Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts

Monday, June 6, 2011

MEXICAN WINE AT LOTERIA - L.A. CETTO CHENIN BLANC


L.A. Cetto Chenin Blanc

Southern California wine adventurers who would like to take a Mexican wine for a spin can do so at the Loteria Grill Studio City location.  Loteria Grill is known for their incredible Mexican food, so it seems a natural for them to offer wines made in Mexico to pair with their cuisine.

L.A. Cetto, I'm told, is a mass producer of wine south of the border - along the lines of Gallo in the U.S.  While their wines aren't thought to be reflective of the burgeoning quality wine industry in Mexico, they are popular and relatively easy to find.

The Chenin Blanc from L.A. Cetto is made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes grown in the Valle de Guadalupe region of Baja California.  The wine has an alcohol level of 12% and sells for around $10 a bottle.  It was $9 by the glass at Loteria.

Almost clear in the glass, the wine has a fresh nose with minerals and pears leading the way.  It tastes very fresh and light with a mild acidity that makes a better show on the finish.  Tropical notes come on the mid-palate, which helps it pair so well with the plantains.  It would seem to be made for that match.  It's a lesser success with the cheese enchilada in a pumpkin seed sauce, but that sauce is not to be missed.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

HISPANICS ARE CHANGING THE WINE INDUSTRY'S FACE


Wine News

The face of the wine industry is changing, according to an article in Wine Enthusiast magazine.  The article features comments from Vanessa Robledo, president of Black Coyote Chateau in Napa Valley, a winery which was cofounded by an African-American, Dr. Ernest Bates.

Robledo says Mexican-Americans have always been interested in wine, and as that demographic segment matures and prospers, they are seeking out some of the finer things in life, including wine.

She talks about going to Mexico several years ago and finding that Mexicans were interested not only in wines produced in Mexico, but from all over the world.  She feels that Hispanic wine drinkers have had barriers put up for them, notably by restaurants specializing in Mexican food which served only beer and tequila.

One Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, Loteria Grill, offers Mexican wines now and in Mexico Chef Lugo is helping to put Mexican wine on the same level as beer and tequila in his Mexico City restaurant.