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Easy Going Reds
For Summer BBQs

Dow, Séptima and Golden Haan
From Portugal, Argentina and South Africa

by Simone Zarmati Diament

From Portugal, South Africa and Argentina, some well-priced reds to accompany a summer BBQ.

A NEW STYLE OF WINE FROM THE UPPER DOURO VALLEY: 2006 Dow Vale do Bomfim, DOC, Douro Valley, Portugal ($12). When I visited Ruppert Symington in the Douro Valley to taste the Ports, he was extolling the virtues of Portuguese grapes traditionally used to make Port to make great wines. This red is a blend of touriga franca, tinta roriz, tinta barroca and touriga nacional.
A new style of wine from the Upper Douro Valley, this wine is powerful yet elegant, full of wild berry flavors, hints of spice, soft tannins, bright fruit and good acidity. It stands up to any smoked chouriço, sausage or steak on the grill. PHOTOS Listen to an interview with Ruppert Symington on FOOD & WINE TALK

MALBEC AND CABS FROM MENDOZA ARGENTINA: As its name indicates Séptima (meaning seventh in Spanish) is the seventh winery owned by the group of Cordoniu in Spain. The first six are in Spain where Cordoniu has been operating since 1551, the eighth is in Napa Valley.
The state-of-the-art Séptima winery in the shape of an Inca pyramid is in Agrelo, a town about 30 km from Mendoza. The vineyards are in Valle de Uco, further south, at approximate 3400 feet above sea level. There, the Catalan-based mega producer mainly cultivates malbec, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, semillion, some tannat and other grape varieties.
“The climate is constant in Mendoza, year in year out, it is dry and sunny and cold at night, all-year round. Our vineyards are grown almost sustainably since it never rains in the couple of months before harvest. Besides we have covered all our vineyards to protect them from bugs, wind and hail,” declared Jordi Tomàs i Magaña, Bodega Septima’s director and CEO.
Winemaker Ruben Calvo who studied oenology at Mendoza University, complies with the policy of making good value for the dollar wines. Drinkability is his goal as well as pleasing his customers’ palate. At a luncheon in Miami, we sampled several of the wines all priced between $9.99 and $11.99, except for the Reserva which is priced at $25:

2008 Bodega Septima Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina ($12) It is a blend of different vineyards and terroirs spread in the Lujàn de Cuyo area –the heart of Argentine winemaking - two thirds of them belonging to Bodegas Séptima, 3,400 feet above sea level. A typical robust malbec. “Our main goal is to please consumers with a consistently great wine year after years,” said winemaker Ruben Calvo of this 100% malbec varietal. Intensely purplish red it offers hints of vanilla, caramel, chocolate, red fruit and well-rounded, smooth tannins that pair well with grilled meats and pastas.

2006 Septima Cabernet Sauvignon, Uco Valley, Mendoza Argentina ($12) Intense ruby red with mahogany hues this 100% varietal from grapes manually harvested from the upper Mendoza River and Uco Valley is complex and spicy with notes of black cherries, black currants, plums, figs and fruit jam as well as vanilla and woodsy roasted aromas. A full-bodied wine it exhibits ripe tannins, low acidity, and a layered mouthfeel with some minerality. Muscles up to any parrilla or BBQ.

2006 Septima Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon, Uco Valley, Mendoza Argentina ($12) A blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, it a well-balanced, well-structured, easy to drink wine with a pleasant smoked oak wood finish which pairs well with cheeses and just about any other food.

PINOTAGE AND SHIRAZ FROM SOUTH AFRICA: 2007 Golden Kaan Shiraz, Western Cape, South Africa ($10) You can’t beat the price, the bouquet of berries, peppers and spices of this deep garnet-colored Shiraz. The hints of pepper, lush flavors and ripe tannins of this wine well complement grilled steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs and vegetables.

2006 Golden Kaan Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa ($10). Medium-bodied and ruby red, this wine has sweet plums and raspberries on the nose. Its soft tannins and delicate fruit forward are well balanced with the acidity characteristic of this South African grape. Pairs well with most every grilled food, even when it is spicy.

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