Los Cardos sauvignon blanc 2004 from Argentina

Los cardos means the thistle – a flower known in Argentina for its intense and vivid colour, a fitting name for this week’s wine. There are aromas of grapefruit and limes and a taste which also includes green apples and passion fruit plus a slightly mineral character.

The alcohol content is only 12% but it is sufficient to balance the fruit and crisp acidity present. This is a well-balanced wine with light body and a lingering finish. Drink it with light fish dishes, salads and most Thai foods.

The provenance of the wine is Tupangato. It’s in the province of Mendoza at the foothills of the Andes, quite near the Chilean border. Although the latitude here is 33ºS the vines grow in a cool area at 1,000 metres above sea level. The vine arrived in Argentina in the 1550s from Spain, Peru and Chile by different routes, in Peru’s case in the form of grape seeds.

The original variety of vine, the Criolla is not exported but Argentina has a reputation for its malbec wines. This wine is 100% sauvignon blanc which seems suited by the Mendoza terroir, the area itself is the most important in the country-73% of their vines grow here. Argentinean sauvignon is gaining a reputation and this is a particularly good example. It’s sold in Oddbins for £5.99 but up to 26th March you can purchase 2 for £10. This is part of the store’s South America promotion month where selected wines are 15% off.

07/03/06