Page 6 - element E-news Magazine May 2019

May Wine Dinner: Wines of Argentina
Welcome Toast ALMA NEGRA Brut Rosé
Torrontes,
CRIOS de SUSANA BALBO Torrontes Roasted Vegetable Empanada, grilled pineapple chutney
Malbec
Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2013 Charred Pork Tenderloin, cilantro-lime nut sauce, queso fresco
Cabernet Sauvignon
Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Catena Alta’ 2015 Swordfish Wellington,
pork belly demi, roasted cipollini onions
Bodega Norton Harvest Malbec
Grilled Lamb Lollipops,
gratin potatoes, crisp asparagus, chimichurri
WHERE: Platinum Dining Room, Element Modern Mediterranean Grill
WHEN: Monday, May 20, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
TICKETS: $75 per guest. Please email Mani Gonzalez for reservations, ManiG@elementsrq.com.
Mani Gonzalez
General Manager/Sommelier
Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world. Argentine wine, as with some aspects of Argentine cuisine, has its roots in Spain. During the Spanish colonization of the Americas, vine cut- tings were brought to Santiago del Estero in 1557, and the cultivation of the grape and wine produc- tion stretched first to neighboring regions, and then to other parts of the country.
Historically, Argentine winemakers were traditionally more interested in quantity than quality with the country consuming 90% of the wine it produces. Until the early 1990s, Argentina produced more wine than any other country outside Europe, though the majority of it was not considered exportable. However, the desire to increase exports fueled significant advances in quality. Argentine wines started being exported during the 1990s, and are currently growing in popularity, making it now the largest wine exporter in South America.