It was another beautiful week here in 🏝️ Venice—sunshine, good company, and a couple of wines that brought back amazing memories. This week reminded us just how powerfully wine can transport you. One sip of our Argentinian Cabernet Franc had us drifting straight back to the landscapes, meals, and moments from our South America trip earlier this year.
By the weekend, we leaned all the way in. We invited friends over for a relaxed evening at home, pairing a Chile- and Argentina-inspired meal with wine that evoked more memories—including the unforgettable Piedra Negra Corte Friulano. That’s the magic of wine: it’s not just what’s in the glass, but where it takes you and who you share it with.
🍷 Monday Wine
Wine:Â 2019 Designado Cabernet Franc
Winery: Bodega los Helechos
Region: Uco Valley, Tunuyán, Vista Flores (Argentina)
Blend: 100% Cabernet Franc
Price:Â ~$30
Rating: 🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️
Tasting Notes:
This was a great Argentinian Cab Franc with the beautiful bold fruit, hints of spice, and wafts of smokiness that I love. It was super drinkable – easy and smooth. Subtle leather and green undertones are really the icing on the cake for me. Bonus: the cork says “Wine is the union of cultures”. It’s so true and reflects one of the many things we love about wine. 🥂
Paired With: We opened this on its own, but enjoyed it with minestrone one evening. It would also be great with empanadas, or a nice piece of meat.
Where to buy: We purchased online, and there are multiple sites still offering the 2019. It’s definitely worth a try if you like Argentinian wines or Cab Franc.
🍷 Saturday Wine
Wine:Â 2024 Gran Lurton Los Chacayes Corte Friulano
Winery:Â Piedra Negra
Region:Â Uco Valley, Chacayes (Argentina)
Blend:
80% Tockaij
20% Sauvignon Blanc
Price:Â ~$65
Rating: 🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️
Tasting Notes
The Gran Lurton Blanco Corte Friulano from Bodega Piedra Negra is a really fun wine we found during our trip. It is mainly Tocai Friulano—a grape you just don’t see much of in the U.S. or even in South America. It opens with citrus and light floral notes. We found pear, stone fruit, and a hint of nuttiness with a touch of oak. It’s balanced and has enough acid to be refreshing. Most of all, though, it’s the kind of unique grape and bottle that instantly takes us back to Argentina, Piedra Negra, and our first sip of the wine in their tasting room.
Pair With: We kicked off our South American get together with this wine paired with some crudités and creamy chimchurri dip. It would also go really well with some of our delicious SWFL seafood or some roasted vegetables.
Where to buy: This one is a bit more challenging to find locally. You can find it on the Piedra Negra site. Alternately, I would recommend you try another Friulano if you’ve never had one before!
Venice Wine Experience Thoughts
Two fantastic bottles in one very Venice week—perfect weather, great wine, good friends, and even better memories. They had us daydreaming about heading south—way south—for more South American wine adventures and new discoveries. (I may have to start travel planning again ASAP! 🍷)
That’s the magic of wine for us: every bottle has a story, and sometimes it brings back a memory. And if it doesn’t already have a memory, well, we hope the wine you are drinking are creating great memories for you.
What wine did you enjoy last week, here in Venice or wherever your travels took you? Do you have a wine that brings back a special memory? Share in the comments!