One thing you may have gathered about the folks at Domaine Bousquet, from reading about them here and elsewhere, is that they never stand still. Jean Bousquet’s goal from the very beginning was to farm organically and make the best quality wines possible in Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Jean’s daughter Anne Bousquet and her husband Labid Al Ameri have for some years now continued Jean’s quest for excellence. They have expanded the winery’s impressive list of certifications beyond Organic to Biodynamic and most recently Regenerative Organic Certified.
The same can be said for the range of wines made by Domaine Bousquet: Sparkling (both tank and bottle fermented), Single Vineyard Ameri wines, Estate Grown, an un-oaked varietal range, Gaia range, Virgen range (no sulfites added), Alavida (kosher wines) and LO CA, the low-calorie range. All are USDA Certified Organic or Made With Organic Grapes.
It took winemaker Rodrigo Serrano several vintages to make a low-calorie wine that suited his taste. According to Rodrigo, “It was a challenge to harvest grapes with low sugar content, and therefore low potential alcohol, while harnessing just the right amount of acidity to facilitate balance and enjoyment. Several attempts were made in recent years, and finally, with the 2022 vintage, we were able to nail it down.”
Rodrigo is working with the additional challenge in the cellar of not adding sulfites during winemaking. Thus, these wines are Certified Organic by USDA, the highest organic standard in the US.
Today we are tasting two LO CA wines that are perfect for the warm (Who am I kidding, I mean hot?) temperatures. We received both wines as tasting samples.
2023 Domaine Bousquet LO CA Chardonnay, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina — light golden with aromas of grapefruit, pears and Meyer lemons. Flavors include ripe citrus, stony minerality and pears supported by abundant, bright, juicy acidity. 9.5% abv. SRP $14
2023 Domaine Bousquet LO CA Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina — medium ruby with aromas of ripe blueberries and blackberries. Flavors include raspberries, cranberries, blueberries and pomegranates. Tannins are grippy and drying and supported by notable acidity in a just-medium body. 9.5% abv. SRP $14
These wines have notable acidity in common along with freshness, balance and complex flavors. We also appreciate the relatively low alcohol that comes along with the low calorie count (less than 80 per 5-ounce serving). Both wines are dry with about 1 gram of natural sugar and are USDA Certified Organic.
These wines are delightful sipped on their own and will pair nicely with summertime salads (the Chardonnay in particular) and whatever comes off the grill. For something a bit different, serve the Malbec slightly chilled. A chilled red wine on a hot evening is the best.
Domaine Bousquet wines are widely distributed in the US and elsewhere. You shouldn’t have trouble finding them.
Thanks to Creative Palate Communications for organizing our tasting and providing background information.
Cheers!
