo Wines Malbec
Nose Notes: “I get lots of spiced cherry and dark cocoa.”
Flavor Notes: “Mmmm…It’s good! Blackberry jammy. Umami!”
Pairing Suggestions: “I could definitely see this pairing well with report building and long conference calls!”
Score: 5 stars!
And there you have it! When it comes to the 2011 Recuerdo Malbec, our Average Joes’ agree…It’s a winning wine!
Stay tuned for segment two of “Tastes & Nose from the Average Joes” and find out if the 2011 Torrontés fares as well…
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Acquire Recuerdo Wines in our online shop or by joining Bespoke Membership – Recollection to receive regular shipments of Recuerdo Wines and accrue Bespoke Benefits points at an accelerated rate to redeem for exclusive experiences in Napa Valley, Argentina or in your locale!
Posted in Malbec, Torrontes | Comments Off
July 31, 2012
 Sunset Magazine, the leading media brand of the Western Lifestyle, launched its first Sunset International Wine Competition on July 9-10, 2012. The competition resulted in two top honors for Recuerdo Wines! The inaugural 2010 Recuerdo Malbec ($22 retail) was awarded a coveted gold medal, while its white wine counterpart, 2011 Torrontés ($15 retail), received an impressive silver medal.
The recent awards from Sunset tail other positive editorial reviews for the brand that is imported by Napa Valley’s Blackbird Vineyards. The 2010 Recuerdo Malbec received a 90 point Wine Enthusiast review in August, 2012 and was praised by The Wine Advocate’s Neal Martin who tweeted on the wine, “pure Malbec heaven.” Additionally, the 2011 Recuerdo Torrontés was one of only four Torrontés to win a gold/silver medal at the 2012 San Francisco International Wine Competition.
The Malbec grapes for Recuerdo Wines are grown at over 3,700 feet in the heart of the Uco Valley. This prime grape-growing region enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year, a pure irrigation source from the Andes Mountains, rocky organic soils, and a broad variance between day and evening temperatures. These conditions allow the renowned winemaking team of Santiago Achával and Pablo Martorell to produce incredibly concentrated and complex wines with amazing structure and balance. The Torrontés grapes are grown in similar conditions in Famatina Valley in La Rioja, an outstanding region for Torrontés grapes.
Read the entire press release….
Purchase Recuerdo Wines…
Posted in Malbec, Torrontes | Comments Off
July 11, 2012
We are in the thick of summer and there is no better time to gather around the table and share food and drink with friends and loved ones. Recuerdo Torrontés, an emblematic white wine of Argentina, is the new go-to libation when thinking of wine and food pairings. With the help of Chef Richard Haake of WineryChefs.com, we have found a perfect (and perfectly simple) Argentinean entrée to pair with this cool, crisp and food-friendly wine…
Sizzling Red Shrimp & Chorizo
Prep Time: 15 mins │ Cook Time: 10 mins │ Servings: 4-6
Chorizo Ingredients:
1 pound pork shoulder or butt, coarsely ground, or ground pork
1 teaspoon sweet, smoked paprika
1 teaspoon hot, smoked paprika
1 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons sherry
Freshly ground black pepper
Other Ingredients:
2 teaspoons grape seed oil
1 clove garlic, cut into thin slivers
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 pound of medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
¼ cup Recuerdo Torrontés
1 cup piquillo or serrano peppers, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
2 wedges of lemon
Salt and pepper
1 fresh baguette, sliced and placed in bread basket
Directions:
- To make homemade chorizo, place all of the chorizo ingredients in a bowl and combine the mixture thoroughly, making sure to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Place a large sauté pan over medium- high heat.
- Add the grape seed oil.
- Break the chorizo apart into small pieces and add to the pan.
- Cook the chorizo until it starts to brown.
- Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
- Deglaze the pan with the Torrontés and reduce the liquid by half.
- Season the shrimp with the smoked paprika.
- Add the shrimp and cook until pink.
- Add the peppers and parsley and cook for 30 seconds.
- Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Place the finished shrimp in a serving dish, garnish with lemons and serve with fresh sliced bread.
Enjoy with a glass of Recuerdo Torrontés!
*Don’t forget to submit photos of your completed recipe to marketing@recuerdowines.com for a chance to win a Recuerdo Wines sampler box!
Learn more about Recuerdo Wines! To acquire Recuerdo Torrontés, visit our online store.
Stay tuned for the next segment of the Torrontés Blog Series…
Posted in Torrontes | Comments Off
March 13, 2012
Each year, Pantone, the global authority on all things color, unveils their Fashion Color Report just in time for New York Fashion Week. Two of the selected colors are Tangerine Tango and Cockatoo, which just so happen to be the colors of Bespoke Collection’s latest wine brand – Recuerdo Wines.
According to Pantone: “Provocative Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, is a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone’s outlook this spring. Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green, is sure to make your spirits soar. This unusual hue adds a whimsical touch to the palette and will make a statement this spring.”
The two colors may be an unexpected duo, but they are absolutely complementary. There is something so bold about the exotic orange against the bright turquoise that just radiates confidence and positive energy. While the orange is more fiery, the blue is proven to be a calming color, creating an overall fresh statement.
Maybe it’s your house that needs to be more fashion forward this spring? Try incorporating this spring’s colors into your décor.
 Add in a bold lamp base or some patterned throw pillows. Subtle changes, like swapping out a white vase for blue, or picking up orange roses instead of red, can make all the difference in updating your home this season. Experiment with different shades of the two colors until you find the one that appeals most to your eye. For dinner parties, Recuerdo’s Malbec and Torrontes will match your color scheme perfectly, and help to create an overall refreshing experience.
Posted in Malbec, Torrontes | 1 Comment »
December 26, 2011
Get the party started for the New Year with these memorable appetizers paired perfectly to a selection of wines from the Bespoke Collection. These elegant, creative, and simple recipes are courtesy of the always ingenious, Martha Stewart. Enjoy!
Endive Spears with Lobster, Avocado, and Grapefruit
Paired with Recuerdo Wines Torrontés
Ingredients:
1 pink grapefruit, peel and pith removed
1 avocado, peeled and pitted
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 ounces cooked lobster meat
4 heads Belgian endive (about 8 ounces)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 fresh tarragon
Directions:
Using a small paring knife, remove sections from grapefruit. If sections are too large, cut in half crosswise. Set aside.
Slice avocado into 1/8-inch-thick slices; cut slices into 1-inch lengths. Toss in bowl with lemon juice, and set aside.
Cut lobster into bite-size pieces; set aside.
Trim bottoms from endives; separate spears. Place a grapefruit section on top of each endive spear. Top with piece of avocado, then a piece of lobster. Season with salt and pepper; garnish with tarragon. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately.
Crostini with Kale and Parmesan
Paired with Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley Marsanne
Ingredients:
1 baguette, sliced 1/2 inch thick on the diagonal
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds kale, preferably Tuscan, stems removed, leaves sliced into 1/4-inch-thick strips
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 small wedge Parmesan
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange bread slices on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until light golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil and garlic over medium-high until garlic is fragrant. Add kale and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add 1 cup water; cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated, 12 minutes. Uncover and cook until liquid is evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Toss with lemon juice.
Top crostini with kale. With a vegetable peeler, shave Parmesan onto top.
Beef and Asparagus Negimaki
Paired with Blackbird Vineyards Illustration
Ingredients:
Salt, for water
24 thin stalks asparagus, or 12 thick stalks sliced in half lengthwise
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar
1 bunch scallions, greens only
1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Ice water, for bath
Directions:
Preheat a grill or grill pan until hot, or prepare oven broiler. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Cut off asparagus ends to within 3 1/2 inches from tips; reserve bottoms for another use. Place tips in boiling water; cook until bright green but still crunchy, about 1 minute. Prepare an ice-water bath. Drain asparagus; transfer to an ice-water bath to stop cooking. Drain asparagus again in a colander, and set aside.
Whisk together soy sauce and sugar until dissolved; set aside. Cut scallions into 3 1/2-inch lengths, julienned lengthwise; set aside.
Slice tenderloin into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. Place one slice between two pieces of plastic; pound lightly to an even thickness. Remove plastic; trim into 2-by-5-inch rectangle. Repeat with remaining beef.
Dip a piece of beef in soy-sauce mixture, and place on a clean surface. Season with pepper. Place 1 piece of scallion and 2 asparagus tips across 1 end of beef, so vegetables extend over edges; roll. Set aside. Repeat with remaining beef and vegetables.
Grill or broil negamaki, brushing with sauce and turning, until slightly charred and medium rare, about 2 minutes. Serve.
Posted in Torrontes | Comments Off
December 21, 2011
“An “overnight success” usually has a long back story of early promise, hard work, lucky breaks and plenty of hurdles overcome. Argentine Malbec is no exception. Today, this full-bodied red wine is an international star, but fewer than 20 years ago it was virtually ignored even in its ancestral home of France. How Malbec beat the odds is a tale of luck, talent and persistence…”
- The feature article in Wine Spectator’s December 2011 issue
Wine Spectator’s article is the perfect story of how Argentine Malbec rose to fame. For a long time Argentine wine was a blank space on the map for most Americans, but at a steady rate Argentina’s wine export market began to surge, heavy foreign investment came in and a gold rush began. By 2010, Argentina exported more than 4 million cases of Malbec to the United States, representing 60 percent of its exports to the US. Now in 2011, the message is pretty clear: Americans love Malbec. You can’t find a wine list, store shelf, or home cellar without it.
We share the same enthusiasm for Argentine wines with our newest wine brand – Recuerdo Wines. Our story began five years ago in Mendoza, Argentina, in a rock-strewn vineyard encircled by majestic weeping willow trees. While enjoying a classic asado, plenty of vino, and the breathtaking Andes Mountains in the background, we started to discuss a “Northern Hemisphere (38° North) meets Southern Hemisphere (32° South)” winemaking partnership. That lead to a visit with The Vines of Mendoza by President Paul Leary, a Private Vineyard Estate Owner in Argentina and principal at Blackbird Vineyards in Napa Valley, and the rest, as they say, is history… Recuerdo Wines was born.
Recuerdo means “memory” or “memento” in Spanish. As such, the Recuerdo winemaking team of Santiago Achával (noted in Wine Spectator as being at the forefront of Malbec’s evolution) and Pablo Martorell passionately believes that each bottle of Recuerdo Torrontés and Malbec should not only represent Argentina’s native terroir within the Uco Valley, but also serve as a memory of each and every harvest.
Recuerdo Wines embraces life’s greatest pleasures: wine, food, travel, friendship, and memories. Our dream of joining fans both north and south of the Equator is finally a reality. Now anyone looking for great wine adventures can partake in exclusive experiences through Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley, Blackbird Vineyards’ exclusive tasting gallery in the Napa Valley, and The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room in Mendoza, Argentina. We are truly excited about this unique partnership and its infinite possibilities. ¡Salud!
Posted in Malbec | Comments Off
|
Trade & Media