Event #3 -- Malbec![]() WINNER: Vaglio Malbec COUNTRY: Argentina Earthy and fresh, this bottle of wine has a plump dark fruit flavor with a smidge of green herbs. The often underrated Malbec offers more than just value when it comes to higher priced reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The main fruit flavors in Argentine Malbec are blackberry, plum and black cherry with hints of milk chocolate, leather, and depending on the amount of oak aging, a sweet tobacco flavor. Bold, but smooth without much of a lingering finish, Malbec pairs nicely with rustic flavors like cumin and lean meats such as pork. ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT You just read that Malbec is typically the "underdog" when it comes to the red wine family; so it is only fitting to introduce Argentina's Paula Pareto, the first Argentine judoka to win an Olympics Games gold medal! Leading up to the games, Brazil's Sarah Menezes was the hometown hopeful to win the gold in Judo. Unfortunately, Menezes not only lost her repechage match, but she went out with a dislocated elbow; opening the door for underdog Paula Pareto to rise in the ranks and take home the country's first gold medal in Judo! Congratulations, Paula! You are in inspiration to many! PAIRING MALBEC GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH CHIMICHURRI SAUCE
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![]() Event #2 -- Sauvignon Blanc WINNER: Huru Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc COUNTRY: New Zealand There is so much more to this bottle of wine than just another pretty bottle. Over the last few decades, New Zealand's Marlborough Valley has established itself as one of the leading "savvy" growing regions in the world. The natural, straightforwardness of Huru Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc makes it easy to drink, especially for beginners. This complex wine has a full bouquet of fruit flavors, including pink grapefruit, mango, passionfruit, and lime. ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT The New Zealand men's rowing pair of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond took their second Olympic gold in the Rio Summer Olympics! Possibly the greatest team in rowing history. Murray and Bond have won 69 successive races at elite level in the men's coxless pair, with their record in that boat featuring two Olympic golds, six world championships and 16 World Cup triumphs. Congratulations to these amazing athletes for their Olympic gold and the stellar achievements they have made in their winning career! PAIRING SAUVIGNON BLANC GARLIC CHICKEN, BEAN AND FETA SALAD Can be served as a side or enjoy as a main meal MARINADE 1. 17 1/2 oz skinless, boneless chicken thighs 2. garlic cloves, crushed 3.Juice from 1/2 lemon 4. Tbsp olive oil 5. 1/2 tsp sea salt DRESSING 1. 1/4 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil 2. 1/8 cup of lemon juice 3. 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped 4. 1/2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil 5. 1/4 tsp sea salt 6. 1/4 tsp sugar 7. A pinch of freshly ground black pepper SALAD 1. 17 1/2 oz thin green beans, topped & tailed 2.1 can cannellini beans, drained & rinsed 3. 10 cherry tomatoes, quartered 4. 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
![]() Event #1 -- Unoaked Chardonnay WINNER: LaPlaya Unoaked Chardonnay COUNTRY: Chile A favorite coming into the Wine Olympics is the Chilean wine, LaPlaya Unoaked Chardonnay. We have introduced it before in a previous Buzz post and will continue to be huge fans of LaPlaya! Back Story: For those who aren’t familiar with the difference between unoaked and oaked, unoaked wine isn’t aged in barrels, it’s aged in steel. Oaked wine has a little more of a fuller, warmer flavor to it while unoaked is more crisp with more dominant hints of fruit. Oaked Chardonnay will also be a little more yellow in color, taking away more than just flavor from the oak barrels. If you tend to not like wines with a lot of oak, look into other parts of the world than say, California whites, which are known for being more “oaky” than other regions. ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT Chile isn’t known for sending big teams to the Olympics every four years, but there is a Marathon runner named Erika Olivera who deserves a mention for being forty years old and participating in her fourth consecutive trip to the Olympics. While a fourth showing at the games is impressive enough, Erika has five kids and plans on running for office to become a member of the Chilean Congress when she retires from running. WOW! Although Erika isn’t expected to medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she is a winner in our book. That’s one ambitious woman! Erika will be running her event, the Olympic Marathon on Sunday August 14th. PAIRING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY CHILEAN SEA BASS WITH GARLIC & HERBS
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Two Lake Geneva locals with a two glass minimum... simply put, we're the Wine Guys!
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