My friends the World Wine Guys (aka Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen) have been busy lately, it seems.
First, they publish the Fire Island Cookbook just in time for Summer, and now that Summer is coming to a close they’re already back on the shelves with another well-executed tome, Wines Of The Southern Hemisphere (Sterling Publishing, about $24).
I’m not sure how they did all of this, but I am starting to strongly suspect that illegal human cloning is involved, because the work that seems to have gone into these releases is bordering on astonishing.
I like the book, and since I received two sample copies (not sure how or why that happened), I’ve decided that we’ll give away TWO copies to two (separate!) lucky 1WD readers…
As for the book itself: Wines Of The Southern Hemisphere is nearly 600 pages of excellent information, targeted at budding wine lovers in the Northern hemisphere but chock full of information that Intermediates and more seasoned wine geeks would still likely find quite useful: grape, region, and producer overviews, winemaker interviews and recipes ideas for food pairings with wines from each of the countries “visited” in the course of the book. So in a way, Mike and Jeff have taken the regional overview wine book formula and turned it a bit on its ear, and added their own flair and obvious enjoyment of the various areas’ people and cuisine. In that respect, Wines Of The Southern Hemisphere could keep you pretty busy, both as a guide and a source of entertainment and food-and-wine pairing ideas. In fact, the only things I don’t like about this book are the fact that the images are all gray-scale, and it contains what might be the single most boring foreword in the history of wine literature, courtesy of über-winemaking-consultant Michel Rolland.
Anyway… here’s the skinny on the giveaway:
- Leave a comment here noting your fave Southern Hemisphere wine: no restrictions on price, availability, or any other rules other than the fact that it is produced in a country south of the equator!
- On October 23rd, I will randomly select two (separate!) commenters who will each take home one copy of the book, something I fear I will soon regret since the book isn’t small and the shipping charges probably aren’t dirt cheap. Oh, well… don’t say I never did anything for you, okay?
Shout out those S. Hemi. wines for a chance to win – and good luck!
Cheers!
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Comments
Imkarenp
Penfolds bin 707!
1WineDude
Imkarenp- thanks, nice pick.
JonSter
I love pretty much everything produced in Argentina or Chile, but for purposes of this contest, I'll pick one: Kaiken Ultra Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. Big, bold flavor, our friends who tried it loved it! We had a 2007 for the record…
1WineDude
Thanks, JonSter- *Everything* from those countries? That makes one of us… not that I don't love quite a few of the wines from those parts, but I've tasted a fair amount of clunkers. Of course, you might just be the lucky person who has yet to run into one of those not-so-stellar bottles yet. Cheers!
JonSter
i've had some wines I've enjoyed more than others, but I can't say I've had any from those countries I actually hated or even disliked…I guess maybe I have been lucky. I really think some of the best wine values used to be Australia, then South America, and now I'm seeing a shift toward Spain and Portugal. Spain and Portugal are of course not southern hemisphere, otherwise I probably would have listed a Rioja…
1WineDude
JonSter- totally agree with you. In my experience, Malbec prices for the stuff that used to be amazing bargains have moved up, for example, with lesser examples taking their price point places in the market. Portugal is offering amazing bargains right now, that is for sure, and Spain has really come on strong in the last 6+ years and showing no signs of slowing down yet (and there are some crazy good bargains available at the lower-end of the Rioja spectrum). Cheers!
AliM
Two Hands Shiraz
1WineDude
Thanks, AliM!
Jacira Paolino
Casa Silva, Gran Reserva Petit Verdot 2006. Scrumptuous velvety cinnamon to balance the fruit acid, melts in your mouth!
1WineDude
Jacira – Thanks. Interesting choice! Silva is a really cool place to visit, as well.
Jacira Paolino
Yes, I know! I spent five years living in Chile: a year and a half in Viña del Mar and three and a half in Santiago, where I had a receptive tourism service and got to tour my fair share of Chilean wineries! In the Valle de Aconcagua there's a nunnery that produces wine and they only sell them at a stand by the roadside! I can almost agree with JonSter about (almost) never having tried a bad Chilean wine! ;-)
1WineDude
Jacira – nice! But you're a homer now for Chile, so we have to factor that into your comments… ;-)
Jacira Paolino
I was led to believe the selection would be "random"!
1WineDude
Jacira – oh, the winner selection is random, so opinions will not influence it :).
Dusty
I've been trying different Australian wines lately. Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz has been my favorite.
1WineDude
Thanks, Dusty!
Winodennis
The unknown, unappreciated white: Have not had a bad Argentinian Torrontes yet, and most are under $10. When Dungeness Crab season begins, here in Northern California, there's your go-to beverage!
1WineDude
Thanks, winodennis.
Todd - VT Wine Media
Sounds like a great book. I need to learn more about South Africa, and do more than dabble down-under. Much more familiar with the Southern Cone, and as such my small production favorite is Von Siebenthal Carabantes.
1WineDude
Todd – nice, going all geeky on us! :)
Todd - VT Wine Media
First had it in VT, then had it in Santiago and it made even more sense. Have a few '04s still that are probably prime. Salud!
Ron Saikowski
Fav white is Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc. With a Torrentes from Argentina coming in second.
1WineDude
Thanks, Ron!
MyrddinGwin
Two of the most interesting wines I've ever tried were from South America. A family friend who had travelled throughout that continent in the 70s and 80s brought back some wines with him. About six years ago, he brought two wines from his trips to my Mum's place for dinner. The first was a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon from 1978, and the other an Argentinian meritage blend from 1986. I cannot remember the producers of said wines because it not only happened years ago and I didn't write it down, but also because I didn't like wine at all and I hadn't had much experience with it since I hadn't reached legal drinking age yet. Despite that, I was poured a glass of each wine with dinner, anyway.
To make a long story short, the first wines I ever liked in my life were these. So while there might be wines I absolutely love nowadays, I probably wouldn't have discovered them until much later in life, if ever, if I hadn't tried these two wines. Even my career can justifiably be traced back to trying them. So while they might not precisely be my favourite wines, they are the ones that made having a favourite be possible–sort of a meta-favourite.
Also, these wines remain the oldest single-vintage wines I've tried, so far.
1WineDude
MyrddinGwin- thanks for sharing that; I *love* hearing the formative wine stories that people have, the stuff that got them into wine. Cheers!
Jon Zeiger
I'm only just getting into Southern Hemisphere wines, so far my favorite has been Argentinian Malbec. I really want to try some South African wines!
1WineDude
Thanks, Jon. Sounds like you've got a fun & tasty journey ahead there.
Rafael
Nothing beats the cheap and fun Bodega Colomé Torrontés on a warm day!
1WineDude
Thanks,Rafael. Wow, lots of Torrontes luv so far in this giveaway!
Rhonda
Barista Pinotage
1WineDude
Thanks, Rhonda – finally, some Pinotage love!
Mike and Jeff
Hi Joe–thanks for posting! Wee can tell you how you received two copies: You were on our personal list of friends who write about wine, and you were also on the publisher's list of high profile wine bloggers. Thanks for the shout-out!
1WineDude
Mike and Jeff – thanks. Sorry, but you are ineligible for the giveaway… ;-)
Rachel
Unfortunately, I only got to explore wines of Italy with Mike and Jeff many years ago, before they became big shots :) So I really don't know much about any of the wines from the Southern Hemisphere : ( Does that make me a really good candidate for the book then? :) I mean really, who better to educate, right? ha ha ha. I feel like such a virgin.
1WineDude
Rachel – we can let you in on a technicality! ;-)
Paul B
My Favorite is a toss up
2008 Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, Maipo Valley ( What a bargain!!!!)
and
2009 Marques Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley from Concho Y Toro
Love those Reds from Chile
1WineDude
Thanks, Paul!
masi3v
I really like John Duval's wines. I'll go with the 2005 Duval Plexus!
1WineDude
Masi – thanks!
Tom Riley
Long been a fan of anything made by the folks at Turkey Flat in Barossa, especially their Butcher Block, which is a GSM blend of finesse and power. They make a wonderful extravagent shiraz as well.
1WineDude
Tom – nice pick!
Frank
In general, the Pinot Noirs of the Adelaide Hills region of southern Australia. Underrated (and not well known about) Specifically, Ashton Hills Pinot Noir — truly an amazing Pinot. Pinots from this region are nearly impossible to find here in the US, especially here in the southeast, and the excellent, small lot productions rarely ever cross the border via distribution. Have to visit to taste them.
1WineDude
Thanks, Frank!
Brian
Barossa Shiraz is always a good choice, but I really enjoyed the 2009 Clos de los Siete from Mendoza. Yum.
1WineDude
Thanks, Brian!
Beth
I am also new to Southern Hemisphere wines, but here are a few I have tasted: 2010 Lancatay Malbec, 2010 Crios Malbec, 2011 Aresti Sauvignon Blanc, and 2011 Six Hats Chenin Blanc, Cheers!
1WineDude
Thanks, Beth – the Crios wines in particular are pretty good value in my experience. Cheers!
Bob H
Being North of the 49th Parallel, I might even see a wider selection of Southern Hemisphere wines than I do American. I can give you faves from Mendoza (Pulenta), Chile (Errazuriz), NZ (Mount Riley) and any number from Barossa, McLaren Vale or Margaret River but a constant bottle in our home, for years, has been Langmeil's Valley Floor Shiraz from the Barossa. Cheers.
1WineDude
Bob H. – Terrific pick, certainly one of the best producers in Barossa. Cheers!
Wendy
Just love 2009 Church Road Reserve Cabernet Merlot, from Hawkes Bay .NZ. Stunning with .NZ lamb.
1WineDude
Thanks, Wendy!
Scotty Moran
It may not surprise you to discover that my favorite Southern Hemisphere wine is…
Henschke "Hill of Grace" with Penfolds Grange a very close 2nd.
Who knew?
1WineDude
Scotty – truly you have a dizzying intellect… :)
Richard Brubaker
One of my absolute favorite wine/food experiences was at a restaurant in Cromwell, New Zealand. Quickly becoming a fan of Central Otago Pinot Noir (darn I wish they were easier to get on the Right Coast of the US!), I was fortunate to select a saddleback of lamb paired with one of the local Pinot's. I would travel half way across the world again just to repeat that experience!
1WineDude
Richard – nice! Thanks!
laura
Indaba Chenin Blanc from South Africa is my favorite bargain wine atm! South of the equator and $7.99–not too shabby :)
1WineDude
Laura – nice, gotta love finding one you like for that price.
1WineDude
Alright, folks – got our two randomly selected winners! They are JonSter and Masi3v.
Thanks to everyone for the great comments and for sharing the recommendations!