world Archives - Amanda Barnes

Today marks 20 years since the discovery of Chile’s flagship variety, Carmenere. On 24 November 1994 Jean-Marie Boursiquot discovered that some vineyards in Chile – which were previously believed to be Merlot – were in fact Carmenere.The rediscovery of the variety is an important one, not just for Chile but for the world of wine as it was thought to have been lost for good. One of the oldest noble varieties, known as the ‘grandfather’ of Bordeaux varieties, Carmenere was historically a popular variety in France, especially in Bordeaux. In the mid 19th century however, it was all but lost as phylloxera destroyed the vines. Carmenere is particularly susceptible to the disease and was not easily grafted or replanted post-phylloxera, disappearing into obscurity.

The empanada. An essential for any peckish backpacker, lazy party food contributor and Argentine restaurant menu. A simple, stuffed savory pastry that looks innocent enough but carries within its golden pouch one of the longest and richest culinary histories.

Where did the empanada come from? We immediately make the assumption by its name it comes from Spain. But there is a longer trail of empanada crumbs to follow…

This bundle of warm comfort can be traced back to Persia in the ninth century, where a poet first wrote in praise of the sanbusaj: a stuffed, savoury pastry that was becoming popular across the Persian, Arab and Turkish foodie circles, and most likely originated in what we’d consider ancient Iraq. Filled with meat, onions and sometimes raisins the sanbusak would come pastry wrapped in a triangle or a half moon. Sound familiar? The sanbusak is earliest traced ancestor of the empanada.