The most widely known South American grape varietal must be Malbec. Malbec hails from France, but when you think of a Malbec, a bold Argentinian wine from Mendoza probably comes to mind.
Other grape varietals that have undertaken a uniquely South American identity, according to Wine Folly, are Carmenere, Pais, Bonarda, and Torrentes.
Criolla Grande
Criolla means Creole in Spanish. According to Evan Goldstein, writing in Wines of South America, Criolla refers to the grape varietals brought by the Spanish conquistadores and Spanish settlers in the 16th century.
These include Criolla Grande and Criolla Chica, which is also known as the Pais or Mission grape.
Criolla also refers to the white wine grape known as Torrontes.
La Jirafa Y El Enano Uco Valley Criolla Grande 2022
Organically farmed; indigenous yeast, no additives; $20
Visual: Pinky blush, like cranberry stained glass. Light bodied.
Nose: STart cherry, smokey whiffs of a summer bbq grill, watermelon, scratch and sniff stickers
Taste: Punchy acid, plum juice, warm, more vegetal than fruity, green and red bell pepper, dark leafy greens - kale. Finish is actually quite strong considering its lightbodiedness,
Pairing: Excellent with the salad and punchy radishes that tame the acid. Singing with vegetable empanada, chockfull of potatoes, and the chimichurri.
Bonarda
Bonarda is the Italian name for the Corbeau grape. A thin skinned grape, it grows well in very warm climates, unlike Malbec. Since it produces such high yields and is popular with growers, it is generally considered an everyday drinking wine in Argentina.
Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda Classica 2020
100% Bonarda; Certified Organic; Fermented in steel tanks; aged in concrete tanks; $11
Visual: rich in color, inky, dark purple
Nose: Dried herbs, blackberry,
Taste: Plummy, juicy, not super tannic.
Pairing: More plummy with the empanada. Handled the zesty lentil salad just fine, which was a bit of a surprise for a dark red wine. Equally handled the fresh herb, chile and zest of the chimichurri sauce.
The wine and empanada together made the meal much more interesting than each were on their own.
South American "Native" Grapes
Learn more about South American Native Grapes from the World Wine Travel writers:
Blue Cheese Sauce to put on that Steak you are Grilling Up to Pair with a Malbec Wine from Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm
3 Wines That Sing Argentina Paired with Pork Tacos from Gwendolyn at Wine Predator
A Taste of Argentina: Chupín de Mariscos + a 2022 Torrontés from the Salta Region from Camilla at Culinary Cam
Argentinian Malbec: An immigrant who gets the job done from Linda at My Full Wine Glass
Criolla, Bonarda, and the San Francisco Empanada from Deanna at Wineivore
Linda Whipple says
I've got to try empanadas! Can't believe I haven't done so by now. Great comparison between two very different wines - and love, love, love your tasting notes. "Scratch and sniff stickers" for the win!
Camilla M Mann says
We have had empanadas from that shop in the Ferry Building so many times! So delicious.
Wendy Klik says
Sounds like a wonderful surprise when you tasted that wine.
gwendolyn alley says
Great prices on these interesting and organic wine finds! Your photos are gorgeous as well as enticing!
robincgc says
Your description of the La Jirafa Y El Enano is so wonderful and intriguing! Plus, that bottle is so inexpensive! It sounds like a perfect pairing for those empanadas! I'm inspired to pick up some empanadas next week from my farmer's market and pull out a South American wine to pair!