Peru's Tacama Wine Now in Korea for the Holidays

The Peruvian wine Tacama can now be added to wine lovers' holiday shopping lists.

Imported for the Peruvian food promotion week held at the Grand Inter-Continental Seoul hotel last week, the wine complements Peruvian cuisine and also goes well with a variety of Asian dishes.

The selection of Tacama wines includes red, white and sparkling wines. The taste and fragrance of these light and fruity wines make them a unique addition to any fine cellar. Among the reds, Gran Tinoto Seleccion Especial is the pride of Tacama, Peru's oldest winery, according to the Peruvian sommelier Maria Cristina Vallarino Lozada.

Its color is bright red with purple tints and a rich bouquet with fruity overtones, making it a rare treat. Gran Tinto, also a fine red wine, is made from Malbec, Tannat and Petit Verdot grapes. The wine's light but lasting taste goes especially well with hors d'oeuvres.

Tacama Brut, made from Chenin and Ugniblanc grapes , is a surprisingly tasty sparkling wine. The good news about this sparkling sensation is its affordable price - 45,000 won ($40.90). The Gran Tinoto Seleccion Especial goes for 70,000 won and the Gran Tinto for 40,000 won. The wines are available only at the Grand Inter-Continental Seoul hotel. To find out more about how wine should be enjoyed, JoongAng Ilbo English Edition talked with Ms. Vallarino:

IHT-JAI: Tell us about the Tacama Winery.

Vallarino: The valley is located about 300 kilometers south of Lima, the capital of Peru. The winery covers about 150 hectares at the foothills of the Andes. The climate and soil are optimal for wine making. We grow the best grapes - Sauvignon, Malbec, Albilla, Semillion and the like. We don't use oak barrels in the fermentation process, thus the wine has a light taste.

IHT-JAI: Do Peruvians drink a lot of wine?

Vallarino: Of course! For us South Americans, like Europeans, drinking wine is part of daily life. Look at me! I drink in the morning, in the evening, at the beach and at home.

IHT-JAI: As a professional who studied oenology (the science of wine making) in France and Spain, what do you recommend we should drink?

Vallerino: All kinds of wines! Wine is a mood drink. If you're relaxing in the sun at the beach at 11 o'clock in the morning, you wouldn't want red - you'd want a white wine, something light and crispy. When you're having a big meal like steak, have some red wine - very strong and rich. You see, people who enjoy wine are rarely alcoholics. Alcoholics prefer spirits and whiskey. Wine drinking is a wonderful part of life.

For more information on Tacama wine culture, history and recipes, visit the Tacama web site (www.tacama.com).

by Ines Cho