Susana Balbo

I had a winemaker in town a few weeks back.  Not just any winemaker, but THE winemaker from Argentina.  People who know the wine industry in Argentina might say (arguably true) that all roads somehow lead back to Catena, or Rutini, or Lurton.... but today, one of the most famous and well-known winemakers is Susana Balbo.  I had the great pleasure of having her in the market with me, 1 day in Asheville NC, and 2 days in Atlanta GA.

Let me tell you, she is a force.  With a soft voice, a very girlish and stylish demeanor, beautiful curly locks of hair, and a rather unassuming presence, this woman is a ROCK STAR.  Her power and presence precede her, and she follows up with a wealth of knowledge and a quiet determination that no-doubt got her to where she is today, despite her chauvinistic colleagues.

We met in Asheville, and began our day with a key-buyer luncheon.  We were all behaving, spitting more wine than swallowing, and then she did something extremely funny.  She went to dump her wine to move on to the next bottle and instead of dumping it into the dump bucket, she dumped it into the candle holder.  I tried not to, but I laughed out loud.  Here we are, this group of professionals, and she committed the first faux pas.  Hilarious!  Fortunately, she laughed too, and decided not to tell anyone.

We did a dinner that night that was extremely lucrative - almost 20 cases of wine sold!  More interesting was the venue - a beautiful outdoor patio with enough room to seat 60 - and we had so much
food...



Here is the menu:



Empanadas, Bread, cured meats, olives

Sweetbreads & chorizo

Chorizo
Mollejas (sweetbreads)
Parrillada Mixta (mixed grilled meats - filet, sirloin, flank)
Asado de Tira (Short Rib)
Bife de Chorizo (NY Strip)
Lomo (Filet Mignon)
Lentil Salad
Papas Fritas
Tomato salad
Homemade Flan

Salads and NY Strip

I don't know.... meat again

The company was wonderful, the weather was perfect, and you truly couldn't have planned for a better feast - well maybe run 10 miles before hand.... but truly, an awesome experience.  I just don't really eat meat... too bad I couldn't get a doggy bag!

Here is Ms Balbo talking to the diners:

I was sitting next to a woman who had a very funny name.  I didn't really figure it out until the end of the evening, and since she bought a case of wine, I had to stifle my juvenile snickers until she and her friends left....  Sometimes I am so fourth grade.