Comments on: Tarija, Bolivia: The Lowdown on Bolivian Wine

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:46:10 +0000

Thanks everyone for your comments and patience. We’ve taken some time off and are re-grouping. Individual responses below.

@Shawn: Jesus was as indeed as friendly as he looked.
Regarding Bolivian wines, they are certainly much simpler (by that I mean, quite a bit less complexity in terms of body, fruit, acid, and tannic balance) than their counterparts in Chile or Argentina. The Argentine wines we’ve sampled so far have proven that out.

I also lived in San Francisco and frequented wineries in both Sonoma and Napa. What you are describing (too many flavors or tastes going on in one bottle) might be a result of aging in various oaks. I don’t think oak aging is inherently good or bad, but it imparts flavor. Whether you enjoy this or not is a function of personal taste.

Regardless, I’d say Bolivian wines are worth a try just so you can taste for yourself.
@Pepe: Indeed. I would look forward to more and higher quality Bolivian wines showing up on shelves around the world.
@Matt: By no means is Bolivia to wine like Napa, France, Australia, South Africa, or Chile/Argentina are. But the point is if you happen to be in the region, it’s definitely worth checking out, particularly since Tarija is such a pleasant place to hang out.
Regarding the FB share icon, we just used the garden variety fbshare.me code for the full-size icon. Our photo pages use the small FB icon.
@Agne: You will. Give it time. Either through your travels…or the wine’s travels.
@Earl: I’d like to know which varietal and brand you saw.
@Julie: Seems you are not alone.
@Blake: Thanks. I don’t think of myself as a wine snob (who does?), but proper sequencing of a wine tasting is important. And drinking quickly and out of shared glasses — that was a little bizarre.

By: Blakesjourney

Blakesjourney — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:48:10 +0000

Cool pictures. I couldn’t imagine doing a rapid speed wine tasting. That kind of defeats the purpose with all those flavors getting mixed together on your pallette.

By: What We’re Reading: December 18, 2009 | Two Go Round-The-World

What We’re Reading: December 18, 2009 | Two Go Round-The-World — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:36:09 +0000

[...] “While the people of Tarija, Bolivia” write Audrey Scott and Daniel Noll “will keep you hanging around, it’s the wine—surprisingly drinkable and made with grapes grown at an elevation of 6,000 feet—that Tarija is best known for.” Check out their post here, foodies. [...]

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:07:11 +0000

Forget the wine; I want Jesus to by my grandpa. What a soulful, kind, gentle looking man he is.

By: Earl

Earl — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:16:18 +0000

I saw a bottle of Bolivian wine in the supermercado here in Mexico last night but didn’t even give it a second look. Next time I’m there I think I’ll give it a try!

By: Agne

Agne — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:12:19 +0000

Nice article I wish I will have a chance to taste any of your described wines someday

Keep tasting!

By: Nomadic Matt

Nomadic Matt — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:41:07 +0000

I never thought of Boliva as a wine place, I guess that is because Argentina or Chile get all the press..interesting article though.

What are you using for your facebook share icon? I have one but it doesn’t display the F like urs does.

By: Pepe

Pepe — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:24:47 +0000

I think Bolivian wines are great, very underrated and are not well known outside Bolivia, even in the local markets which are flooded by chilean and argentinian wines, Bolivian are just starting to apreciate and support the local produce.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:23:10 +0000

I don’t know why, but I love that photo of Jesus. He looks like a great guy.

The part where you described the wines in the hasty tasting as “simple” was interesting. Is that simplicity generally true of Bolivian wines? From living in San Francisco and spending too many weekends in Sonoma/Napa I came to find that I sort of preferred a simpler, calmer wine. Some of them try to get so deep in their flavour that it’s a bit too much. I want a taste I can understand, not a pinata in my mouth. So, I may just have to keep the ole eye open for some Bolivian wines next time I’m in the shops

Really interesting post, thanks!