Reviews of our wines
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Savvy Wine Lush, gushes over Famiglia Meschini Cabernet with a Cheeseburger.
FAMIGLIA MESCHINI CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVA
Cost: Average price $14
Where buy now: Byerly’s Ridgedale, Solo Vino, Sorella Wines & Spirits, South Lyndale Liquors, Swirl Wine Bar, Thomas Liquors
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Vintage: 2008
Famiglia Meschini Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva
Sometimes all you need is a cheeseburger, fries and a Coke. What if I told you you could swap that Coca-Cola for a Cabernet?
This week’s pic is an homage to steak and cab, but in a good, down home kinda way. I was recently up in the Cloquet area, about two hours north on Hwy 35, and home to the “World’s only Frank Lloyd Wright designed gas station!” (Yawn) My in-laws live up there and many years ago, they introduced me to a hamburger joint that’s been around since 1960: Gordy’s Hi-Hat.
Gordy’s food is a real treat, and since it is only open Spring through Fall, it has become a righteous annual rite. The place doesn’t look like it’s been touched for decades, just the way I like it. Phenomenal hand-pattied burgers, crispy fries, amazing Wild Alaskan Cod fish sandwiches (don’t get me started about the malts and shakes!). When I go, I usually throw all caution to the wind and get a double cheeseburger w/ fried onions. This trip, I only got a single. To go. Boy, that was stupid.
Since we ate a late brunch, it was time already to head back to “Da Cities”. But we HAD to make a stop at Gordy’s, so I got a cheeseburger to go. That puppy made it all the way back to town. As we were driving, I could smell nothing but the greasy goodness that was an all-beef patty, fried onions, cheese and melty condiments. You know what I smelled? I smelled America, folks, and it couldn’t have smelled any sweeter.
Once home, I raced to unpack the car. For the entire ride, I had one wine in mind to have with my delicious spoils. Famiglia Meschini Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva.
Why pair a smooth Cab with a greasy burger? Because it’s brilliant.
Years ago while on a business trip, I ate dinner at a hoity-toity Chicago steakhouse called Gibson’s. I dined with the president & CEO and a writer from the Boston Globe. I was really young and wanting to do the “right” thing. But on that night, I just didn’t crave steak tartare or a filet. I needed a cheeseburger and fries. So, that’s what I ordered. The Boston Globe writer said, “You know what, that sounds good,” and she had the same. Sometimes, right is just right. Nowadays, I typically choose to drink a Cab alongside a good burger. It’s nostalgic for me.
I just love that they are doing this as organic as possible. Making wines they like, importing and selling it all themselves. Again, this equals savings to you and me! The Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva is a triumph. Upon opening the bottle, scents of black cherry, oak and history come pouring out. This Cab isn’t super dense or thick, it’s just lovely. It has the usual characteristics of a Cab: bold, dark cherry fruit, slight oak presence and full bodied. And, at a price of around $13.99, it’s even more wonderful. If you’re a fan of Cab’s and enjoy the likes of J.Lohr or Liberty School, I implore you to give this one a try.
Red wine, red meat-damn son, let’s eat!
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The Savy Lush Reviews Famiglia Meschini Premium White Blend
Cost: Average price $11.99
Where buy now: Byerly’s Wines & Spirits, Minnetonka- $11.99, Swirl in Afton – $11.99
Grapes: Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Vintage: 2011
A few weeks ago, I sat down with Eugenio & Teresa Meschini, co-owners of the winery Famiglia Meschini. They met at St. Thomas University, where he was a Chemistry major and she was a French and Business major. Guy meets girl, falls in love, marries, they have babies, yadda yadda yadda. A few years later, they invest in a vineyard being developed by a good friend near his hometown of Mendoza, Argentina. For me, THIS is where the magic begins.
Eugenio and Teresa
Early on in our visit, the Meschini’s came clean: they are not wine purists. They are atypically fearless with their blends, always brainstorming new combinations. Also, these folks are not afficianados in lab coats, J Crew khakis and dark rimmed glasses discussing the aromatic nuances of wet dog and feet (two ACTUAL terms used by wine critics- I cannot make this up). The Meschini’s come to the wine industry having been lovers of the grape and making what they enjoy. As Teresa put it, “We make wines, but not to impress. If no one else likes our wine, we’ll just have to drink them.” Amen, sister!
Eugenio then discussed the early 1990s wine-boom in Argentina. In the mid-20th Century, Argentine wines were “crap”- nothing but glorified church wine at best. He firmly believes, though many Argentines don’t want to admit it, that the French influence during the 1970s/early 80s was crucial. He said the French brought new techniques and standards, including the use of stainless steel tanks and coal, that advanced the local production of today.
Famiglia Meschini is located about 3200 ft above sea level right at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, facing West. The vines get hot sun during the day and cool night breezes to maintain a balanced stress, which provides depth and character to the grapes. Meschini vineyards sell 90% of their grapes to other wineries. What they do with the other 10%, well, let’s find out.
I tasted two from their line: a white blend and a Malbec-Syrah blend. For those die-hard Malbec lovers, I implore you to try the Malbec -Syrah. The white blend is like a white Bordeaux, but with a Latin kick from the influence of the lightly effervescent Torrontes. I poured a glass one sunny afternoon and sat back on my patio. “Ah, life is good,” I thought to myself. The sun glistened off the condensating glass of light golden nectar. The aroma of apple and citrus fruit are apparent, and upon first sip, these flavors swirl around your mouth. There is also an ever so slight hint of what I’d call vanilla oak. It’s soft and round, not super sweet nor syrupy, yet a little heavier than a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Torrontes due to the Chardonnay. The Ugni Blanc & Sauvignon Blanc keep the crisp acidic citrus and floral notes balanced while the Torrontes gives it that apricot Latin kick of fizz I was referring to earlier. (Whew! Time to grab my labcoat and glasses after that diatribe.)
This is a fun wine! Drink it minus food distractions and you’ll enjoy it. Or, I paired it with a combination of grilled cod, spicy Asian noodles and spinach salad. (I know- WTF? It was at the end of the month as was our grocery budget.) This wine would pair well with fish and salad but it would also pair well with spicy Asian fare. I had enough for one glass, and let a couple girlfriends sample it, instantly they asked where they could get it. That’s a ringing endorsement!
I implore you to support this great family vineyard. If you live in the Western Metro, you know I’m sending you to Byerly’s in Minnetonka (PS, their wine sale is happening right now.) If you live in the Eastern Metro or Western Wisconsin, check out Swirl in Afton. Live in the city? Sorella Wines, France 44, Solo Vino, Thomas Liquor, South Lyndale Liquors are a few as well.
March 31, 2012
The Reverse Wine Snob Reviews our Malbec Syrah
Famiglia Meschini Premium Malbec Syrah 2009 – Silky Smooth With a Nice Kick
The Famiglia Meschini Premium Line is the accomplishment of our
dream to bring the true characteristics of each varietal to your glass. From the
vineyard to the bottle we limit our intervention so that the aromas and senses
come to life as you unleash these young and lively wines.
From the Bottle:
Our 2009 Premium Malbec Syrah is deep red in color with shades of indigo blue. Plum, red
cherry and spices come alive in the nose. Balanced with a round and smooth finish.
SRP of $12 and available for around $10. Sampled received courtesy the winemaker for review purposes.
50% Malbec, 50% Syrah from Mendoza, Argentina. 14.0% Alcohol
SRP of $12 and available for around $10. Sampled received courtesy the winemaker for review purposes.
I’ve previously reviewed a couple white wines from Famiglia Meschini, the Chardonnay
– which took 3rd place in The Chardonnay Showdown, and also the Sparkling
Torrontés which we also liked quite a bit. As such, I was excited to try my
first red wine from Eugenio and Teresa Meschini, a husband/wife team that
imports wines from their vineyards in Eugenio’s homeland of Argentina.
The 2009 Famiglia Meschini Premium Malbec Syrah begins with
strong aromas of plum and other dark fruit plus some floral and herbal notes.
The wine has lots of dark berry flavor upfront when tasting followed by some
surprising and really nice tannins that give the wine nice structure. This wine
has a rich, silky texture. The Premium Malbec Syrah finishes with a great kick
of spice and the dark fruit flavors keep going and going. An excellent and
affordable wine for all those Holiday get-togethers that are fast
approaching!
<hr style=”border:dashed #00CCFF; border-width:1px 0 0; height:0;”>Saturday, September 10, 2011
2010 Famiglia Meschini Sparkling Torrontés – A Bubbly Personality
100% Torrontés from Argentina. SRP of $11, but available for around $8.
Sample received courtesy Famiglia Meschini for review purposes.
The bottle doesn’t have any information on the wine so I asked Teresa Meschini to describe it. Here’s what she said:
“It tickles your tongue. That’s seriously the best way to describe it. Everyone who tries the Torrontés asks what it is and where they can get it. It’s love at first bubble with enticing aromas of peach, flowers & apricot. Lively bubbles in the front which mellow down in the mid palate. Pairings: You can enjoy Torrontés alone, but also marries well with spicy food such as Thai.
12.5% Alcohol”
The 2010 Famiglia Meschini Sparkling Torrontés begins with subdued aromas of tropical fruit. This is a sweet wine that tastes of melon, guava, lemon, and pear but the sparkling nature helps offset some of the sweetness. Fairly simple but very fresh and refreshing with a good crisp finish. This is not a complex wine, but offers a nice change up for summer. This one was not as good on day 2 so grab a couple friends and polish it off on the patio.
Meschinis juggle a family business
- Article by: BILL WARD , Star Tribune
- Updated: October 29, 2009 – 10:10 AM
Eugenio Meschini came up with a novel way to make ends meet for his fledgling winery. “He doesn’t pay his sales staff,” said his wife, Teresa, aka the sales staff.
Note: This is part of a series of profiles on Twin Citians who have fulfilled the dream of starting their own wineries.
Eugenio Meschini came up with a novel way to make ends meet for his fledgling winery.
“He doesn’t pay his sales staff,” said his wife, Teresa, aka the sales staff, at least when she’s not toiling at her full-time job: raising four children. “It’s enough to get out of the house,” she added with a smile over a glass of their delicious malbec.
Small wonder that the Minneapolis couple’s winery is called Famiglia Meschini. They own the vineyard and the import/distribution company that disseminates the wines. Oh, and he helps out with the winemaking in Argentina, during breaks from his full-time job at Cargill.
“This is our passion, our hobby,” said Eugenio.
It was just five years ago that the Meschinis bought 65 acres and planted vines in the Mendoza region of Eugenio’s native country. The 2008 vintage is their first made with their own grapes, and they still sell about 95 percent of their crop.
The Meschinis head south of the equator every year to soak in a decidedly different culture. “There’s donkeys in the street,” Eugenio said, “and people have time to talk to you. There’s a different concept of time there. Time goes slower because dinner is at 10:30.”
Eugenio heads there again for wine work, but in the viticultural rather than the vinicultural end of the enterprise. “I don’t have a say on vineyard management,” he said. “I have more involvement on the style of the wines. What it is that we like and what it is that we think the U.S. market will like, that’s my 5 cents.”
And there’s a lot to like with the wines. The $11 Premium line includes a juicy, vivacious sauvignon blanc, an unoaked chardonnay, a dark and layered malbec and a malbec-syrah blend (see Wine of the Week, below). There’s also a Reserva line at $16 and a bold but elegant $33 Gran Reserva cabernet that could hold its own with Napa cabs at twice that price.
To keep prices manageable, the Meschinis, who met as students at St. Thomas University (she’s from Rochester), started their own import/distribution operation, VinoAndes. They bring in four other South American wines, but the main purpose is to not have to pay middlemen.
“We can make it work so long as we export and import and distribute here,” he said, adding that the economic downturn didn’t hurt them as much “because we only have 100 cases of that top-tier wine.”
If that hadn’t worked out, though, the Meschinis had a backup plan.
“We said ‘If we don’t sell the wine, we will drink it ourselves,’” Teresa said with a chuckle.
Bill Ward • bill.ward@startribune.com Read Ward on Wine atstartribune.com/blogs/wine.