They are called Passito. They are sweet wines from Italy and appreciated in Europe. A family business East kicked off and makes in Mendoza.
Intense, complex wines made from raisins. That is how Jancis Robinson, in The Oxford Companion to Wine – specialized Dried Grapes Wines including the account dictionary Passito wine. Its name comes precisely from the raisins. Originating in ancient Greece, a sweet wine is very popular in Italy. Of intense scents and colors, it is usually sold in pint bottles, and its value in Europe can be up to 50 euros. A group of local investors is about to bring to market one of the first Passito of Argentina. The agronomist Alfredo Drake, one of its creators, explains that last year reached his relatives in Italy (more precisely Sicily) with the idea of starting to make wine with raisins. Winemaker Mario Ragussa proposed experience, and thus a family business emerged Drake explains – we put grape the East and they gave us the form and technique. Thus 1,200 bottles were produced in a cellar Farms of Coria. The success of the venture was immediate. Just so we split and we have orders for England. Who sells these wines in Europe for producers is Marguery winery Wines of the East, which has opened several markets externos.Ellos produced mainly Malbec and Cabernet care. We develop Passito, a younger wine, and a Premium line barrel due out next year. How These wines are produced have a base of fresh grapes, which usually is at home winemaker. History, as the brand of wine made in Mendoza, was produced from grapes Torrontes and Sauvignon Blanc, which is added during fermentation, raisins of the same varieties. The wine has a high cost in warehouse management, because fermentation is necessary to follow closely. Every day you make wine full analysis, Drake said. Once fermented, a portion is broken into fresh for quick consumption and decision winemaker, another part is left to amalgamate with oak wood. In Argentina we are the first. Maybe after that they go to test various processing, because the market for sweet late harvest white only. It is said that there are at least three more willing to bring this to market wine cellars. It remains to be seen.
Features Unlike the later, the Passito releases aromas of candied fruit and unlike Mistela, no oxidized flavors. It’s like opening a can of peaches in natural, syrupy and how we do with varieties having a high aromatic potential, releases aromas of flowers also explains Drake.
Generally presents golds awarded by the raisins. It is an aromatic wine has roundness and high Alcohol content: 14.5 degrees. It goes well after meals, desserts to accompany either sweet foods, cheeses, and can be cold in summer, and 14 degrees in winter. The world’s best Passito is made on the volcanic island of Pantelleria (Sicily). According Draque Mendoza, and especially the East, is quite similar to this condition, especially in hot and sandy soils. This wine, produced exclusively for export, has an export value of U $ S 10 FOB and Italian gondolas sold from 17 to 80 euros a bottle of 375 cm3. It is an expensive wine because it requires a lot of labor, and in Europe labor is scarce. Our idea is to reach a price of 18 euros, Drake explained.
