From Kiwilimón for you
From Kiwilimón for you
The best cabernet in the world is 100% Mexican
By Shadia Asencio - 2020-06-15T09:50:14Z
The air seems to thin at the heights of the Sierra de Parras. In the distance, framed by the mountains, rests a beautiful stone and wood winery. But those who arrive here are not lost. At this point in Coahuila – according to the Concours International Des Cabernets – the best cabernet in the world is born, grows, and ages: Don Leo Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2013. A news to celebrate with a glass or two of Mexican wine.
David Mendel is the director of the ranch bought by his father thirty-seven years ago, where, before producing award-winning Mexican wines, the land was farmed, and livestock was raised. The enormous size of the land can only mean two things: that his family knows how to do business and that they also know how to win.
The story goes like this. On June first, a panel of French sommeliers blind-tasted wines from twenty-five regions. After tasting them all and deliberating, it was discovered that the best cabernet was not French, it was not from Napa Valley, it was not Australian. The best cabernet, the winner of the Gold Medal at the Concours International Des Cabernets, was Don Leo Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2013, and it was Mexican. In case the excitement of the winery owners was not enough, their Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2016 also brought home another gold medal.
A stroke of luck? Not at all. In previous occasions, Don Leo had already received gold and silver medals as in the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a highly prestigious competition. That a country like Mexico has won did not take everyone by surprise either. It has become increasingly common for national wine labels to obtain awards of all colors in competitions that validate wine quality. For example, last year we raised our glass to the health of Caipirinha 2016, a wine made for the Brazilian restaurant in Mexico City that bears the same name, when it won “World Revelation Red Wine” at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The blend was crafted in Valle de Guadalupe by another treasure chest producer: the winery El Cielo. Alongside it, in the honor roll, sometimes shines Monte Xanic, sometimes LA Cetto, Altotinto, Puerta del Lobo, and many others.
The best part for us is that the names change and the regions they come from do too. From Parras to Querétaro, from Valle de Guadalupe to Guanajuato, relatively little wine is produced in Mexico but of unbeatable quality. And that Don Leo Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2013 has been crowned as the best cabernet in the world serves as a reminder of this.
Mexican wines have come to become a national pride. Now they too, alongside our cuisine – which is an intangible cultural heritage of humanity according to UNESCO – make living in this country a delight like no other.
Pair a cabernet with these recipes:
Asado de Tira with Balsamic Glaze
Pork Ribs
David Mendel is the director of the ranch bought by his father thirty-seven years ago, where, before producing award-winning Mexican wines, the land was farmed, and livestock was raised. The enormous size of the land can only mean two things: that his family knows how to do business and that they also know how to win.
The story goes like this. On June first, a panel of French sommeliers blind-tasted wines from twenty-five regions. After tasting them all and deliberating, it was discovered that the best cabernet was not French, it was not from Napa Valley, it was not Australian. The best cabernet, the winner of the Gold Medal at the Concours International Des Cabernets, was Don Leo Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2013, and it was Mexican. In case the excitement of the winery owners was not enough, their Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2016 also brought home another gold medal.
A stroke of luck? Not at all. In previous occasions, Don Leo had already received gold and silver medals as in the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a highly prestigious competition. That a country like Mexico has won did not take everyone by surprise either. It has become increasingly common for national wine labels to obtain awards of all colors in competitions that validate wine quality. For example, last year we raised our glass to the health of Caipirinha 2016, a wine made for the Brazilian restaurant in Mexico City that bears the same name, when it won “World Revelation Red Wine” at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The blend was crafted in Valle de Guadalupe by another treasure chest producer: the winery El Cielo. Alongside it, in the honor roll, sometimes shines Monte Xanic, sometimes LA Cetto, Altotinto, Puerta del Lobo, and many others.
The best part for us is that the names change and the regions they come from do too. From Parras to Querétaro, from Valle de Guadalupe to Guanajuato, relatively little wine is produced in Mexico but of unbeatable quality. And that Don Leo Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2013 has been crowned as the best cabernet in the world serves as a reminder of this.
Mexican wines have come to become a national pride. Now they too, alongside our cuisine – which is an intangible cultural heritage of humanity according to UNESCO – make living in this country a delight like no other.
Pair a cabernet with these recipes:
Asado de Tira with Balsamic Glaze
Pork Ribs
