If James Bond drank Malbec instead of Martinis, he would be in this book. At first, I'll admit, I was skeptical--would I be interested in reading a whole book about the history of Argentine wine? But reading this book is like having your BFF climb into bed with you and tell you all the latest chisme. Only your BFF happens to run with the inner circles of Argentina's wine world.
Author Ian Mount (an American expat living in Buenos Aires and raising his family there) pens the history of Argentina's wine from the time of renegade gauchos riding the pampas to today's Malbecs scoring mad points with Robert Parker. Between the pages of this volume are all the drama, intrigue, politics and passion possible--and like a multi-course wine-pairing dinner, readers are treated to the best anecdotes along the way. One tidbit: Mount describes how Jose Galante, a winemaker at Catena during the nineties got his nickname "White Shoes"--he was so concerned about his impeccably clean footwear he wouldn't leave the lab and risk dirtying them. Throughout the book the reader is treated to story after story like this, interwoven with the history of Argentine wines rising to the top. These amusing accounts made me turn page upon page.
This book is not only a great read, but with the holidays on the way, it would be a great gift for your favorite wine aficionado, along with a bottle of Malbec of course! Today I'm giving away a copy of the book! Here's how to enter: Go to the BRAND NEW From Argentina With Love facebook page, and Like us if you haven't already. Then leave a comment below the 'Vineyard at the End of the World' post. A winner will be chosen at random on Nov. 20, 2012 at 12:00 Mountain time. Good luck!
This sounds like a great read! I am a former South Floridian who discovered the awesomeness of Argentinian food and pastery. I try to re-create what I can here in the midwest with limited availability to the key ingredients, but when i get the recipe's right.... oh man, all enjoy the tasty treats! I love the recipe's on your blog!
Posted by: Beth | November 14, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Even if I don't win this book, I will definitely pick up a copy. I have yet to explore Argentina physically, but I can't wait to go. My husband's patents were Argentine nationals - and it's through his stories of his childhood (he was born in New Jersey, but has traveled there often), my introduction to foods and the wine - oh the wine!
Thank you for offering this book - I can only imagine the vineyards growing the fruit nestled against the backdrop of the Andeś. One day, I will walk through them in person.
Posted by: Susan Lawrenz | November 14, 2012 at 06:57 AM