Porteno Red Wine - From Home Liquors Verona, NJ

I picked this wine up at Home Liquors in Verona and thought it was a Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.  upon closer inspection I found that the wine's label gave no indication of its nature other than the proclamation of "Porteno 2005 Red wine Mendoza, Argentina." I became very curious.

According to Wikopedia Porteño is the Spanish demonym for those born in the Argentine city of Buenos Aires. Its feminine form is Porteña.

It is also a cocktail that The Professor a San Francisco Bartender whips up on Demand Portena Cocktail.

There's a restaurant Bar Argentina Portena on 4-2-13 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.

"A porteño usually has as a natural part of his language the Lunfardo slang. First created by Italian, Spanish, and Irish immigrants who were also very related with the Tango culture, the Lunfardo and its incorporation into the language amongst the citizens of Buenos Aires is still as alive as it was in its beginnings, with the cultural differences and advancements time has given to its own particular ever-growing dictionary of made-up words." Wiktionary

So about this wine. It is imported by H. Squared Wines, New York, NY. Another dead end. No  information to be found.

Then finally on the massive Astor Wines & Spirits web site a listing is discovered, Porteño, Mendoza - 2005

Described as "With its ruby red color and aromas of black cherries and plums, this Argentine red is simply one of the best wines to come out of Mendoza in years. The tannins are silky-smooth and work perfectly with grilled meat dishes or hard, aged cheeses."

It is a truly delicious wine and a utter steal at around $5.00. But no one is giving up what's in the bottle.

Home Liquors

360 Bloomfield Avenue
Verona, NJ 07044

973-239-9813

Comments

[Ray]

Bought at Astor. Excellent buy. I will be buying a case.
Full bodied with a spicy flavor that stands up well to full flavored meat and chicken

[Jay]

I Just opened a bottled and is a preatty good wine with full strong flavors in spice and fruits. I recomend this with food since its strong flavors adds to the food. My favorite been the cabernet sauvignon this porteno falls close to this into the semi-dry category. I still find Bordaux and cabernet to be drink alone more deleitable

[Kurt]

It's very drinkable. And Astor has it on sale right now for $3.99, if you can believe that. My theory is that it's surplus wine from another winery, but I just made that up.

[manoavino]

That is my theory as well.