In the wine cellar at Fazenda

A (pretty) safe bet

“People have always drunk French wine in the United Kingdom, which has started making its own wines too. But more importantly, they have long taken an interest in wines from around the world. The market is very dynamic. The English public is well-educated and already knowledgeable about the countries that we showcase – Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay”. Andrea has put her finger on why the restaurant is so successful and constantly packed. Her own robust, technical expertise in these particular wines, currently completing her WSET Level 4 Diploma in wines and a London career that began in an Argentinian restaurant, play their part too.

The perfect pairing

Patrons come to Fazenda for its decor and atmosphere, of course, but even more so for a style of cuisine which lends a modern twist to traditional Pampas food, particularly ‘rodizio’, a continuous table-side style of restaurant service featuring a variety of grilled meats. “I work closely with the chef to design the pairings, either for each dish or a bottle for the entire meal. The classic Malbec, a major grape variety in South America, especially Argentina, makes an incredible partner for red meats. But you can also drink lighter reds made from another typically Argentinian grape variety such as Bonarda or Cabernet Franc.” Whites are also given their rightful place. One of Andrea’s favourite pairings is a glass of Torrontès – Malbec’s iconic white counterpart – with some simple empanadas, the small baked or fried pastries filled with meat or vegetables.

A work in progress

When we chatted with Andrea, her wine list featured just under 190 listings. It has probably grown since then such is the passion for discovery displayed by the Austrian sommelier. “The wine world in South America is a booming marketplace, with increasingly sustainable techniques being used. There are always new regions to be explored and exciting diversity. A cultivar like Malbec doesn’t produce the same wine in Argentina as it does in Chile. Brazilian wine is also improving rapidly due to the mountain vineyards or coastal Atlantic sites. I would so love to have more time to travel!”

Glasses that dance the tango

Argentina also has a special place in Andrea’s heart, as it does in the hearts of the English – the Falkland’s war was a long time ago. Argentinean wines feature on every restaurant wine list – at Fazenda they account for nearly half the listings. “I was lucky enough to travel to Argentina. One particularly fond memory is a visit to Catena Zapata, one of the most influencal wineries in Argentina and South America which was founded at the turn of the 20th century. It’s amazing”. 

The art of storing wine

To store her precious bottles, Andrea has five, temperature-controlled EuroCave wine cabinets – one for sparkling wines, two for serving where the reds and whites are stored separately, and two for laying down. “They are absolutely beautiful, but more importantly, they’re very useful, particularly for the age-worthy wines which can be fantastic in South America. I have great memories of three wines at Catena Zapata – a 1994 Malbec, a 1999 Chardonnay and a 2004 blend called Nicolas Catena Zapata, one of their icons".