Cheval des Andes winemaker Nicolas Audebert has just launched the latest vintages of his wines – atop an Argentine polo pony.
Audebert was at Ham polo club in south west London to launch the new Cheval des Andes and Terrazas de los Andes wines from the Mendoza, Argentina estate.
Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Torrontes, Reserva Chardonnay, Afincado Malbec, along with the iconic Cheval des Andes 2005 were tasted at the Gaucho restaurant in Ham.
Cheval des Andes is a blend of 50% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Bordeaux-born Audebert works alongside Pierre Lurton of Cheval Blanc and Château d'Yquem, in what he calls a 'blend of Argentine knowledge of terroir, and French expertise.'
Audebert claims to have taken to the national sport of his adopted country.
He told decanter.com. 'Polo is my passion and, of course, an iconic Argentine sport - elegant, dynamic, full of emotion, like our wine.
'We are also fortunate to have a polo pitch on the Cheval des Andes estate, surrounded by the vineyards, looking at the Andes, so launching the 2005 with a game of polo in the UK really does reflect the way of life back home.'
Terrazas de los Andes is owned wholly by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy. Cheval Blanc is joint owned by Bernard Arnault Albert Frere. Cheval des Andes is a joint venture between both.
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