SWG Imports Launches European Arm of Their Portfolio With The Addition Of Elixir...

SWG Imports Launches European Arm of Their Portfolio With The Addition Of Elixir Importer and producer of Latin American wines, SWG Imports, announces the launch of its European portfolio with the creation of the Elixir branch of the business. Elixir’s purpose is to "import European wines of distinction to the United States that enhance our daily lives" relays founder and President, C. Kirk Ermisch. The first wines to come to market under the new portfolio group are two brands from Spain not previously available in the United States. Elixir will now also house the company’s U.S. brokered wine portfolio, which includes Brittan Vineyards from Willamette Valley, Oregon. Ermisch was motivated to expand the portfolio in order to be able to "bring a wider selection of great quality wines to consumers in the United States" and to "complement the superior quality of the brands we already represent". He relays "the wines of Spain are a natural fit for us as a Latin American importer and open the gateway to Europe at the same time" and reiterates "the new portfolio reflects the company's positive business growth and strategic planning for the future”. The Tierras Guindas wines from the D.O. Toro, Ribera del Duero, and Rueda regions and the Fernández Gómez wines from La Rioja D.O.C. will be the first wines to join Elixir. Ermisch became well acquainted with both wineries and their owners/winemakers during a comprehensive road trip through Spain last year. The Tierras Guindas and Fernández Gómez wines represent "the high quality and human connection we have always sought from our producers" and “will form a solid foundation for the remainder of the new portfolio to be launched in 2013-2014”. Both families of wines will be available through SWG Imports' national network of distribution. Considered a pioneer in sourcing high quality, independent wine producers from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Baja California for the United States market, SWG Imports looks forward to introducing American wine drinkers to Elixir's selection of native varieties of Tempranillo, Verdejo, Garnacha, and Garnacha Blanca. Ermisch relays the Tierras Guindas wines offer a "fresh and modern approach to winemaking" that will complement the classic style of the wines of owner/winemaker, Carlos Fernández Gómez. He expects both brands to excel in the on and off-premise markets under the new Elixir arm of the business. Ermisch has been importing and producing wine for over 18 years. In addition to owning and operating the Bodega Calle winery in Mendoza, Argentina and making the Ermisch Family Cellars small-lot production Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley of Oregon, Ermisch is the Executive Producer of the film, "Boom Varietal: the Rise of Argentine Malbec", which documents the past, present, and future of the en vogue grape variety, Malbec, Argentina's most widely recognized wine.

Harvest in Argentina Arpil 11, 2013 The 2013 grape harvest in Argentina is in full force. With about 50% of the total acreage off the vines, vineyard managers...

Harvest in Argentina

Arpil 11, 2013

The 2013 grape harvest in Argentina is in full force. With about 50% of the total acreage off the vines, vineyard managers and winery owners anticipate an excellent vintage. The weather forecast calls for sunny skies, highs in the 70's and cool summer nights in the 50's. Pretty darn near perfect for rounding out the volatile weather that plagued the beginning of the 2013 harvest. Bodega Calle owner and operator, Kirk Ermisch, stresses that "phenolic characteristics are looking excellent with the fruit coming into the winery" and he anticipates that the great weather for the next 15-20 days will make for "good balance among pH, acidity, and sugar levels". Wine Sur reports that yields in the Mendoza growing region have been slightly higher than in past years but growers are pleased with the excellent fruit quality and dry weather forecast for the remainder of harvest which eliminates any worry for mildew problems.

We look forward to tasting the high quality 2013 vintages in the glass!

Signifying the street address of Bodega Calle, Alberti 154 speaks to place....the Luján de Cuyo district North of Mendoza, Argentina is recognized as the primo...

Signifying the street address of Bodega Calle, Alberti 154 speaks to place....the Luján de Cuyo district North of Mendoza, Argentina is recognized as the primo Malbec producing region surrounding Mendoza and the Alberti 154 Malbec is Bodega Calle's flagship wine. Hand harvested grapes from older Perdriel vineyards, the 2011 Alberti 154 is characterized by darker fruit nuances of plum and smoky asian spice. With medium weight tannins and balanced acidity, the 2011 Alberti 154 Malbec is one of the most pleasing vintages to date.