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Argentina
Ever tried a sparkling Malbec? A Patagonian Pinot Noir? Argentine winemakers have long been in a position to experiment, most often with very tasty results. Many grapes flourish here, but none have been as commercially successful as Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the great undiscovered gems is Torrontés, a fresh, aromatic white variety that is best enjoyed young. The red Bonarda grape is...
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Merlot
The next time you hear someone say they never touch Merlot, tell them that it's too bad, because you were just about to open a few bottles of Château Pétrus and Le Pin, and you have no one to share them with. Some wine drinkers are quick to dismiss varieties that become too fashionable, but Merlot is popular for good reason. It has one of the most impressive and distinctive textures of any wine,...
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Bonarda
In Italy, there are three grape varieties that go by the name Bonarda: one is actually the Croatina grape, one is actually Uva Rara, and one is Bonarda Piemontese. The last produces aromatic, quite drinkable red wines, but it is not widely grown because of its low yields.
Bonarda is also the name of Argentina's second most widely planted red wine grape - but here, too, it could be a misnomer:...
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Malbec
Known as Côt throughout much of France, Malbec is the dark-skinned variety that put Argentinian wine on the map - and likewise, Argentinian Malbec saved the grape from near obscurity. The Cahors appellation in France still relies on Malbec to distinguish many of its wines, but the area is exceptional in this regard. As the grape can be quite difficult to cultivate, it has become far less popular...
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