| Pages:
1
2 |
Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Baja Wines
Monday, September 13, 2010
Mexican Vintners and 'World Class' Wines are Gaining Fame
'Vino-Tourism' by Steve Dryden
· Baja California grapes to Napa
Mexico was the first country in all the Americas to introduce high quality grapes onto this continent. It was the Spaniards who, in 1521, first
planted vines in Mexico.
Vitis vinifera (common grape vine) is a species of Vitis “native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and
Spain north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran.”
Despite an early introduction to grape growing and wine making in Mexico, it’s only been over the last 20 years that the quality of most Mexicans
wines has truly evolved. Moreover, in the last ten years the number of wineries in and around the grape growing regions of Ensenada, Baja California
has grown from six wineries to over 45 today, with many more being developed or in the planning stages.
And, for at least five years a handful of Baja California wineries have been producing, and continue to make, world class wines.
L.A Cetto winery has been awarded over two hundred international awards over the last few years, thus placing Mexican wines before many experienced
judges and wine connoisseurs. In addition, Camillo Magoni (Cetto’s winemaker) was named the “Top Winemaker in the World” for 2004 by an independent
European publisher.
Recently other Baja California wines have also received numerous awards and positioning among the world’s better wines. Some of the top labels in this
region are Vinisterra, Pau Pijoan, Baron Balch’e, Tres Valles, Vinart, Adobe Guadalupe, Viñedos LaFargo, Vinicola Torres Alegre, and Vinas La Garza,
to name but a few.
Vitivinicola Emeve 2008 Malbec was the big winner (Grand Gold Medal) at Ensenada'a 2010 International Wine Competition, held on August 7 and 8, in
competition with wines from about a dozen countries. And this wine is still available at the winery, located near Adobe Guadalupe Vineyard/B&B,
open Sat/Sun from noon to 6 p.m.
Despite a serious lack of water in Valle de Guadalupe, the quality of the fruit is superior to grapes grown around southern California. In fact, many
wineries in San Diego have been purchasing Mexican grapes, transforming them into premium wine, and winning international awards. Witch Creek Winery
in Carlsbad, California has won several medals using Baja California grown grapes in their wines.
As well, this year I’ve spoken with two top California winemakers who have bought selected rows of local grapes to take back home to Napa in hopes of
making quality wine.
The Baja California wine industry should see another boom in the next year or two with the implementation of a recycled water program that will
provide the Guadalupe Valley with eight times more water than is available today. We just might see one hundred wineries in the next ten years.
In the meantime, many wineries are open for wine tasting on weekends with or without reservations. A few wineries are open during the week, including:
L.A. Cetto, with free tasting; Tres Mujeres — reservations and $5 person; Liceaga at $7 person — picnic area; Casa Vieja at $3 person — with a new
food venue; Viños Fuentes — free tastings; and Viñas de Garza — reservations.
Three newer wineries await your exploration: Hacienda la Lomita, Viñedos las Nubes, and the new facility of JC Bravo Family Winery.
Late September and October is “prime time” in the wine country, with pleasant temperatures and less-crowded wine tasting room conditions. Lodging is
available at several price points: Hotel Plaza Fatima on Highway 3 in San Antonio de las Minas, at Km 92. [52] (646) 192-4531 or
www.hotelplazafatima@aol.com; Hacienda Guadalupe, Highway 3 in the center of the valley, at Km 81.5, [52] (646) 151-3273 Mexico or (714) 313-5138 in
the US, plus www.haciendaguadalupehotel.com; or in Ensenada: Costa Baja Condo Hotel, which overlooks the harbor and has great rates, restaurant, bar and pool.
Downtown. [52] (646) 177-2255.
——————————
For a Baja California Wine Route map, click on MexiData.info "Links," and go to "Mexico Maps and Time Zones"
Steve Dryden is a wine, food and travel writer living in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s premier wine country in northwestern Baja California, where he
guides individual and small group wine tours. He can be reached at sbdryden@hotmail.com. Visit his blog at www.winefoodguide.com or www.bajawineandcuisine.com
|
|
|
JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
i couldnt disagree more.
|
|
|
Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
|
|
Until I find a Baja wine that compares in quality, and is even 'close' in price, I will stick with my latest love:
Having a new California wine love does NOT mean that I won't be stopping at all the great wineries in Baja. La neblina at LA Cetto is pretty darn
good, too.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
|
|
|
astrobaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 5-22-2006
Location: near San Pedro Martir Park
Member Is Offline
Mood: beam me up
|
|
Jesse what do you disagree with? My take is that many of the finer wines are priced out of reach. But the JC Bravo Carinon (sp?) is a fabulous wine
but still around $18 US
\"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear
and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.There is another theory which states that this has already happened\"
Douglas Adams
our website: http://bajadarkskies.com |
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Pomp!
I will Highly recommend Sta Thomas Chardoney. In my many travels down the road i watched them Build the Winery, then I tried this new one.
Here in Texas I can;t find it so have a friend bring it from San Diego.
As I was for 3 Summers a State of California Wing Grape Inspector, I became awuianted with Grapes and Wine. Worked at Gallo Winery, Sutter Home and
several others.
Pomp; You know what I discovered??
It is all in the Taste Buds of the Drinker!!!!
By the way if you like Muscats you should order some Chocolate covered ones from Sunkist Rasins out of Selma Calif.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
I became awuianted |
Help me out, Skeet. What does that word mean?
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Aquainted
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Dennis: What you need to understand is that when a fella gets to the age of 80 years and has used his hands to actively love all the pretty women, he
develops Arthirtic conditions.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks, Skeet.
|
|
|
Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by astrobaja
Jesse what do you disagree with? My take is that many of the finer wines are priced out of reach. But the JC Bravo Carinon (sp?) is a fabulous wine
but still around $18 US |
My experience has been most all California wines purchased at $18 will compare in quality with Baja wines selling at $30. The price disconnect follows
up and down the curve. Generally speaking, Baja wines aren't worth the price.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
My experience has been most all California wines purchased at $18 will compare in quality with Baja wines selling at $30. The price disconnect follows
up and down the curve. Generally speaking, Baja wines aren't worth the price. |
That is the general, unbiased opinion I see over and over.
Personally, if a bottle of wine will alter reality and turn my world into Tortilla Flat, it's a good product. 
|
|
|
JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
| Quote: | Originally posted by astrobaja
Jesse what do you disagree with? My take is that many of the finer wines are priced out of reach. But the JC Bravo Carinon (sp?) is a fabulous wine
but still around $18 US |
My experience has been most all California wines purchased at $18 will compare in quality with Baja wines selling at $30. The price disconnect follows
up and down the curve. Generally speaking, Baja wines aren't worth the price. |
I agree with that, put a side sentimental reasons, and for the same price, you can buy a much better wine from Chile, Spain, Argentina, or even Cali.
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Jesse; I too disagree with you. I think some $7 Gallos are excellent!
Short Story. I have a Friend who started Churches Fried Chicken Places, made several Million Dollars and in his later years has developed one of
largest Wine Cellars in the Dallas Texas Area.
He invited me to escort he and a Friend on a fair size Boat out of La Paz.
We were touring around the Sea and one day he brought out a Bottle of Wine for Lunch; It costs $1200 for One Bottle.
Did not taste as good as that Sta Thomas Chardoney.
I will however agree that their are some real goo Girgio;s out there for about $20.
To each his own
|
|
|
Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
|
|
Bully Hill Vineyards in New York
Years ago, Walter Taylor sold his vineyard to Coca Cola, if I recall correctly, and subsequently discovered that he could not start another vineyard
under his name, because CC had bought that as well.
So he and his son started Bully Hill Vineyards, with the motto, "They May Have Bought My Name, But They Can't Get My Goat."
It's pretty good wine and the rants on the labels are very entertaining. In California, a case costs $40 including shipping and handling.
http://www.bullyhill.com/wines/
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
I just wish they sold something other than Padre Kino in our town.
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
some of the best drinking wine I ever had was when I was in Rome. In every Place including Alfreado;s they brouth you Fresh Wine to Drink with your
Meals. I ask Why we could not get the same Taste in America of the Wine and it was explained that in the Transportation of the Wine abopard Ship it
changed Taste.
I found that was true when I would bring Wine from the States along that Rough Road to Loreto. It changes Taste!!
skeet
|
|
|
Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
Good for you
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
I am just one of those Nuts who try not to Purchase goods from Countries that do not treat their People Well. France included.
|
Then I guess you've never bought anything made in China?
And while we're on the subject:
What's your opinion on how Mexico's government treats its people?
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
And while we're on the subject:
What's your opinion on how Mexico's government treats its people? |
Treats them to what? I haven't heard about this largesse.
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Dave: I will answer your Question if you Post it under a New Topic. This topic is about Wine.
thanks Skeet
|
|
|
Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
Exactly what I was thinking
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
This topic is about Wine.
|
Until someone hijacked the thread:
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
I am just one of those Nuts who try not to Purchase goods from Countries that do not treat their People Well.
|
Hmmm...I wonder who? 
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
