Tannat and Tango: Ryan Ponders Taking Lessons

7.10.08 -- Greetings Everyone! Today was filled with more successes starting with another meeting with a potential bodega. This one is run by two young brothers who share the same business philosophies as us and who we see as being real partners. Their bodega focuses on a type of grape not commonly found in the United States, called bonarda. It’s traditionally known as a blending grape and is rarely found on its own. However, people are starting to see its potential, especially when fostered by the thirty year old vines that this bodega has! It's wonderfully rounded and goes perfect with the foods of Argentina, so think BBQ and steak wine!

In the evening I headed to the theater on Independence Square, where our friend Daniel, one of the bodega owners, was performing tango! Before entering the theater I popped into Vines of Mendoza to chat with a friend and taste some of their new wines. I was floored by a remarkable local tannat wine. Tannat is mostly made in Uruguay and in the north of Argentina, but this one was from just down the road. It was rich and began to take on characteristics of an older wine. After I let it sit for a few minutes it smelled like maple syrup. Put that on your pancakes!

After my little tasting it was time for the show. Luckily I wore my suit, as these folks were dressed up! The performance was a blend of traditional tango and modern dance. It incorporated imagery from Argentina's history starting with the birth of the tango movement in the early 1900s. Now, I know little of the tango art form, but I do know that it started as a dance among primarily Italian immigrants in the poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. And not much later, it became a global sensation. But how should it look, particularly when performed by such an accomplished artist as Daniel?

Even to my untrained eye it was beautiful in its gracefulness. There is a give and take that occurs between the man and women and a sensuous flow that underscores it all. There is definitely a European aspect to the dance, particularly in the music, but there is no way that this could have come from the old country. It is passionate and risqué and perfectly captures the emotion of Argentina. As for Daniel himself, I know that I am a bit biased, but I have to say that he was the best male dancer on the stage. His movements were in absolute harmony with his partners and a beat was never missed.

I think I need to start taking lessons