It appears in the next few years there may not be enough wine grapes to fill an ever-increasing demand.
During the 1990s, there was a glut of wine and wine grapes in California. As would be expected, grape prices dropped and many growers switched to other, more profitable crops to survive. During the ensuing years, fewer and fewer grapes were grown and even fewer new vines were planted, culminating today when the demand has outdistanced the supply.
The University of California at Davis and the office of the California Agricultural Commissioner, estimated in 2011, wine grape growers in the San Joaquin Valley had a cash loss on wine grapes of $170 per acre, as compared to a profit of $2,962 per acre for walnuts and $1,483 for almonds. This was the driving force for the smaller grape growers to stop growing grapes and move on to more profitable produce, creating a deficit foreign wines will be called on to fill.
Among the popular foreign wines are those of Alamos of Argentina, which, for more than 100 years has been making exceptional wines. Not only do they produce the more familiar varieties like cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, they also produce wines made from local grapes such as malbec and torrentes, both of which are gaining popularity in the U.S.
Alamos 2011 Seleccion Malbec ($20)Malbec is a grape not too heavily grown in the U.S., and there are two good reasons why. One would be the reduction in vine plantings, and the second and most probable, is that the best version of this style comes from Argentina - and at very reasonable prices, too.
The Alamos 2011 Seleccion Malbec is alive with the aromas and flavors of plum and spice, with coffee and vanilla dancing in the background.
This wine can be enjoyed with any red meats, as well as many Mexican or Italian dishes.
The Alamos 2011 Malbec Seleccion is an interesting sidestep from traditional red wines and is a wine you should become acquainted with as a relief from the rising prices of our domestic varieties.
Alamos 2012 Torrontes ($13)Torrontes grapes are a white grape variety that, like the malbec, thrive in Argentina.
The Alamos 2012 Torrontes is an excellent dry white wine that begs to be enjoyed with all forms of seafood and is a standout with lobster or shell fish.
It is a soft fruity wine stressing violets, jasmine and spice in the aroma, while peach, citrus and tropical fruits dominate the flavor and trails off to a bright crisp finish.
Alamos 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($13)The Alamos 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is a different version of an all-too-familiar melody.
This wine offers all of the expected flavors and aromas of a cab but with an interesting Argentinean flair. Yes, the style is somewhat different than its California cousin, but it is that difference that makes for some very fascinating drinking.
This deep ruby-colored, medium-bodied wine presents the clean and open aromas of spice, black currants, vanilla and oak. The flavor accents the ancestral flavor of a cab, with the currants and sweet oak.
There are no harsh tannins in this wine, so it is ready to be enjoyed right away without further aging. Another quality point is the finish, which is moderately long and very fruity. This wine is a an excellent example of what a cabernet sauvignon can be like regardless of its place of origin.
Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and manages ArticlesOnWine.com. He can be reached at frojhe1@att.net.
