Bubbles From Argentina?

…yea. I was surprised too… I mean, I’ve had my share of Malbec, but hadn’t come across a Sparkling Wine from Argentina. Until now…

The 2008 Tapiz Extra Brut Sparkling Wine from Mendoza is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and I opened it with an impromptu Tamale lunch last weekend (tamales? at my house? I know, it’s a shocker).

This is a tasty glass o’ bubbles: bright, fresh, and fruity. The nose has a gentle, floral nose of sweet apples and a spritz of lemon. On the palate, pears, apples and that citrus zest are wrapped in a steady trickle of little bubbles. The folks at Tapiz produce it in the traditional method and age it for fourteen months on the lees. I’m told this is the first vintage of sparkling wine for Bodega Tapiz and in my humble opinion, they did quite well and for the nice price of $19.99.