Cover Story

A fine weekend at ATLAPA

Wine is health!

By Jacob Ehrler

ExpoVino is a yearly wine tasting celebration
ExpoVino is a yearly wine tasting celebration that is attended by tens of thousands of people. It is organized by the Club de Vinos de Panama. The public is invited to attend this weekend at ATLAPA Convention Center. The event is being held in conjunction with the Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects (SPIA) exposition. SPIA is also celebtrating its 50 years of formation.

The ExpoVino inauguration is being held today, Friday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m. (see special cut-out invitation provided on page 5). The exposition is open to the general public on Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Entrance costs $3 and unlimited wine tasting costs $15.

Some 40 wine exhibitors are registered to participate this year as well as restaurants and delicatessens that will be featuring their products. Organizers cite that “combining ExpoVino with ExpoArquitectura is a perfect match because wine and design are signs of culture and globalization.”

For more information visit www.expovino.com

Chef Masoliver’s recommendations

ExpoVino has played a large role increasing the wine culture in Panama
The Visitor spoke with chef Pere “Pedro” Masoliver of Can Masoliver Restaurant in El Cangrejo for some insight on the wide world of wine. Originally from Catalunya, Spain, Pere saw the birth of the Club de Vinos de Panama in 1994 as a founding member. In 1996 the club held the first ExpoVino. Now in its 13th year, ExpoVino has played a large role increasing the wine culture in Panama.

But the increase of wine sales in Panama is not just attributed to the Wine Club and ExpoVino. Doctors and the media have done their bit. Says Pere: The widespread publication by media and medical doctors that “vino es salud” (wine is health) has surely helped. Wine (especially red wine) in moderation bestows numerous health benefits.

Join the Vino Club!

The Club de Vinos de Panama meets regularly to taste wines, enjoy excellent gastronomy and keep up on the wonderful world of wine. Visit www.clubdevinodepanama.com or call 220-8532.

“ExpoVino serves to allow one to form his own criteria about what wine they truly enjoy,” says Pere, “and not have to rely on a third party’s opinion of which wine is worthy.” Pere is most excited about a Chilean wine that will be on sale at the fair, a “coupage” (blend of grape varietals) called Viu U ($85) of the bodega Viu Manent.

For economically priced wines, Pere recommends Reserva Cabernet Sauvignons from the Basque country in Spain or the Chilean Valdivieso and Caballo Loco. “Each wine-producing country has a signature grape,” says Pere, “and though many different varietals are produced in many different places throughout the world, I believe in sticking to to the best of each region.” Here is the quick lesson:

Argentina: Malbec
Australia: Shiraz
Chile: Carmenere
France: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay
Germany: Gewürztraminer
Spain: Tempranillo
Uruguay: Tanat
USA: Cabernet & Zinfandel

What about a grape for Panama? Pere says that perhaps a cross between Carmenere and Tanat that would stand up to lots of heat and lots of water could grow in Panama, though it would have to be in a greenhouse micro-climate, a practice that has been put into use to produce wine in Brazil.