Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/7240
36 / the tasting panel / march 2010 T hirty-four year old Maria Jimena Lopez was born in Mendoza, where her education at a technical high school offered her insight into viticulture and the concept of winemaking. "At the same time I started university, I began working at [LVMH-owned Argentinean sparkling producer] Bodegas Chandon as a lab technician," she says. "By that time, I was 18 years old, and I realized then that winemaking was going to be my passion." An opportunity arose that led Jimena Lopez to work for one of the biggest wineries not just in Argentina, but in all of South America: Bodegas Trapiche. At that same time, she got her degrees in horticulture and enology. "During the years 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2003, I had the chance to work during harvest in the USA, Mexico and Australia," she relates. Back in her What has caused this extraor- dinary surge in Argentinean wine popularity? Certainly good value plays an important role, but it's much more than just that. Value coupled with remarkable quality is the real story. Also the dollar buys more in Argentina. The euro's precipitous rise has caused many American tourists to abandon Europe and fly south to where the dollar still has clout. Visiting beauti- ful Argentina entails discovering its delectable meat-heavy cuisine, ac- companied by its charming wines. Malbec, an also-ran Bordeaux variety, shines in Mendoza's vine- yards, where it produces friendly, lush red wines that are ideal with the modern, full-flavored cook- ing that Americans prefer. It's all about being in the right place at the right time. Clearly Malbec has hit a nerve with U.S. wine drinkers (in the same way that Pinot Grigio did a decade ago). Once bitten by the Malbec bug, consumers discovered that other Argentine wines—Cab- ernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardon- nay, Torrontés even Bonarda—are equally as enjoyable. The wines of Argentina are red hot in the U.S. market and show no sign of cooling down in the foreseeable future. Here's a look at several producers who are part of this exciting trend. —Anthony Dias Blue cover Story SPOTLIGHT ON: Maria Jimena lopez, Mendoza vineyards At Mendoza Vine- yards, winemaker Maria Jimena Lopez samples and writes notes on other wines from Argentina.