THE FATHER OF MALBEC – ARGENTINA’S JOSE “PEPE” GALANTE

Deborah Parker Wong in her light-filled kitchen.

Bodegas Salentein honored winemaker Jose “Pepe” Galante at a private luncheon in the home of Deborah Parker Wong last week here in San Francisco. Galante was the long-time winemaker at Catena Zapata, one of the country’s other big names in wine, and has only just recently joined Bodegas Salentein, completing the 40th harvest of his life earlier this year.

Deborah prepared a multi-course gourmet meal paired expertly with a flight of Bodegas Salentein wines (read our reviews of the wines here http://planetgrapewinereview.com/?s=salentein) including a delicious Terrine of Summer Vegetables and Venison Chop with dried blueberry jus that was the best pairing I’ve ever had with Malbec outside of Mendoza.

“Pepe” is also known for his crisp style of Chardonnay coming from the San Pablo Estate, at 5500′ elevation in the Valle de Uco.