Remember that fabulous Robert Palmer song "Simply Irresistible," if you don't, I have video of the original music video below. It is a very hot song.
So this is it. Every once in a while I taste a wine that just knocks me out. You see there is an unfortunate consequence of this job of wine writer, sometimes wines can just get boring.
But then, one comes along brings this song to mind... "she's a natural law, and she leaves me in awe She deserves the applause, I surrender because, She used to look good to me, but now I find her simply irresistible." That's Graffigna Pinot Grigio from Mendoza Argentina.
This wine is fabulous, so read up on the taste and the story this wine tells.
It went very well with this scrumptious butternut squash risotto that Diana whipped up, with toasted shallots and fresh sage along with a nice dose of Pecorino Romano. I made a quick chimichurri sauce from fresh herbs from our back yard to give the dish an Argentinean flavor. Behind the scenes there is a tasty arugula and cucumber salad.
The story of this wine goes like this. In 1865 Italian Don Juan Graffigna was faced with a difficult decision, whether to leave his beloved Italy where the the great wine blight phyloxera had all but destroyed the grape vines there. Thousands of Europeans were heading west to escape the poverty and political strife throughout Europe. With little more than the clothes on his back Don Juan embarked upon the long ocean trip to South America. He brought with him a dream and a bag of vine sprigs that he nursed over the long voyage.
Eventually he and his nephew Santiago found the fertile terrior of San Juan, Mendoza Argentina and founded Bodega Graffigna which stands today as Mendoza's oldest vineyard. The timing was right as Buenos Aires was teaming with Italians who thirsted for good wine like they enjoyed in their home country.
If you visit the bodega you will find that they have preserved their old equipment, oak casks and have even created a museum that displays the winery’s great heritage.
As the vineyard grew more and more successful Don Juan and Santiago did not rest on their laurels. They reinvested their new found wealth into better facilities and developing better wine making practices, always striving to make better and better wines.
This tradition has been presevered over the decades and "Bodega Graffigna is constantly searching for new ways to improve and advance in their winemaking, grape growing and overall appearance. With their attention to detail and willingness to find the best micro climates, soils and vineyard techniques they plan to continue searching for the perfect balance." Wine Republic
This is certainly very evident in this wine which I know you will enjoy. You can find it here and at many other wine stores in the area.
Read More Wines of Argentina
Colon 1342 norte - San juan , San Juan , 5400 , Argentina
Now enjoy some rock and roll.
