South American Wine Discoveries Are Here!

Just like Inca gold, New South American wines are coming into each Central Market, not to enrich your pocketbook, but to enrich your soul. Each and every wine was vetted (sometimes repeatedly) by your eight intrepid wine managers from each Central Market location. Like a modern day band of conquistadors, we suffered every hardship (lots of empanadas, beef, buses and planes) to bring you some new and special wines at value prices. Check out our weekly flyer for a complete list of the wines and other specials, starting 09-09-09. Below I have listed some of my favorites including my top pick of the trip.

My top pick for value and quality Chono Reserva Carmènere: $13.99/sale $11.95

A real surprise was how much the ‘soul of Chile’ speaks through this wine.This wine is ideal with any type of grilled meat. It pairs perfectly with a steak, lovely with lamb, or try it with a Chilean staple, a big beef Empanada (a favorite of mine).

And now for something completely different:

Falernia Pedro Jimenez $11.95/sale $9.95

I have to say this was the most surprising and delightful discovery. Pedro Jeminez is a Sherry grape first of all, and to find it in Chile incarnated as a fresh and thirst quenching white was very cool. I think this is the perfect wine for Texas cuisine.

The wine is aromatic with dried orange peel, acacia and citrus notes, has a very silky mouthfeel, complex flavors of Quince and Meyer lemon and a crisp finish. The texture makes it ideal with spicy foods and the bright acidity makes it pair perfectly with seafood. In Chile we even had it with steak and it was awesome!

An old axiom says you can’t make good wine without drinking a lot of beer, so for you beer lovers (me included), look for Quilmes lager from Argentina. This beer is very refreshing and similar to a Mexican lager but has a tad more body and is very palate cleansing.

Check out your local Central Market for these and other South American Discoveries, and don’t forget to ask the Wine Manager what their favorite is!

Seth, Wine and Beer, Central Market North Lamar