Cuban Wine
By now I am sure most of you have heard the joke about Cuban wine:
...Vino por Mariel...
...Vino por balsa...
...Vino por España...
But the truth is there really is a Cuban wine, although it is grown and bottled in Oregon. Years ago I drove past the Cubanismo Vineyards in Oregon during a family road trip traveling up Highway 101, the "Redwood Highway." Even though the vineyard was closed to the public at that moment and we were not able to visit, it gave me great pride to see the seal of Cuba incorporated into their logo and to know that los cubanos están metidos en todos los lugares (Cubans are everywhere).
Founded by a Cuban neurosurgeon, Dr. Mauricio Collada Jr., Cubanisimo Vineyards will be releasing their latest vintage later this year, which Dr. Collada promises will go great with Cuban food.
Cuba isn't known for its wine, but a Cuban neurosurgeon is giving expatriates a taste of something other than rum to fuel their nostalgia.
Mauricio Collada Jr., who came from the island in 1962, has turned a patch of Oregon soil into a vineyard for wines stamped with a Cuban label that is flying off the shelves in Miami, according to an article today in El Nuevo Herald.
Cubanisimo Vineyards is making a Pinot Noir that is said to be the perfect accompaniment to a lechon asado or paella. Bottled in October, the wine will be sold later this year.
The vineyard, which produces 2,000 cases of wine a year -- also makes Pinot gris. Bottles go for between $16 and $30.
"The wine coming out this year has a taste of raspberry and cherry," says Collada. "It has a silky aftertaste and medium body that makes it ideal for Cuban cuisine."
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I love it when Cubans triumph - politics, baseball, literature and the arts - and now in viticulture. However, I have to rain on this parade. I am no wine expert, but I know a little. I ordered this wine about three or four years ago and it is simply not very good. That was not just my assessment; my wine cultured friends and family agreed. I really hope that it has improved over the years because I always support the cubiches. I just wanted to let y'all know before your Cuban pride gets the better of you and you rush out and buy a half case like I did. Buy a bottle and judge for yourself. I truly hope it has improved.
lamayor:
Personally, I am not a fan at all of Pinot Noirs, which is practically the only red wine you get in Oregon. So even if Cubanisimo's wine were judged to be spectacular, I wouldn't like it. Nevertheless, I have had plenty of wines from vineyards, which otherwise were known for mediocre or horrible wine that got lucky one year and produced an excellent wine.
I hope that is the case for Cubanisimo wine.
As a proud Cuban-American, I always go out of my way to help out "my gente". Reading Mauricio Collada's story, I was touched not only because of his achievements as a neurosurgeon, but his ability to do something totally different than what he does professionally. I've grown to be cautious of one-track minded people, and to enjoy the company of those who have multiple hobbies. They are just much more fun to be around. In addition, Mauricio’s winemaking business employs his wife and daughter. There is nothing more wonderful and honorable than providing employment to your loved ones.
I have tried Cubanisimo wines repeatedly in the past, and I found them to be outstanding – especially the Pinot Noir. My wine-connoisseur friends, who are not Cuban, have been just as impressed by these wines as I have. Daughter Cristina Collada also has provided outstanding customer service when arranging the shipment of the wines to Virginia.
I am so impressed by the Collada enterprise that I wear the shirt with the Cubanisimo logo to all kinds of social events. This way, I market the wines and show the world that, when everything is said and done, I am a proud Cubanisimo.
To order your Cubanisimo wines, go to http://www.cubanisimovineyards.com/
[...] Ponce February 6th, 2011 at 10:00 AM As a proud Cuban-American, I always go out of my way to help out “my gente”. Reading [...]