 ¡Viva
Mexico!
The Unimagined and
Unexpected Wines from Mexico
By Jens Strecker and
John AndersonMexico generally hasn’t been
known for making great wines in the past. That is changing faster
than anyone can imagine. Contrary to popular belief, world-class
wines are now being produced in our neighbor to the South.
Many people don’t know that Mexico has been producing wine over
four centuries. In fact the first winery in the Western Hemisphere
was established in Mexico in 1587. However over most of its history
the Mexican wine industry focused on producing rather poor quality
“jug wines.” But 15 years ago that all began to change. A quiet
revolution in the Mexican industry is under way and its epicenter
can be found in the
 Valle
de Guadalupe, Baja California.
Located about 70 miles of San Diego, California, the Valle de
Guadalupe has been producing wines since 1834, when a Dominican
mission was built. A century later, Russian immigrants took over the
mission and its surrounding vineyards. They continued to grow the
same sweet, low-acid grapes that their Dominican predecessors had.
In the mid 1980s several Mexican entrepreneurs recognized the
potential of Guadalupe Valley to produce top quality grapes and
wines. Since then several small “Boutiques” wineries have emerged.
The
Monte Xanic (pronounced sha-neek) Winery, founded in 1987,
stands out as one of the most important producers. Winemaker Hans
Backoff (born in Ensanada, Baja California to a German biologist and
a Spanish-French mother) and his winery partners have committed
themselves to the rather ambitious goal of producing top quality
wines from the Monte Xanic Estate. Over the past 15 years Monte
Xanic wines have gained international recognition and can now be
found in finest restaurants, hotels and wine stores. The future
looks bright with the right soil, climate, varietals and the
dedication to quality.
The Monte Xanic wines are widely distributed in our area.
For more information contact Best Cellars at 206.527.5900 or
bcseattle@bestcellars.com,
or John Anderson at La Bodega Food & Beverage at 206.729.0616 or
labodegacorp@aol.com. John
Anderson is the president of La Bodega Food & Beverage and is one of
the most important importers and distributors of Mexican wine, beer
and Tequila.
Jens' Top Picks
Monte Xanic Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (Mexico) $17
Succulent notes of raspberries and plums rise from the glass
complementing the wine’s mouth-filling sweet’n'spicy cherry, oak,
vanilla, mint and chocolate flavors. Rich and robust, it never
threatens to overwhelm the palate, even after you’ve had a glass or
three. Addiction possible.
Monte Xanic Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 1998 (Mexico) $16
Deep crimson in color, Monte Xanic’s enticing, instantly gratifying
blend offers plenty of mouthwateringly ripe plum and strawberry
notes up front, followed up by complexing elements of creamy
chocolate, crunched white pepper and vanilla oak. Balanced from
start to finish, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with a little
something for every lover of New World Bordeaux blends.
Monte Xanic Chardonnay 1999 (Mexico) $16
Intense and complex aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple paired
with roasted nuts, butter and sweet spices due to oak aging is the
result of plenty of sunshine.
Monte Xanic Vina Kristel Sauvignon Blanc y Semillon 1999
(Mexico) $10
Transparent, pale yellow wine, with complex aromas of tropical
fruits like melon and leechi, and secondary notes of oak, caramel
and butter. On the palate the wine is dry, light –bodied with a
pleasant acidity.
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