Irurtia wine
Here's something different. Get a bottle of Irurtia wine and take it to a party.
Pour a glass for someone who knows something about wine. Let them catch a quick glimpse of the bottle, but not sufficient for them to read the fine print. Then ask them where it comes from.
Sniff. Spain? Nope. Sip. Chile? Wrong again.
Gurgle. Argentina? Getting warm. The answer is Uruguay.
Wine merchant Omtis (fax: 2363 6014) is bringing in a selection of vintages from the largest winery in Uruguay, a vineyard founded by the Basque family, Irurtia, in 1913 on the banks of the River Plate.
This is pretty good stuff, now available from supermarkets like Asia Provisions and on sale at hotels such as the Sheraton.
The 340-hectare vineyard grows an impressive variety of grapes, and Omtis brings in chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, viognier and cabernet franc.
I like the latter, and I like the $78 price tag. The grape comes from Bordeaux and although it is used a lot in blends with other grapes, you seldom find the grape by itself in a bottle.
Pity about that, because it has a lively, happy taste that goes well with many foods. I took it to dim sum the other day and it was most appreciated.
Irurtia prides itself on being natural. There is no fertiliser used in the rich valley of the River Plate, and rainfall is adequate, so no irrigation.
They don't use oak to ferment the wine, so it comes out of the bottle with a lovely refreshing taste.
