Origin: Mendoza, AR
Grape: Malbec 40%, Merlot, 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon, 30%
Year: 2013
Alcohol: 14.5%
Price point: $20
Year Reviewed: 2018
Have you heard of Bodega Norton? You should have. Sir Edmund James Palmer Norton (1865-1944) was the pioneer of Mendoza viticulture. Here is some informative data on Norton’s history and who now owns the bodega:
Transandine Railway[edit]
After graduating with a degree in engineering his expertise in building railway bridges was requested to help build the Transandine Railway which connected the Argentine railroad from Mendoza to Santiago, Chile. This line, climbing through the Andes through a 12,000-foot pass, was built in one of the most difficult railroad terrains in the world.[2] Though the railway has not been functional since 1984, in 2006, both the Argentine and Chilean governments agreed to refurbish the railway and make it functional by the year 2010, at an estimated total cost of US$460 million.
Argentine viticulture[edit]
Once his work on the railway was completed, he moved to Bahía Blanca before returning to Mendoza in 1889 to settle permanently. Though his formal training was in designing railway bridges, he soon sought other opportunities. In 1895 he founded the very first winery in the area, Bodega Norton, located to the south of the Mendoza River in the district of Perdriel, in the department of Luján de Cuyo. Norton recognized the Mendoza region’s potential for wine cultivation and production, and planted grapes with vines imported from France. He devoted the rest of his life to winemaking. He married Juana Suarez and had several children, some of whom continued the family business.[3]
Bodega Norton[edit]
In 1989, Bodega Norton was acquired by Austrian entrepreneur Gernot Langes–Swarovski, owner of Swarovski Crystal Company.[4] Bodega Norton now exports over 1.5 million cases annually.[5]
References[edit]
- Jump up^Fischer, Richard (2006, April 19). Globalization and the Latin Perspective. Retrieved October 24, 2008, from http://www.dallasfed.org/news/speeches/fisher/2006/fs060419.html
- Jump up^Schreiner, John (2008, April 13). Travels in Argentina Wine Country: Bodega Norton. Plan It, British Columbia. Retrieved October 24, 2008 from http://www.planitbc.com/Articles/article241-BodegaNorton.html
- Jump up^Bodega Norton. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2008, from http://www.sawineco.com/vineyard.cfm?preview=96tml
- Jump up^Bodega Norton. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2008 from http://www.norton.com.ar/english/origin.htm
- Jump up^Molesworth, James (2007, November 29). A Sit Down With Bodega Norton. Wine Spectator Retrieved October 23, 2008 from http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1541,00.html
This clean medium garnet presents aromas of plum, white and red pepper and vegetals. I also get some medicinal or eucalyptus aromas and did some research on why many wines I have been opening have hints of this. Wines that give the medicinal, minty or eucalyptus aromas are usually wines that are higher in alcohol content or truly the vineyards are near eucalyptus trees….Interesting.
On the palate, you will receive a well-blended dry, medium acidity wine with only medium tannins. The body holds its own as medium with flavors erupting of black cherry, plum and red pepper with spices. The wine rounds out with a long finish and the quality is very good. Norton continues to be a leader in his category of wines.