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Malbec ~“You had me at Malbec” Malbec is a purple grape variety used in making red wine. These luscious grapes tend to have an inky dark color abounding in robust tannins. They are one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. Malbec can be consumed alone as a varietal or used in blends such as Bordeaux, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Malbec wine is a deep purple-red that is nearly opaque, but it will often have a bright magenta rim. While Malbec is predominantly known as a red wine, there is a popular rosé variety, which is crisp, fresh, and floral in flavor. It is perfectly paired with empanadas and a juicy steak off the grill.
I fell in love with this sultry varietal on a clear night in Recoleta, Buenos Aires. The deep blue sky appeared almost purple-black with silver stars studding the sky. Lavender-rose Clytostoma callistegioides, Argentine Trumpet Vines, with their pale yellow throats gracefully inched their way across the pergola over the patio. Perched on this 6th-floor balcony, the magnificent skyscrapers in the Puerto Madero barrio looked like grey goliaths except for a few lights twinkling in the distance of those who were still at work. I loved the way these departamentos were thoughtfully constructed so that each balcony was private, perfect for the small twilight gatherings which were universal throughout Buenos Aries barrios.
Although it was unseasonably warm and balmy on this summer evening in Buenos Aires, there was a welcome breeze; the palm trees danced gently under the influence of the winds, brushing their fronds together creating a musical sound, like that of water splashing in a fountain. Yes, all nature seemed to be raising a song of thankfulness for the shadow of the curtain of night. Music wafted through the air, a combination of tango and cumbia caressing our ears, signaling it was time for relaxation and another glass of wine. This time it was something I’d never tried, a wine my hostess called Malbec. Having been in Argentina for less than a week, I’d seen Malbecs on menus at local eateries but had opted for a more well-known to me, Tempranillo. I was delighted to be able to sample several Malbecs under the informed counsel of my hostess. The medium-bodied wine had a provocative aroma of black cherry, blueberry, and plum tinged with hints of cedar, leather, and smoke. Its taste, bold, lush, fruity with a hint of spice. Throughout my summers in Argentina, my love affair with this exquisite wine grew and I would, now, consider it one of my most adored red wines. One of the things I like about Malbecs is that they aren’t as intimidating as other red wines and it is much easier for the wine novice to randomly choose a Malbec that will delight their senses.
Though Malbec originated in Europe, the grape emigrated to South America, finding a permanent home in Argentina. Today, Argentina is home to roughly 70% of the world’s Malbec vineyards. Malbec has become synonymous with this beautiful, richly cultured country, and Argentina has become synonymous with this lush, fruity wine.
Like many things in Argentina's tumultuous history, Malbec's rise to stardom was a journey full of unpredictability and struggle. Malbec first alighted in Argentina in the 19th century. A visionary, later to become president, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento took an interest in grapes, having grown up in San Juan’s vine country. Sarmiento asked French grape specialist Miguel Pouget to bring French grapevine cuttings to Argentina. Among others, Pouget brought Malbec, an act that forever changed Argentina’s destiny.
By the early 20th century, Malbec had established a foothold in Argentina’s wine industry. The country’s arid, warm climate allowed Malbec to thrive. During the mid-1950s, Malbec was the most widely planted fine red varietal in Mendoza, a region well-known for its myriad of wineries. Sadly, during the military years in the 1970s, the country was in a financial crisis that created a demand for less expensive table wines. As a result, thousands of Malbec vines were pulled, though 35,000 acres remained, some of these vines being almost 90 years old.
Today, Mendoza, San Juan, and Salta are considered the three main wine-growing regions, though most Malbec consumers are most familiar with Malbec from the Mendoza region. Mendoza’s hot and dry climate moderated by elevation and the Andes Mountains, allows Malbec to thrive.
Malbec, like the culture of Argentina, has many faces. The grape, however, reflects the best of the country’s personality, the sensual tango, the rough-and-tumble sport of football (soccer), the sumptuous hand-pinched empanadas, and the social open-fire barbecues called asado.
If you’ve never tried this delectable wine, you should give it a taste. There are many options for approximately $20 that are available in the United States, with some being sold at grocery stores such as Publix. Some of these include Catena Malbec, Pascual Toso Malbec Mendoza, Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec, and Alamos Selección Malbec. If you do not mind a little splurge, the following are wonderful choices: 2018 Colomé Autentico Malbec Valle Calchaquí, Salta ($40), 2018 Pascual Toso "Alta" Malbec Barrancas Vineyards, Mendoza ($50), 2015 Tapiz "Black Tears" Malbec San Pablo Vineyard, Uco Valley ($50), and 2019 Zuccardi "Concreto" Malbec Paraje Altamira, Mendoza ($40). My favorite of the Malbecs mentioned is the 2019 Zuccardi "Concreto" Malbec Paraje Altamira, Mendoza because it has been reliably delicious every time I've tasted it. According to Food & Wine, this Malbec is “[p]ure and mineral, fleshed out with brambly berries, plum pits, and a hint of chamomile, and framed by tea-like tannins that are structuring yet not overwhelming in the least.” Think of wild blackberry (or other berry) flavors mingling with a vegetal, green or spicy, peppery undertone or a slight wood note.
If you’ve read this far, thanks for reading and go try some Malbec!
Tango “A tango is a sad thought that dances.” ~Enrique Santos Discépolo I became fascinated with the culture, art, and dance endemic to Argentina after spending a summer there in 2009. In the best way possible, my life was forever changed by Argentina’s culture, cuisine, art, and history.
My love for Argentina and its energetic, rich, flavorful, and aesthetic atmosphere only grew over the three summers I spent there. One of the things that my tour guide insisted upon was that I take Tango lessons. He expressed that a person should not come to Argentina without experiencing the Tango themselves. He explained that watching the Tango performed was a wholly different experience than feeling Tango in la alma. Having a long history of all types of dance, I was game and playfully asked my delightful tour guide if he would be my partner. He indicated that he would be happy to be my partner and we embarked upon a journey I would never forget.
When you think of Tango, what comes to mind first? Passion? Drama? Romance? Sex? Whatever it is, it is usually emotional, primal, and stirring of your senses. Tango never elicits a ho-hum response because there is nothing mundane or humdrum about it – it is a living and breathing feeling, à deux, that is danced. Tango invites you into an embrace whose arms you never want to leave. It is a dance of intertwined bodies engaged in a dialogue of limbs, which caress the floor and each other, creating a moving seduction. Tango is language evolved.
Tango's Rich History
Tango, the music and the dance, has a complex history, the details of which vary depending on to whom you read or listen. Its development parallels Argentina and Uruguay's social and economic growth, particularly the area of Rio de la Plata and its triangle of Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Montevideo. Its roots date back to the 1870s when enslaved black people danced a version of it to the fused rhythms of Habanera (Cuban) and Candombe (Afro-Uruguayan) music. At that time, Tango was raw and sexual in its danced form, borrowing its style from the stance of the compadritos and their deft use of the knife and the gaucho of the pampa; it was an entanglement of limbs representing the sexual encounter. The dance started between men and then moved to brothels, where women danced it to attract customers. It was the dance of the poor, the underprivileged, and the marginalized, danced in the periphery of the cities and not accepted in high society.
The European immigration wave to Argentina in the 1880s and the generation they spawned changed Tango into a smoother dance but retained its sensuality and added a nostalgic sensibility. The immigrants were mostly men who had come to seek their fortune alone and without family. They came from Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, and Greece and settled in the orillas or outskirts of Buenos Aires. Many early songs reflect their nostalgia – speaking of love, loneliness, hardship, and unfulfilled dreams. The music was based on movable instruments – guitar, violin, harp, and flute – and later incorporated the piano and the Argentine bandoneon.
Despite its increased popularity, Tango remained controversial among Argentine society, where it continued to be viewed as a prohibited dance. It was the young men of the upper classes visiting houses of ill repute and learning to dance the Tango there who exported it to Paris, along with some of the South American artists and musicians of the time. Tango caused a furor among the elite in Paris and was immediately assimilated, undergoing yet another transformation. It returned to Argentina around 1910 as a legitimate genre and a stylish and polished dance. The music of Tango changed with La Guardia Nueva, incorporating a poetic sensibility and ushering in a new sound – Tango Triste – which spoke of unrequited love.
Tango became the primary way of socializing and getting together with the opposite sex in its heyday, a form of social entertainment that often led to people coupling up. Argentina was thriving economically and industrially, which was evident in the country's mood. People wanted to dance. Orchestras and milongas, or dances, sprung up throughout the city and its outskirts. Two styles of Tango emerged from this period: The downtown, or milonguero style, and the salon style. The downtown evolved within the rich culture of Buenos Aires, where people danced nightly and with different partners, adapting to the small spaces by tightening and closing the embrace. The focus was also on musicality and bodily communication. The salon style was danced on the city's periphery and was a weekend affair. It was danced in larger spaces and these social gatherings were attended by couples that mainly danced with each other and focused on choreography. Some have called this period of time "the big love affair" to signify the encounter of the sexes through Tango and a celebration of Argentina's prosperity.
Due to the numerous military coups that are part of Argentina's political history, the atmosphere of prosperity changed. The change of atmosphere, coupled with the popularity of rock and roll, which reached the Argentine youth distancing them from the Tango of their parents and grandparents, dealt Tango a near-fatal blow. Tango almost disappeared in the early 1980s, as an entire generation lost contact with its roots and history. Orchestras disbanded and became octets or quintets, and many milongas closed down. It was the music of Tango, particularly as revolutionized through the works of Astor Piazzola, that re-ignited an interest in the dance. Despite not being meant to be danced to, Piazzola's music is credited with keeping Tango alive.
In the early 1990s, various staged productions, such as Tango Argentino and Tango Mania, re-established Tango to its previous glory. These staged productions gained international attention through their dramatic shows and choreography. Today a new group of artists attracts worldwide interest in Tango. Modern Tango is characterized by complex and highly stylized choreography that focuses on musicality and elaboration of individual phrases and notes within the music. Both the music and the dance of Tango have evolved and created another alternative style – Tango Nuevo – which has a contemporary aesthetic and a modern technique while retaining a respect for history and tradition.
But there is truly only one Tango – that dance of entwined limbs in conversation; its magic lies in its ability to convey universal emotions in music and dance. Tango seems to regenerate itself through time by adapting itself to the city, country, and people that dance it. It speaks an emotional language that is basic to all of us yet reflects the sensibilities and aesthetics of each generation. So while Tango is deeply Argentinian at its core, it is danced seriously worldwide. It unites all of us at the level of emotion and physicality.
El Tango te espera. Tango awaits you. It waits for the moment when its passion awakens you and you are forever held in its embrace in an ongoing love affair.
I have a few profiles here, but you likely know me best as Theodora.
A Little About Me
Within these profiles of mine, you will not find many details about my personal life. There are some exceptions and I have posted more details about my life on certain profiles. I have also published some original text that I have written for various reasons. Why do I not choose to post many details about my life? That is simple. First, most of you are just scrolling by and probably will not take the time to read this far. :-) Second, I am a private person and choose, very carefully, with whom I share my life. If you get to know me, you may find I choose to share with you. I am just an introvert who finds it extremely hard to trust. Most people who know me off the site or who know me on other profiles think I must be kidding when I tell them I am an introvert, however, I assure you, this is a true statement. My job and hobbies, combined with the fact that my family moved frequently when I was a child, forced me out of my comfort zone long enough that I have become, what I call, a situational extrovert. This is someone who does well around groups of people or at parties, but it makes them extremely nervous prior to the gathering. Situational extroverts will enjoy themselves thoroughly after they get settled at the gathering, however, will need some alone downtime after the event to recoup and rest. I have also been told that I am a genuinely kind person. I will add that I am a natural redhead and do have a bit of a temper at times. Over the years, I have mellowed and now keep most of my thoughts to myself.
I feel that my coding and graphics skills have improved tremendously since I coded my first profile, Theodora. My newest profiles do not follow a specific theme throughout but are each based on their own theme. I did recently code a profile that was in the theme of my Coven, Letchworth. My profile's themes represent different facets of my personality, things or stories that I enjoy, and graphics and color schemes that I find pleasing to the eye. I enjoy coding as an expression of my more creative side, which is one of the reasons that I have several profiles. Another reason I have multiple profiles is that people tend to give them to me, especially if they are profiles that are housed in my Coven. I am not a frequent name changer or regular profile redesigner; once I get a profile the way that I like it, it stays that way. It usually takes me hours on multiple days to get a profile the way I like it. This is one reason that I ask people not to rate the profile until work on it has been completed.
Because my life off VR is of a very serious nature, you will find me to be quite silly at times, often joking. I am also quite perverse and have never met a dirty joke I did not like. Although I am extremely difficult to offend, I do offer a few boundaries that I take seriously. I expect to be treated with respect. If you respect me, I will respect you. If you disrespect me, I will not disrespect you in return. I am unlikely to speak to you any further. I do not tolerate silly shenanigans, whining or drama. You will often see this sentiment expressed on many VR profiles, many times on profiles of those who are on the top of the negative honor list.
Boundaries
Yes, I said the "B" word - BOUNDARIES. I wish to make myself unquestionably clear on this issue. If you bring your drama here to my temporary escape from the world or to my Coven sanctuary, you will be blocked and blinded if you are in my Coven. There will be no discussion. If, after some time has passed, you have adjusted your behavior, you may message me on either of my main profiles, Theodora or MalumInSe, and request that you be unblocked or unblinded. I will ask you what you have done to ameliorate your behavior. I tell you this in advance so that you may be prepared with an answer.
Please, do not flirt with me if you are in a relationship even if it is a strictly online relationship. I cannot stand cheaters. It is not cute or amusing and I consider that drama as well.
Please do not message me and simply say "hi." I generally do not respond to non-substantive messages. Who has time for that nonsense? I also do not respond to requests to be turned into a vampire of any other such silliness.
My Rating Approach
My rating approach has changed over the years. I generally rate everyone who has at least attempted to do something to their profile, a 10. Not everyone is a coder by profession or has the equipment and software to elaborately code a profile. I always take that into consideration when I rate. I am also not a “revenge rater.” If you give me a 5, but I like your profile, you will get a 10 from me. I hope that you will consider the time and effort that I put into this profile prior to rating it. Each of my profiles is individually crafted and although I may borrow some text from another profile, such as information about my rating approach, each profile is unique. Everything I have learned regarding coding and creating graphics is self-taught, with some occasional help from a few dear friends.
In Closing
Please feel free to add me, add my journal and/or stalk me. After all, we all need a little help with bonuses. Just message me so I can make sure to return the kind favor. Thanks for visiting my profile. I hope you enjoyed your stay.
I had to apply some security updates. I needed to take the site down for a few hours to complete everything. I did it in the middle of the night.. When hopefully, most of you wouldn't notice :)
