* OT *
develop a relationship with a wine shop that will ship out of the country
I have found a couple of wine stores that may just do that, however, there may be some US laws that may stop me from importing the wine, I will have to research that.
As for the Internet, I have looked before, but never found an Argentinean wine. Partly it has been my lack of deep knowledge of the particular producers and bottlers of Argentinean wine and indeed Chilean wine, which is as good, or even better. (but that is changing rapidly).
Re: Sulfites.
Sulfites is used in wine making to stop fermentation at a point that the continued natural process of fermentation would convert sugar in the grape into alcohol. Too high alcohol content, past a certain level is not desirable, hence the use of Sulfites. Sulfites have been used in wine making for centuries.
However, although I have no factual base to say the following, (but more and more I am convinced it is the case), here is my theory:
Wine consumption in the US is a relative new thing at a large level. The 1970 and 80's saw a great deal of "push" to make such practice more "acceptable". (In comparison to most Latin/Latin American countries, particularly those where French, Italian and Spanish influence is more prevalent).
There was a lot of money invested in wineries in California, Oregon, and Washington state (as well as other places in the east coast), many of which were, (and in some cases, still are), either marginally profitable or are supported by their owners. Naturally, they are interested in producing wines rather efficiently and more like a factory than a "boutique" winery. (there are many exceptions to this of course, but rarely do we, mere mortals, get to taste the production of the "boutique" wineries).
Because the fermentation process can be somehow "uncertain" if left on its own, there is no "schedule" as to when it will be finished... So, in an attempt to "industrialize wine production" to have a more "regular process" it is my belief that Sulfites are added without a detailed analysis of how much should be added, it is simply "added" as part of an industrial process, and not a craft. (of wine making).
My evidence for this is that higher quality red wines from Europe, DO NOT give me a headache, (and now, so far, ALL Argentinean wines, and probably Chilean wines have the same effect, i.e. no headache)
I believe that these wines are made in a more "relaxed" fashion, where perhaps the amount of sulfites added is much less.
There is another aspect to this... It has to do with the red wine produced in California particularly the 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon (unblended, unlike most Bordeaux wines, which are blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and in some cases, Cabernet Franc ).
I believe Cabernet Sauvignon yields a wine with lots of Tannin, and this could also be the source of the headaches, particularly because there are few California Cabernet that are allowed to age properly, so what is available to drink is very young (4 - 5 years or younger). These wines are so powerful that they could age 15 to 20 years, during such time they would mellow.
Yesterday, an Argentinean lady told me that California Cabernets tasted like kerosene... (and unfortunately, in some cases, I have to agree, because the wines are simply too young to drink)... I tried to save face by telling her that perhaps she had not tried the better California Cabs, particularly not the aged ones. I also pointed out that there were excellent Chardonays, Sauvignon Blanc, (from California and Washington) and Semillon blanc (from Washington).
"Yes she said, but we are eating meat" --as she drank more of the excellent Argentinean red wine.
So... I do not know if my evidence is convincing... but I will certainly continue testing the wines here in my effort to get a headache *g* [if not, I shall prove that it is the sulfites, that cause them, as opposed to my inability to deal with Tannin as I was able to do in younger years].
The power of the mind can be very convincing
Marsalis, another of my favorites, great Trumpet player Jazz/classical.
What would the world be without music and wine and travel to exotic places!
The result would be... The Republican party with no moderates, all radicals, i.e. Tom Delay, Jessee Helms, Pat Robertson, Jerry Fallwell et all.
HA HA HA HA HA HA... |
