The range, formed by Albilla d’Ica and Amore d’Ica, had modernized its image, but maintains its original signature. It is the unique balance between aromas and fruity flavors, low alcohol and harmonious sweetness, and lightly present of natural gas. This time, two professional sommeliers tell us how to pairing it (and succeed in the try).
This line was challenging for Don Pedro Olaechea, Tacama CEO then, and French winemaker Robert Niederman. Inspired in Asti, Italia wines, and thinking that its fresh and sweet profile would adapt really well to Peruvian palate, Albilla d’Ica and el Amore d’Ica born. And with them, the Semi-sparkling wine line (called Celebración). It was the year 2001.
The Semi-sparkling wines are must partially fermented that keep part of carbonic gas. Unlike the sparkling wines, which are made with two fermentations —one for the base wine and other for set up the foam—, the Semi-sparkling wines are made with just one fermentation that is interrupted to convert the natural sugar of the grape and a bit of carbonic gas. “It has a low alcoholic grade (8.5 %), high natural sugar content and a little of gas”, explains Tacama’s winemaker and technical manager, Frédéric Thibaut.
The Albilla d’Ica, probably, was a pioneer wine. “When we launched the Albilla Semi-sparkling wine, no one made it in Peru”, says Thibaut. The Albilla is a patrimonial grape, meaning, it has roots, history and culture. It is also called Palomino Fino, it was brought by the Spaniards 500 years ago, but adapted perfectly to the conditions of Ica.The Albilla vine are in Tacama since 1892 and traditionally used just for Pisco.
“It is a white grape that offers aromatic fineness and elegance, fruity and floral notes; that’s why, we thought that it could also stand out in this type of wines”, adds the winemaker. So it was. The Albilla d’Ica wine, for its interrupted fermentation, maintains the aromas and original grape juice flavors (must) , feels very natural and—thanks to the carbonic gas touch— fresh with discreet bubbles.
IN GOOD COMPANY
According to the professional sommelier Edgard Sialer, the Albilla d’Ica at sight has a straw, clean yellow with good bright; in nose it feels floral, with tropical fruits, peach, pineapple and a bit of mango. “In palate, its acidity, sweet and alcohol harmonies leaving a nice sensation and delicate effervescences, and a subtle spicy and bitter, that turns out to be refreshing”, adds. For this one, the sommelier suggests pairing it with creamy cheese, like Blue Cheese and Philadelphia, dried fruit and raisins. It will leave a mark.
Another choice? Fresh fruits and with citric flavors, such as mango, pineapple, apple and golden berry in small quantities. According to Sialer, it is best to serve at a temperature of 10°C or 12°C in a white wine glass with a tulip bowl that thins in the upper side, helping to spread out its aromas and keep its effervescences.
The Amore d’Ica, on the other hand, is made with Malbec grapes harvested by hand. It has the same balance of fruit, sugar, alcohol and gas as the Albilla, but its aromatic profile is more of red fruit, like strawberry and raspberry. According to the winemaker Thibaut, the Malbec grapevine was chosen because, amongst the red grapes of Tacama, is the one with the most fruity character and good acidity, which is valuable for the harmony with the high content of sugar that characterize the Semi-sparkling wines.
Pedro Cuenca, expert sommelier of the Wong supermarkets and Peruvino director, tasted it and said: “In the Amore d’Ica, at sight it is appreciated a raspberry red color and a moderate quantity of bubbles. In nose, its aromas remember to caramelized apples, ripe strawberries and raspberries. In palate, it is sweet, slightly effervescent, fresh and friendly”. The sommelier suggests pairing it with desserts like strawberry pie or raspberry cheesecake. Or with bittersweet oriental dishes like Kam Lu Wantan or ChiJauKay. Also, the perfect plan will be enjoying it at a temperature between 9°C and 10°C —one hour in the refrigerator will be enough— and in a white wine glass.
A LITTLE UPGRADE
This pair of Semi-sparkling wines was a technical challenge for Tacama’s team. After its creation in 2001, it has turned into well-known and highly demanded wines. It is a range really loved by the consumer”, reveals Mariela Gutelli, Marketing and Innovation manager of the vineyard. Therefore, in the rebranding of this line, “we wanted to maintain the original spirit, but updating the design with new visual codes”, adds.
That way, in Albilla d’Ica label remains the image of the cherub and in the Amore d’Ica the nymph image stays. The choice of the characters was inspired in those beings that accompanied Bacchus, the god of wine, in his festivities. “The change just was in the format of the label, the bas-relief was added, like in the redesign of others lines and some details were optimized”, says Pablo Pineda, Art director and creative of Caliptra Creative Agency, the agency in charge of these changes. Long live the Semi-sparkling wine line
To buy the Semi-sparkling wine line products, just visit supermarkets, liquor stores and auto services, enter the web or write via WhatsApp (+51 913 090 43 Lima/ +51 981 147 078 Ica). For more information about Tacama, enter www.tacama.com and/ or visit the official pages in Facebook and Instagram.
