Arts
Soil, Location and Vine. Over the millenia farmers have understood that chance is best left at the door when choosing 'what to grow' and 'where to grow'. Experience is a better bed fellow. Sometimes, though, a grower will make a decision based on a soil analysis along with a great deal of knowledge and experience but because no-one had ever attempted to venture into this territory before then chance is their inevitable traveling companion. In 1992 Nicolas Catena planted a vineyard 5,000 feet above sea level in the Uco Valley of Mendoza in Argentina. Noone had attempted this before. It would be ten years before they knew whether folly or reputation would benefit. This is the Adrianna Vineyard - South America's Grand Cru In this episode Pedro San Martin of Bodega Catena Zapata brings us closer to the stones and vines that now produce 100 Point wines. This was a terroir that local viticulturists said could never ripen grapes at all. In 2018 Laura Catena brought out her second book. It was titled 'GOLD in the vineyards'. (Her first was the brilliant 'Vino Argentina' in 2011). Gold in this case was the potential wine quality hidden away in special and rare terroirs across the world. The Adrianna vineyard held onto its gold for quite a few years. Then, after an inticate mapping of every detail relating to every vine - it released its treasure. Bodega Catena Zapata is represented in Ireland by Cassidy Wines. Enjoy ----------------------------------------------------------------------- While all restaurants in Ireland were closed until recently many reopened. That was great news - Open Again. Then we heard that they had to close once more - on Chrstmas Eve. Tough times, Tough times indeed. Here's hoping for a more succesful business environment in 2021. We should remember that many of these, including the wonderful Monty's of Kathmandu, are family businesses. They are often small and brilliant and need our support more than ever. Keep Safe and Keep well. Kevin Ecock's WinePod is brought to us with the assistance of the Santa Rita Wine Room at Monty's of Kathmandu - an excellent place to host your next event or celebration. Contact Shiva at 01 -6704911 or HERE at the Santa Rita Wine Room web page.