4 Welcome
Great Minds Think Alike!
“
Show your passion tonight and enjoy watching a little excellence and history occur before your very eyes”
yEAR AfTER A sUCCEssfUL REsTAURANT OPENING IN The O2 (March 2008), my CEO Zeev Godik suggested to me that we should think about creating a polo event inside the arena. The same month, I sat at a very wet Beach Polo Championships with HPA Chairman Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers and his wife Annie, who in the miserable drizzle, wistfully announced a gem of an idea – that we create a similar event in an indoor setting. so here we are: in our second year of The HPA Gaucho International Polo. This year we have strengthened our partnership with the sport’s governing body, the HPA (Hurlingham Polo Association), to make the event faster, more understandable and hopefully even more of an excellent spectacle for you to enjoy. We have also endeavoured to bring you the finest in Argentine culture - as well as outstanding polo played by the sports finest arena players. We have a complimentary Argentine Wine Tasting Lounge, and the finest in Argentine music from Grammy award-winning collective Bajofondo, supported by Nelson and fede (our house DJ and Percussionist), whom we discovered on the beach at Punte del Este. The event wouldn’t have been possible without the support and input of many people, who all know who they are and to whom I will be forever indebted; none less than The HPA, AEG, our sponsors and all involved in the production of the event. A special thank you is warranted to the four sponsors who back in 2011 were the first to raise their hands to support and share the risk in this year’s event: Lawson Muncaster and City AM, Tim Hughes at IG INDEX, Andrew Maidment from Wines of Argentina and Cory soutar at Veuve Clicquot – thank you chaps, this is your event and I hope that you enjoy it! The Gaucho spirit is one of passion for excellence, so whether supporting Argentina, England, scotland or Ireland, please feel free to show your passion tonight and enjoy watching a little excellence and history occur before your eyes... and then nip back into Gaucho or indigO2 to continue the party! Have a great evening!
Martin Williams Operations Director Gaucho
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
SOME GAUCHOS PREFER A MORE EXHILARATING RIDE Available for private charter, cocktail parties and dining experiences For all hospitality and ticket information please contact matt.ford@gauchorestaurants.com gauchorestaurants.com
6 Contents
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Contents Details 4 Welcome 8 Sponsors 10 Map & Timings
Teams 18 20 22 24
England Team Profile Argentina Team Profile Ireland Team Profile Scotland Team Profile
44 Master of Ceremonies The two sides of Nacho Figueras 47 Trophy-Tastic More than just mantelpiece ornaments 48 Hot to Trot How white jeans combine style and charity 51 Electro Tango Bajofondo light up the stage
Features
52 Buenos Aires Style Lifting the lid on afterparty glamour
13 Polo For Dummies A beginner’s guide to the game
55 Argentinian Flavour Our top ten Argentinian wines
17 Spotlight on the HPA About the governing body
59 Three of the Best A trio of excellent Argentinian wineries
27 Behind the Scenes Creating this spectacular event
60 Seeing Red Wines of Argentina’s premier producers
28 Polo Around the World How the sport is played across the globe
64 From the Pampas to the Plate Gaucho’s succulent steak selection
31 Premier Polo All Year Round Highlights of the 2012 polo calendar
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
Published by:
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8 Details
Thanks to our
Event Sponsor
Event Sponsor
HPA
cITy AM
Team Sponsors
Welbeck
IG Index
MeRcHAnT HUb
AUcHenTOSHAn
Official Sponsors
VeUVe clIcqUOT
TAnqUeRAy GIn
MAnTIS
qUIlMeS
MARTIn cOllInS
POlISTAS
WIneS Of ARGenTInA
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Precision, Precision, passion, passion, unrivaled unrivaled partnership partnership
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venue nt A e inm ta r e nt
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10 Details
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West Entrance
Pony Lines
Stage
indigO2 Players After Party & Veuve Clicquot Lounge
Wines Of Argentina Tasting Lounge
C
O2 Order of Play: 5.30pm
The o2 arena opens for General Admission tickets Wines of Argentina Tasting Village is available within The O2 arena for all General Admission tickets and corporate guests
6.30pm
DJ and in-house entertainment starts within The O2 arena
7.00pm
Bajofondo Remixed live set
7.15 pm
1st Polo Match - Welbeck Team Ireland v Auchentoshan Team Scotland
8.15pm
Bajofondo Remixed live set
8.30pm 2nd Polo Match - IG Index Team England v Merchant Hub Team Argentina 9.30pm
Team Presentations & final Bajofondo Remixed live set
9.45pm
Official Gaucho International Polo 2012 afterparties begin
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Entertai nme nt A ve nu e
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Gaucho Corporate Hospitality
in Ma nce r ta En
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Feature 13
Polo novice, ALICE TOzER, takes a crash course in polo basics for the innocent and shares her fondest findings
Reasons To Like Polo: 1, 2, 3
Polo is trying to shake off its posh-boy associations. In all fairness, it does have very humble beginnings. “Hockey on horseback” was the not-so-glam description originally given to the pursuit of driving a small ball into an opposing team’s goal whilst clutching a long-handled mallet, all the while gaining momentum on a toned equestrian beast. That was back when the game was first played in England in 1869. Word had spread westwards after British tea planters set up the first polo club on the BurmeseIndian border. They’d seen it played in
India, where it had travelled from ancient Persia. What epic beginnings! The game’s come a long way still since. The predominant polo-playing nations are Brazil, Argentina, Chile, the Unites States, England, Mexico, Australia, Spain, France and Switzerland (snow polo central). This dangerous sport is appreciated in 80 countries worldwide. Polo trivia has a great claim to fame. In the same year that polo was introduced to Australia – 1878 – James Gordon Bennett Junior got the Americans in on the act, having seen the game whilst on a visit to Hurlingham in England. That same Gordon Bennett is one of two suspects
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
in the coining of that same term of exclamation; the other being his father. Sadly, though, no one still really knows exactly how the saying came to stick.
Sticking To The Rules
People say polo’s a simple game to follow; that it has few rules and that this makes it fast-flowing. An initial glance at the Arena Polo rulebook written by governing body, the Hurlingham Polo Association, would suggest otherwise; convoluted rules on ‘positioning’ and three diagrams later and I’ve been drawn towards some of the more colourful facts: riders must wear a
© Mark Beaumont
Feature 14 Feature 13
chin strap to their helmet; may not play under the influence of stimulative drugs and may not use horses that are blind in one eye. The horses’ welfare is officially top priority; players must bandage all four of the horse’s legs, or put him in boots for protection. For all the minutiae that may exist, on a surface level it seems easy enough for us laypeople to get the gist. A game is split into ‘chukkas’. Four of these comprise a game, and each chukka (what a great word) lasts seven-and-a-half minutes. Players may alternate between two ponies, changing every chukka. Half time lasts just five-and-a-half-minutes. Things can get a little confusing, owing to the speed of it all. After each goal, the teams change ends, for instance. You will need to turn off your iPhone and get in the zone if you want to stand a hope in hell of knowing what’s going on. Polo players usually have handicaps
which (in the words of Ham Polo club), “enables the brilliant to play with the hopeless.” Not that that’s relevant to this evening’s quality line-up. What is, though, is that it’s arena polo, as opposed to the ‘field’ stuff. This means erecting walls 5 feet tall. The ball’s larger than the outdoor version and is made so as to make for a particularly ‘hard and lively’ object. In arena polo, you have three in a team, not four.
All Decked Out
What of the kit, then? As will be blatantly obvious when the boys come out to play, they wear a helmet, goggles, boots and knee guards and all these are obligatory. Gloves aren’t compulsory, but most wear them to get a good handle on the mallet. As far as I can tell, the mallet is by far the most exciting member of the equipment list. A lot of love goes into these glorified
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
hunks of wood, which are custom-made for the player, usually using resilient manau cane (some exotic palm also used in archery bows). Each player strikes their preferred balance when combining their cane with their mallet head, which they choose for weight and length. Polo horses are referred to as ‘ponies’ but they are not, in fact, ponies. The term has stuck from the days when polo horses did indeed have to be ponies, at 14 hands tall maximum. This rule was abolished after the First World War. Foul play boils down to bad mallet ‘hooking’ (for example, deliberately knocking the horse), ‘crossing’ and ‘engaging’. Basically, dangerous moves aren’t okay. But you’ve got umpires blowing whistles to make that one clear. Homework done. Time to benefit from the Argentinian wine on offer, and brace yourself for some very serious horsing around.
Feature 17
T
HE HPA sTANds fOR THE Hurlingham Polo Association and it is the governing body for polo in the UK, Ireland and many Commonwealth countries. It has its equivalent in the Us in the United states Polo Association, and in Argentina in the Asociación Argentina de Polo. One of the first polo matches to be played in England was at Hurlingham in 1874, so it fell on the shoulders of this part of London to oversee the drawing up of a few English polo rules. In 1925, the Hurlingham Polo Association, as it is called today, was coined. However, not long after, at the outbreak of the second World War, the polo scene was seriously disrupted. Hurlingham’s grounds were turned over for agricultural use, and then built on. The sport was resurrected in 1952, with the HPA then being based at Cowdray. Whilst rule-making and allocating handicaps to its members are the main remits of the HPA, it does a lot of work to promote polo too. The HPA website (www.hpa-polo.co.uk) is a clear indication
of the body’s determination to make polo more accessible to all. There are some fantastic three-year HPA-funded bursaries to Argentina for potential or current England squad players. It is hoped these will increase the likelihood of English players getting places in high goal teams. Polo is not a contested Olympic sport these days (it was for the first couple of decades of the 1900s), though it is recognised by the International Olympic
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
Committee. Essentially, this means it could apply for inclusion in future games (as can netball, chess and cricket, say). Individuals who are full-playing members of one of the 50-something clubs in the UK or Ireland are automatically associate members of the HPA. In 2011, there were more than 3,030 members registered with the HPA. That’s a big leap from even the year 2000, when the stats weighed in at 1,905 members.
IG INDEX
Team Playing on home turf, this is the triumvirate who will undoubtedly have the greatest cheer to spur them. They come head-to-head with old-time rivals, the Argentines, in an epic contest for their country for the Churchill Cup…
Capt.
1. Jamie Morrison
2. Gavin Turner
3. Maurice Ormerod
NickName: Morro BorN: 13/08/1976 areNa HaNDicaP: 8 LocaL cLuB: The Royal County of
NickName: GT BorN: 26/10/1974 areNa HaNDicaP: 4 LocaL cLuB: The Royal County of
NickName: May-Rod BorN: 1/11/1986 areNa HaNDicaP: 5 LocaL cLuBs: Druids Lodge Polo Club
Berkshire Polo Club
Berkshire Polo Club
and Cowdray Park Polo Club
career HigHLigHts: Arena Gold Cup
career HigHLigHts: England Tour of
PoLo amBitioN: “To play the Gold
2010; International Test Match 2010 PoLo amBitioN: “To keep playing for as long as possible and to keep enjoying the sport” game streNgtH: Big hitter PoNies owNeD: 12 Favourite PoNy: Twiggy toP PLace to PLay: RCBPC on Ground One
South Africa October 2009; China Open October 2011 PoLo amBitioN: “To keep improving and maximise my potential as a player” game streNgtH: Good at marking and in defence in general. As they say in polo, ‘good with the man’. toP PLaces to PLay: Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park
Cup with pony club peers and to play snow polo” game streNgtH: Fast in straight lines when going to goal PoNies owNeD: 8 Favourite PoNy: Remolacha (Spanish for ‘beetroot’) toP PLace to PLay: San Cristobal, Chile
Best Bit aBout gaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “It’s an honour
Best Bit aBout gaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “The venue
to play in such a unique venue”
is fantastic”
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
Best Bit aBout gaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “It’s a great
opportunity to bring arena polo to the masses”
Teams 19
“
Gaucho International Polo is a great opportunity to bring arena polo to the masses�
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
MERCHANT HUB
Team Plucked from the pampas are three of Argentina’s fieriest polo pros. The pressure will be mounting on the shoulders of these international athletes, whose country remains synonymous with the sport…
Capt.
1. Nacho Figueras
4. Oscar Mancini
3. Juan Leiva
NickName: Nacho (his real name
NickName: Oscarcito BorN: 26/06/1974 areNa HaNDicaP: 6 LocaL cLuBs: The Royal County of
NickName: Chino BorN: 10/4/75 areNa HaNDicaP: 4 LocaL cLuB: Guards Polo Club, Windsor
Berkshire Polo Club and Ranelagh career HiGHLiGHts: Playing on Ground One at Palermo – “a dream for any polo player”; Snow polo in St Moritz PoLo amBitioN: “To play on only my homebred horses” Game streNGtH: “I never give up!” PoNies oWNeD: 80 toP PLaces to PLay: Ranelagh Farm and Sotogrande
Great Park
is Ignacio) BorN: 04/03/1977 areNa HaNDicaP: 7 LocaL cLuB: Bridgehampton, New York PoLo amBitioN: “To bring polo to the
world a little more” Game streNGtH: Team player, goal
scorer PoNies oWNeD: Between 250 and 300, spread across the UK, the US and Argentina. ‘I’m like Carrie Bradshaw and shoes’, he once said to the Evening Standard. toP PLace to PLay: Argentina Best Bit aBout GaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “It’s great to be
able to bring polo to a wide audience”
Best Bit aBout GaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “I can’t wait
for the opportunity to take revenge on England and reclaim the Churchill Cup!”
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
career HiGHLiGHt: Winning Guards Polo Club’s Autumn Nations Tournament in 2009 PoLo amBitioN: “To keep on improving and to play for Argentina” Game streNGtH: Plays classic polo, clean lines toP PLace to PLay: Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club; “amazing grounds for open polo” Best Bit aBout GaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “Gaucho is
so quintessentially Argentine”
Teams 21
“
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
I can’t wait for the opportunity to take revenge on Team England and reclaim the Churchill Cup!”
WeLbeck GRouP
Team Ireland has a polo history mirroring England’s, both countries having brought the game back from India almost 150 years ago via the British Army. There will be no combined efforts in today’s event though. Here are three of Ireland’s finest…
Capt.
1. Sebastian Dawnay
2. Richard Le Poer
3. Siobhan Herbst
NickName: Sebbie BorN: 03/10/1975 areNa HaNDicaP: 8 LocaL cLuB: The Royal County of
NickName: Dicky Three Names BorN: 19/08/1987 areNa HaNDicaP: 6 LocaL cLuB: Cowdray Park Polo Club career HigHLigHts: Winning ‘Most
NickNames: Shiv, Shivi or Tim (as in
Berkshire Polo Club career HigHLigHts: Winning the Arena Gold Cup 5 times PoLo amBitioN: ”To keep doing what I’m doing and to enjoy the game” game streNgtHs: Play maker, goal scorer, team player PoNies owNeD: 21 Favourite PoNies: Madgin and my own breed, Tick Tack toP PLace to PLay: Costa Careyes, Mexico Best Bit aBout gaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “The idea that
it will be the first time that some of the audience have seen arena polo is amazing”
Valuable Young English Player 2011’; reaching the final of The Queen’s Cup PoLo amBitioN: “To reach eight goals and to be the best mounted English player ever” game streNgtH: Quick, tough, skilful, always gives 100%, likes to be a playmaker Favourite PoNy: Cheeky Monkey toP PLaces to PLay: Cowdray Park and Plettenburg Bay, South Africa Best Bit aBout gaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “Showing the
world how great a sport polo is,` and that it is accessible to anyone, from any walk of life”
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
‘shiver me timbers’) BorN: 01/02/1982 areNa HaNDicaP: 3 LocaL cLuB: Polo Wicklow career HigHLigHts: Playing in the
Ellerstina Gold Cup in 2009 career amBitioN: “To be as good as I can be and to encourage as many new players into the sport as possible” game streNgtH: “I’m a team player” Favourite PoNies: Pastora and Winnie toP PLaces to PLay: Wolfgang Kailing’s field in Maspe, Hannover in Germany. Also in Newport, Rhode Island; “we play there every year in front of a big crowd, which is always an adrenaline rush.” Best Bit aBout gaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “Everything that
promotes polo − you gotta love it”
Teams 23
“
The experience of playing in The O2 shows the world how great a sport polo is and that it is accessible to anyone”
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
AUCHENTOSHAN
Team Scotland might not be immediately associated with polo, but the country in fact possesses three key clubs. Today’s team will be wanting to give the Irish boys a run for their money. Taking to the saddle are…
Capt.
1. Jamie Le Hardy
2. Howard Smith
3. George McCorkell
NickName: Jamie Le Love BorN: 20/5/74 areNa HaNDicaP: 7 LocaL cLuB: Burningfold career HigHLigHts: Gold Cup,
NickName: Smithy BorN: 27/12/71 areNa HaNDicaP: 6 LocaL cLuBs: The Royal County of
BorN: 16/1/89 LocaL cLuB: Kirtlington Park Polo Club areNa HaNDicaP: 4 career HigHLigHt: Playing elephant
Berkshire Polo Club and Guards Polo Club
polo in Thailand
Arena Gold Cup, Polo Masters game streNgtH: A team player, hard but fair PoNies owNeD: 18 Favourite PoNies: Cassia, Paulita toP PLace to PLay: Barbados. Polo is played to a high level on the Caribbean island, with several first-class matches between the Barbados team and visiting international teams throughout the year.
career HigHLigHts: Winning The
PoLo amBitioN: “To get to four goals” game streNgtH: A style of play similar
Best Bit aBout gaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “It’s a fantastic
arena and a great atmosphere”
Arena Gold Cup PoLo amBitioN: “To keep playing as long as possible at the highest level” Game streNgtH: Ball skills and a physical edge PoNies owNeD: 8 Favourite PoNies: Rocket and Roo toP PLace to PLay: Twelve Oaks Best Bit aBout gaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “It brings polo
to a wider audience and it’s a welcome addition to the winter fixtures list”
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
to high goal legend Bautista Heguy and good at taking penalties PoNies owNeD: 4 Favourite PoNy: Sprite toP PLace to PLay: Kenya. Whilst British colonialists largely took part in the sport, it gained a following among some locals in the 1980s and 1990s Best Bit aBout gaucHo iNterNatioNaL PoLo: “Bringing a
country sport to the heart of the capital”
Teams 25
“
Gaucho International Polo is a welcome addition to the winter fixtures list”
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
Feature 27
We talk to Event Director for Gaucho Mark Cann about the incredible transformation of The O2 arena from music venue to polo pitch (and back) in just one day
Q How long will it take to transform The O2 arena into a polo arena? Last year a day; this year, ten hours!
Q What are the processes involved?
First we build the boards for the arena, and then bring in the surface, nearly 450 tonnes of sand, plus all the vehicles and machinery needed for spreading it and levelling the surface. We build the pony lines out in the back to accommodate all the horses; we are expecting about 60 this year. Then we dress the arena, adding advertising hoardings and corporate enclosures.
THE NUMBERS 12 players 60 horses 450 tonnes of sand 3000 bottles of Veuve Clicquot
champagne
50,000kg of prime Argentinian beef eaten in Gaucho O2
Q What kind of maintenance is required
viewing. We are much tighter for time this year and the production will be much bigger, with a stage for Bajofondo in the evening.
Q Do you think that the success of
transforming The O2 will lead other venues to consider hosting arena polo events? They are all different and there is a lot of expertise required from many different areas, but I am sure once it catches on other major cities will start to be interested. I know Nacho Figueras is keen to see this event at Madison Square Gardens.
Q Who designed the polo arena?
during the event? We monitor the boards and run a tractor over the surface to level it off at various intervals.
I suppose ultimately I did, but we used existing equipment and the challenge was working out how big an arena we could have, how it lent itself to the spectacle whilst satisfying the highest professional standards, and being able to get it in and out in the limited time available.
Q How long does it take to clear the polo arena after the event, and do you have to work through the night? Four hours, I hope, otherwise I am in big trouble! No one gets much sleep the night before or after, even though we cannot work between 3am and 6am.
Q What is your best bit of the event?
The satisfaction that it has gone well, and seeing the players compete at the highest level for a prize that matters to them, at an iconic venue. I enjoy seeing the achievement of it all, but I am too focused whilst its all going on, to enjoy it properly myself. Although I will say the last moments of the Scotland v. South Africa Game last year were fantastic to watch.
Q Have there been any design or logistical changes since last year’s polo event? We have improved the boards slightly and incorporated the ice hockey boards over more of the area, as this is better for
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
28 Feature
We take a closer look at the spread of polo around the world and various adaptations that have audiences hooked
I
T wAs IN THE ANCIENT NATION of Persia, around 600BC, that someone on a horse first tried hitting a ball with a stick – and found it was quite good sport! soon afterwards, the first recorded version of the game took place, and before long the exciting pursuit started to spread to neighbouring kingdoms. skip forward a few thousand years, and polo has become a popular sport all over the world in all sorts of different styles, locations and climates. A little more than hi tting a ball with a stick, today polo is known for its adrenalinefuelled speed, precision and skill, and is played in more than 80 different countries.
1
GRASS POLO
To the common man, outdoor/grass polo is the most recognized and played format of the game around the world. This is the game played by British and international royals, the game that has been played in official tournaments for
hundreds of years, and the game that is ordinarily acknowledged as the original form of polo. This modern game of polo, though formalised and proliferated by the British, is derived from Manipur (India) and the oldest polo ground in the world is the Imphal Polo Ground located in Manipur state. In addition, British settlers in the United states and Argentina popularised the game in the Americas, where the first formal polo matches took place around 1875. The sport spread fast and in the 1924 Paris and 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, Argentinian teams obtained the gold medal. Popularity grew to such an extent that today both nations are tough competitors in the international tournaments, and Argentina is credited globally as the beating heart of traditional grass polo. However, as the sport has blossomed in popularity, a number of variations have emerged as adaptations to various climates, locations and audiences. Arena, beach and snow polo differ from grass polo
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
in several ways; the most obvious of which is the reduction to three players per team, in order to accommodate smaller spaces and closer spectator stands.
2
SNOW POLO
3
BEACH POLO
Another modern variant is snow polo, which is played outdoors on snow, frozen ground or ice. Polo started to be played at ski stations around 1985, so is one of the newest adaptations of the game; the ball used on snow is made of plastic and much larger than the wooden ball used on grass, the game is slower and the field is smaller.
Beach polo is growing in popularity, especially here in the UK where major events include matches at watergate in Cornwall and sandbanks in Dorset. similar to arena polo (which can also be played on sand), the rules are almost the time. sandbanks is a particular highlight of the polo social calendar
THE FACTS (6–7 July this year); home to a breathtaking spectacle of beach polo prowess and skill, the event also attracts party enthusiasts in large numbers, including A-list celebrities, London high society, international socialites and British royals. Beach polo is popular around the world, and is springing up in new locations every year. In fact, the first official international beach polo event will take place in St Brelade’s Bay, Jersey, this year after local officials agreed to relax beach rules. Locations including Ibiza and Forte dei Marmi (Italy) have also enjoyed huge popularity at inaugural beach polo events since 2010.
4
ARENA POLO
Arena polo (where the Gaucho Polo tournament is grouped) is gaining popularity fast and is the next most common version of the game. Renowned for its fast, action- packed pace, it’s a sharper, slightly smaller, version of the original. The dimensions of an arena pitch can equal that of a grass pitch (300ft
x 150ft) but boasts the addition of 4ft high sideboards containing the action. The boards are used to rebound the ball changing the direction of play, keeping both the spectators and opposing team on their toes. In instances where a smaller pitch is used, the layout makes for a thrilling game, with the emphasis on skill rather than hitting power. Picked up and personalised by individual nations, local variants of the smaller game have also been developed – cowboy polo in the western United States, polocrosse in Australia and even camel polo in Dubai, to name but a few. Arena tournaments have been so well received by both players and audiences that events have been established all over the world (even where grass polo is popular). In the UK, arena polo is booming – and for the 363 days a year that The O2 isn’t transformed for a tournament, the arena game can still be enjoyed on a regular basis not far from the capital. Ascot Park Polo Club in Surrey is home to Europe’s largest all-weather polo arena, measuring 100m x 50m, playing host to lessons and tournaments for all levels.
Grass/Outdoor Polo
Players: 4 Playing surface: grass Pitch: 300 x 160 yards chukkas: 4–6 periods of play
(7-minute chukkas) goals: 8 yards apart locations: Worldwide including major events: abierto de tortugas, abierto de hurlingham, abierrto argentino de Polo (argentina); the cartier Queen’s cup (uk); fiP World cup (international locations)
Arena/Indoor Polo
Players: 3–4 Playing surface: dirt/sand Pitch: varies from full size to 300 x 150 ft chukkas: 4 periods of play (7.5-minute chukkas) goals: 10 x 15 ft area in arena wall locations: Worldwide including the gaucho international Polo at the o2
Beach Polo
Players: 3 Playing surface: sand with a bright inflatable ball Pitch: varies on location chukkas: 4 periods of play, length varies goals: 6 yards apart locations: Popular in Miami, fl (usa), Dubai, Dominican republic, ireland and uk including British Beach Polo championships at sandbanks
Snow Polo
Players: 3 Playing surface: snow, flat surface or frozen lake with a bright inflatable ball Pitch: varies (usually less than 100 yards long) chukkas: 4 periods of play goals: varies on location locations: aspen, co (usa), switzerland (st. Moritz and klosters), argentina, russia, italy with major events including the fiP (federation of international Polo) 2012 snow Polo World cup at the Metropolitan Polo club in tianjin, china and st Moritz Polo World cup
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Feature 31
All YeAr round
MINT Polo in the Park 2012
Hurlingham Park, Fulham 8th – 10th June
For the fourth year, the hallowed turf of Hurlingham Park in Fulham will thunder with the hooves of polo ponies. Polo players from all over the world will battle each other in a furious display of horsemanship at MINT Polo in the Park. Spend a quintessentially British summer’s day at Hurlingham, complete with elegant food court, a variety of big name bars, shops and childrens’ play area. Browse and wander through the luxury village, enjoy the Veuve Clicquot champagne garden, along with world-class hospitality and some of the finest polo and pitch-side entertainment in the world. The event is the leading outdoor polo and lifestyle fixture in central London. New for 2012 are an improved luxury and lifestyle shopping
Alice Tozer finds out Gaucho’s top picks for those of you now itching to fill your diary with polo, inspired by the evening’s events!
area, the Havana Mojito Bar, Pimm’s Bus and, exclusive to ‘City Friday’, the gorgeous Gaucho lounge.
Sunset Polo 2012
Ham Polo Club, Richmond 29th June
At over 85 years of age, Ham Polo Club holds an established and distinguished reputation as the last remaining polo club in Greater London. The club is renowned for teaming excellent sporting standards with a relaxed family atmosphere and social facilities – and this summer, Gaucho will once again bring the essence of the Argentina’s national sporting heritage to Ham, stamping Latino passion onto London’s flagship club. 2011 saw Gaucho partner with the world’s best polo player, Adolfo Cambasio,
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for a round-robin tournament that saw Team Horseware triumphant against Team Gaucho in the final. On Friday 29 June this year, Sunset Polo welcomes guests once more for a day of corporate entertainment and sporting prowess. Sunset Polo is the ideal way to introduce those not familiar with Argentina’s greatest sport to the game, and is perfect for both family trips and luxury hospitality.
The Asahi British Beach Polo Championships 2012 Sandbanks, Poole 6th – 7th July
Yes, Britain does have a premier beach location – Sandbanks – and this year it will once again play host to polo’s finest in a festival of sport and music. Beach Polo at Sandbanks provides a unique opportunity for businesses to improve brand awareness,
Feature 32 Feature 13
Left: Gaucho Sunset Polo 2011 Below: MINT Polo in the Park 2011 Bottom: The Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup 2011
Cowdray Park Polo Club 15th July (day of the final)
The Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship at Cowdray Park is one of most prestigious
The HAC 105 Polo Invitational 2012
Ham Polo Club, Richmond 8th September
The oldest regiment in the British Army, the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) has a strong polo tradition. In this event they battle with the Household
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HAC Photo: © Mark Beaumont
The Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup 2012
polo tournaments in the world. At 22-goal level, the golden trophy is what every player dreams of winning in his career. For three weeks this summer, almost 50 matches will be played at the event. It all started back in 1956, thanks to the late John Cowdray, 3rd Viscount, who launched the event. Veuve Clicquot has been title sponsor since 1995, giving the event that extra splash of class. The Final of the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup will attract over more than 12,000 spectators. At the top of the spectrum are 200 A-list celebrities, ‘connectors’, and clients who are spoilt rotten by Veuve Clicquot in an exclusive, invitation-only VIP marquee.
© Clive Bennett
promote their services and entertain clients. Building on the success of the last four years, the British Beach Polo Championships 2012 promises to be a phenomenal event. Teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will compete for the Championship title. There’ll be floodlit beach polo on the Friday night, whilst the Professional Beach Volleyball will provide a sporting alternative. Sumptuous refreshments will be provided throughout the day, with guests taking part in this exciting and glamorous spectacle, both on and off the pitch. The renowned Beach Party allows players, celebrities, socialites and supporters alike to dance the night away or just chill until the small hours of the morning.
Cavalry and the Parachute Regiment teams, at prestigious Ham Polo Club. For the third year running, you will be able to see the British Army’s most prestigious regiment, made up of the City’s finest professionals, play polo in one of its flagship community engagement events. Last year saw three HAC polo teams compete for a number of prestigious trophies in front of some 800 HAC members, their guests and members of the general public. The day included music and marching displays from the British Imperial Band and the HAC Light Cavalry. The event raises money for the HAC Benevolent Fund and also the Parachute Regiment Charity, and helps raise the profile of the regiment within the army and the wider general public. Rumour has it that this year, a royal presence for the day could even be on the cards.
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29/02/2012 14:48
I AM A GAUCHO, AND TAKE THIS FROM ME AS MY TONGUE EXPLAINS IT TO YOU: FOR ME THE EARTH IS A SMALL PLACE AND COULD BE BIGGER YET
Jose Hernandez MARTÍN FIERRO THE GAUCHO
AND SITTING BESIDE THE FIRE WAITING FOR DAY TO COME HE’D SUCK AT THE BITTER MATÉ TILL HE WAS GLOWING WARM
BR I L L A N D O CÁ L I D A M E N TE
GANADO Y CI ELO HE COULD ALWAYS FIND SOME AMUSEMENT, PEOPLE WERE READY FOR ANYTHING... LOOKING OUT ACROSS THE LAND YOU’D SEE NOTHING BUT CATTLE AND SKY
JUNTO OTR
OS A VEZ AND AS NIGHT FELL, YOU’D SEE THEM TOGETHER AGAIN IN THE KITCHEN
WITH THE FIRE WELL ALIGHT AND A HUNDRED THINGS TO TALK OVER
A GAUCHO GOES WHERE HE AIMS FOR EVEN THOUGH HE CAN’T TELL WHERE HE IS
gauchorestaurants.com
Polo Times editor James mullan talks to six-goal player and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras, uncovering the two sides to the captain of the Argentina side facing England in Gaucho International Polo 2012’s main event
THE MAN What is your favourite film? Easy – The Godfather. It just has wonderful actors and a great story. What was the first album you ever bought? I think it was Appetite for Destruction by Guns ‘N’ Roses. It was their first album, so I must have been about 12 years old! Which book are you reading at the moment? I particularly like biographies, as I like to read about influential people and leaders in their time, and I’ve normally got a couple on the go at once. Right now, I’m reading the Steve Jobs book and the biography of Blake Mycoskie, who created TOMS footwear. Who’s been the most interesting person you’ve met so far? Not because he’s been my employer, but Ralph Lauren has genuinely been
an inspiration for me. He’s a wonderful family man, a terrific leader and a brilliant business entrepreneur. Who would you most like to meet? It would have been fun to meet Frank Sinatra. He intrigues me. But, since he’s dead, I’m hopeful that one day I’ll get the chance to meet Nelson Mandela. Who was your childhood hero? Gonzalo Pieres. And who has been your biggest influence? My father; he’s the one who taught me that hard work pays off. If you keep going, nothing is impossible. What ambitions do you still have? To keep expanding polo, but my passion is to do so by linking the game to big brands and businesses in order to find means to ensure there is a significant charitable element to each event as well. The potential is almost limitless.
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Feature 45
THE PLAYER When was the last time you fell off? Oh, I fall off all the time! But the last nasty one was in December, when I fell heavily whilst playing in a tournament match at Polo One in Pilar. My right shoulder was in pain for about a month afterwards. Who’s been your hardest opponent in polo? It was always a tough game whenever I played Mariano Aguerre. He and I had some great battles when he was playing for Peter Brant’s team in the US high-goal in Florida. The last time we met, in 2009, he got the better of us in a 15-14 epic. And who’s been the best teammate? I’ve played quite a lot with both Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, and they have always been very enjoyable to line up alongside, and brilliant teammates. What has been your best polo memory? I’d actually have to say playing in front of 18,000 people at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in New York, with the city’s iconic skyline as our backdrop. For me, it wasn’t just a game, but the culmination of a lot of hard organisational work. It was something I’d nurtured from the start. Do you have any polo regrets? No, none. I’m a very positive person, and so even when things don’t go quite as you might have hoped; I’ll always learn from them and take something valuable as I go forward. Previously published in Polo Times
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Feature 47
There’s often more to a trophy that meets the eye, and those up for the winning tonight are no exception. We take a closer look...
T
HERE ARE TwO TROPHIEs to be contested tonight, each for a one-off test match. The Churchill Cup will be presented to either England or Argentina, as they go head to head. And there’s the Ambassador’s Cup whose fate is in the hands of either scotland or Ireland. Of the two, the Churchill Cup has definitely got the edge in terms of its history. The Churchill Cup is borrowed from the CsPA (the Combined services Polo Association) and dates back to 1890. It’s
team). Incidentally, close up, this most beautiful rosebowl is almost identical to the cup given to the winner of the men’s Australian Tennis Open. There’s a reason Mr Churchill’s name is behind the trophy. As young officer in the British cavalry in the late 1890s, he was an avid polo player. He had a natural ability to play the sport, and was said to have done so wholeheartedly and with great ferocity. so much did he esteem the pursuit of polo that he is quoted as saying, “A polo handicap is a passport to the world.” He continued to play the sport until he was 52, and to ride up until he was 76! Last year’s winners of the Churchill and Ambassador’s Cups were England and scotland respectively. Both contests were very close in 2011, meaning there’s everything to play for as this evening’s action pans out, making the event all the more exciting. a very valuable item. The Cup (aka ‘The United services Cup’) might have been around a long time, but nobody is quite sure what it was originally presented for. In recent years it was given to the winner of a polo final played between the Inter-Regimental Germany and the Inter-Regimental UK sides. when this match ceased to exist - after the InterRegimental Germany team disbanded - the Cup was re-designated as the first trophy of the Chapple Cup series (played between the CsPA and the annual visiting touring
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Sumptuous style and support for a worthwhile cause combine to make Gaucho International Polo’s ‘White Jeans Party’ the hottest polo event of the 2012 social calendar
Millie Mackintosh is among those lending her support to the White Jeans campaign.
P
OLO Is NOT sImPLy A sport these days, it’s a mainstay of popular culture. so much so, that in recent years polo fashion has extended from the pitch into boutiques, high fashion labels and even the high street. The traditional polo regalia of white jeans, polo shirt and brown leather riding boots is imitated by countless fashion houses, and original polo suppliers such as Polistas and Ralph Lauren have enjoyed a surge in sales from both sporting and nonsporting shoppers. “It’s as important to ‘look the part’ at a polo event as it is at any other social event” said Polistas founder and mD, Johnny Lynn, to Lusso magazine, “and the fashion -conscious among the new generation of polo spectators will want to take note.” “A polo tournament is not a night club. But it is amazing to see many novice spectators […] wearing stiletto heels or black suits and dashes of bling in the middle of the English countryside. For the most part, classic is best. For guys, you can’t go wrong with a pair of chinos or white jeans and either a dress shirt and blazer or a nice, plain polo shirt. For girls, the high
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heels are tempting but impractical. At less formal weekend polo matches, dress for comfort and don’t over-do it.” As the stomping ground of royalty, social elite and royalty, what to wear to polo matches has been hotly debated amongst the style-conscious – but currently, white jeans are winning in the fashion stakes with followers such as Prince Harry wearing them at matches around the world. With such a reputation, it seems only fitting that the theme of the Gaucho International Polo 2012 event is a stylish ‘White Jeans Party’, and numerous celebrity guests (including boy band phenomenon JLs, IT girl Tara PalmerTompkinson, made in Chelsea’s millie mackintosh, Rosie Fortescue and Jamie Lang, and Lydia Bright and Lauren Pope from The Only Way of Essex) have already confirmed they will be sporting polo whites when they attend on 21 march. In keeping with the in-vogue dress code and the positive response from highprofile attendees, for every guest who arrives at the event wearing a pair of white jeans, Gaucho will donate a pound to the British Forces Foundation.
Feature 49 Hot Picks
If you don’t currently own any polo whites or need an excuse for a new pair, we can recommend checking out Polistas for the latest styles. We love the classic men’s whites (£80), which are worn by some of the best players in the world. They can easily serve as practical sportswear on the pitch or slimming casual wear for any occasion – and reassuringly, the website states that “we built them with eight belt loops rather than the usual six so you don’t look like a plumber every time you bend over”. For women, the white polo jeans (£90) promise to be “functional yet flattering, designed for playing polo as well as sipping champagne field-side” – what more could you ask for? www.polistas.com
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Teamwork on every level
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Polo Times 2012.indd 1
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Feature 51
strength, performing their live Bajofondo Remixed DJ sets at the biggest world and electronic music festivals around the world. Their last appearance in London at KOKO in 2009 sold out and already their O2 performance is set to be one of the hot tickets for 2012.
“
The crowd went wild for it, invading the stage at the end and cheering for more with a standing ovation” The Financial Times, Bajofondo at the Barbican Centre
Bringing a taste of South American beats to London, get ready to party as Bajofondo lead the festivities at Gaucho International Polo 2012 Truly the icing on the cake for the hotly anticipated International Gaucho Polo event, Grammy award-winning South American band Bajofondo will electrify The O2 arena with an evening concert of unforgettable live music. Bringing Argentine soul to the party, Bajofondo are internationally renowned for their unique brand of ‘electro-tango’, which takes the very best elements of South American sounds and mixes it with DNB, house, chill out and trip hop sounds. “With Bajofondo,” said Santaolalla, “we try to make a contemporary music of Rio
de la Plata (the river that forms part of the border between Argentina and Uruguay) music from Argentina, from Uruguay. Obviously, if you want to do music that comes from there or represents that part of the world, tango is going to be part of it – but, in our case, so is rock ‘n’ roll, electronica and hip-hop. Hopefully a new language, not pure tango.” The eight-man group is described as a “collective of composers, singers and artists” whose first album, Bajofondo Tango Club reached triple platinum. Since then they have gone from strength to
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The band’s eight talented musicians promise to lead revellers at the arena through a sensual soundscape of tango, trip-hop, DNB and pop elements, redefining the essence of tango especially for this exclusive event. “It is an amazing opportunity for us to be able to play in such an important venue and during this event that has a lot to do with our culture and Argentine tradition.” The three performances will headline The Gaucho International Polo event, bringing a fresh, upbeat Argentine sound to London, with one of Latin America’s most acclaimed bands. Coupled with exclusive wine tastings from Argentina’s finest producers and afterparties late into the night, this party will rock in true Buenos Aires style! Tickets are available via Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 0844 248 5022.
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T
No self respecting polo event is complete without an extravagant after party lasting long into the night. Join in the madness, meet the players and celebrate Gaucho-style at indigO2
O CELEbRATE THE ENd of the spectacular Gaucho International Polo event at London’s O2 arena, Gaucho invites you to the intimate setting of the indigO2 to continue the celebrations in true Argentinian style. bursting with vibrant South American beats, delicious exotic cocktails and unforgettable music this fabulous afterparty will be held at the indigO2 once the final chukka has been played. Guests at the party will mingle with the worldfamous professional players and countless celebrities that will be attending the event. Highlights include relaxing with a glass of chilled Veuve Clicquot champagne, whilst soaking up an unforgettable musical evening with some of London’s finest dJs and a mesmerising 3d laser show. Taking to the decks and ensuring the party flows with a seamless mix of music, dancing, champagne and cocktails will be award-winning dJ Sam Young, who has famously played at Royal weddings, superstars’ birthday bashes (including Elton John’s) and film premieres such as Sex and The City and The Golden Compass. Also wowing the crowds and keeping the party vibe alive will be Hugo Heathcote (founder of Love brunch, London’s hottest all-day Ibiza-style brunch party), James Park, fresh from his tour with N dubz’s dappy, and Sacha bahlsen.
Finally, there will also be a charitable twist to the evening in the form of ‘The White Jeans Party’, which ticket holders are already looking forward to. In keeping with the popularity of traditional polo regalia, for every guest who arrives at the event wearing a pair of white polo jeans, £1 will be donated to the british Forces Foundation (bFF). With enthusiasts such as Prince Harry and professional players donning them at matches around the world, you’ll look right at home in a pair of polo whites, sipping a glass of champagne and soaking up the incredible party atmosphere, buenos Aires-style!
The Gaucho International Polo Players Afterparty at indigO2 9.45pm until late. Tickets £17.50 in advance, £20 on the night available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk
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Party Planner
The afterparty has been organised by party planner and professional polo player, Royston Prisk. Having competed around the world and at every level, Royston has also worked with Chinawhite on the Cartier Polo event for nine years, and has produced polo-related parties in both London and at The Royal Berkshire Polo Club. He has worked with many of London’s top nightclubs, including Cuckoo Club, Maddox and Chinawhite.
Like what you’ve seen at the Gaucho? Well, find out more about the ins and outs of the game with a free trial to Polo Times magazine Polo is played all over the world, on grass, on snow, in arenas and on beaches, and is a thriving business industry in its own right. Whether you find the game exhilarating or frustrating, beautiful or just plain dangerous, it’s time you knew what you were talking about.
Head to the Polo Times website and click on the tab Welcome to the world’s most exciting game:
www.polotimes.co.uk
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Feature 55
Argentinian As Argentine wines become ever more popular here in the UK, selecting the right bottle might seem a little overwhelming. Guiding you through this bewildering barrage of bottles, Gaucho’s Director of Wine PHIL CROzIER selects his top ten from the current darling of the winemaking world.
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1
Colome estate torrontes
Torrontes is the emblematic grape varietal of Northern Argentina, and is fast becoming a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Very aromatic, fresh and clean with grapefruit peel, lychee and elderflower and a clean, fresh finish.
and leathery tones, rich and smooth in the mouth and fresh on the finish.
3
tapiz reserva CharDonnay
This Chardonnay is a great example of high altitude winemaking. From San Pablo, high up in Uco Valley in Mendoza, this fresh and mineral wine benefits from ten months in oak, but the integration of the oak in the wine supports the fruit, rather than overwhelming it. If you think that you are tired of Chardonnay, try this and think again.
2
FinCa DeCero Cabernet sauvignon
This new winery in Alto Agrelo, the highest point in Lujan de Cuyo, has hit the ground running and is producing fantastic quality wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is often overlooked in favour of Malbec, but Argentina is capable of producing great quality. Lots of ripe cassis, menthol
climate area is so suited to this grape. From old vines, this oak aged Pinot Noir is fresh and delicate, with earthy tones of cranberry and crunchy raspberry, smooth on the palate with racy acidity and a fine, long finish; a very grown-up Pinot Noir.
5 4
humberto Canale gran reserva pinot noir From the region of the Rio Negro, this Pinot Noir exemplifies why this cool
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susana balbo seleCCion malbeC
Susana Balbo is one of the most respected winemakers in Argentina, and has been elected president of Wines of Argentina for the second year running. She is known for the precise attention to detail that she puts into her wines. This Malbec has become a classic, blending wines from both the Uco Valley and Lujan de Cuyo, adding a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon to give depth and structure. The nose is pretty, with violets and
Feature 57
9
traPiche oak cask syrah
lavender over ripe black and red fruits, lush in the mouth with an easy charm on the finish.
6
Bianchi ‘Particular’ MalBec
This wine is from the small region of San Rafael, which lies around 200km south east of Mendoza. The climate here is warm, so the wines have a very ripe feel to them. This Malbec is one of the best examples of warmer climate wine, with essence of raisins and prune on the nose, infused with sweet spice and bitter chocolate. Elegant and plummy, with dense chocolate and coffee vanilla in the mouth, and an extraordinarily smooth finish.
7
el Porvenir de los andes ‘laBoruM’ tannat
Much hope is being pinned on the success of this grape, mostly known in Madiran in France and for being the national grape of Uruguay, to become the cornerstone of the future of Argentinian winemaking. In the province of Salta, Tannat becomes aromatic and floral, which is at odds with this usually powerful and tannic grape. The long hang-time that tannat needs to mature is amply catered for in the high
altitudes of Cafayate, and Gaucho believes this example is one of the best in the world. Lots of jasmine and dried flowers on the nose, prunes and calvados flavours in the mouth with a silky, long finish.
8
norton Privada Blend
Derived from the Bordeaux blend, this wine has been adapted to become an Argentinian classic. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot, this infusion has now become the most used combination in Argentina. Norton was one of the first wineries to make a premium blend for export, and the Privada Blend is one of the many wines that have enjoyed an uninterrupted special place on the wine list at Gaucho. Ripe black fruits, sweet vanilla and toasty oak with firm tannins and structure, a soft mouth-feel and seamless finish.
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Syrah needs a warm climate, and so is ideally suited to the eastern side of Mendoza, especially in the district of Cruz de Piedra, home to many old vineyards, some dating back more than 100 years. Very ripe black fruits, leathery notes with kirsch and pepper spice, this has an intensity that belies its price. Sweet in the mouth, rich on the palate and a smooth finish. One of the great Argentine Syrahs.
10
Mauricio lorca Poetico viognier
Mauricio Lorca is one of the great young winemakers of Argentina. His vineyards lie in the Vista Flores district, to the south of the Uco Valley. The region’s cool climate is good for Viognier, as it keeps the grapes fresh, while allowing plenty of sunlight, which this grape loves. Only 50 per cent of this wine was put in oak, which gives weight and body to the wine, the other half expressing the apricot and lime freshness that gives Viognier its heady character.
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‘Monteagrelo‘ range, the talisman of which is the delightful ‘Profundo‘.
Rio Negro Humberto Canale After over five centuries of winemaking tradition, Argentina has established itself as one of the world’s foremost producers of top quality wines. Gaucho’s Director of Wine PHIL CROzIER takes a closer look at three of the country’s best vineyards and what makes their wines so highly regarded.
Salta Bodega Colome Now under the ownership of Donald Hess, this winery is the oldest working winery in Argentina, having survived the numerous earthquakes that have blighted many of the bodegas in Argentina over the years. Formerly belonging to the Davilos family, this small winery has moved with the times and been transformed by huge investment, so that it is now one of the most modern in Argentina. Colome is around 110km from the town of Cafayate, and is home to the highest vineyards in the world, from 2650m to 3111m above sea level. Intense sunlight and cool nights
make this a place for the production of wines with flavours as dramatic as their environment.
Mendoza Bodega Bressia Walter Bressia personifies all that is great about Argentinian wine. He is an unassuming figure, but makes wines of great beauty and style. His vineyards lie in the department of Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo – the core of old-vine Mendoza. This is a very small but perfectly formed winery, producing Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with some Chardonnay to complete the
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Now in their 103rd year, Humberto Canale represents the family ideal that is core to the success of Argentina. The Rio Negro lies to the south of Mendoza, in Patagonia. This region is home to a number of small boutique wineries that are gaining much interest for the great quality of their Pinot Noir and cool climate grape varietals. Merlot and Malbec also prosper here, as the Rio Negro is home to some very old, low yielding vineyards. The embodiment of these unique qualities is the Black River Gran Reserva range of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Pinot Noir. It exquisitely showcases the unique minerality and freshness found at the southern-most tip of the winemaking world.
Walter Bressia
From the rich Malbecs of Mendoza to the aromatic Torrontes of Salta, Wines of Argentina presents a selection of Argentina’s finest wineries. The current sweetheart of the winemaking world, the superb quality and diversity of Argentina’s wineries justify an internationally outstanding reputation as a world player in the wine industry. The wineries featuring in our wine lounge today are...
AchAvAl Ferrer www.achaval-ferrer.com
AndelunA cellArs s.r.l www.andeluna.com
BodegA colome www.bodegacolome.com
Corney & Barrow tessa.john@corneyandbarrow. com
Imported by:
Enotria Wine Cellars j.roberts@enotria.co.uk
AltA vistA www.altavistawines.com
AtAmisque www.atamisque.com
Imported by:
Imported by:
Wells and Youngs marek.wilimowski@ wellsandyoungs.com
Las Bodegas sales@lasbodegas.co.uk
Imported by:
Hallgarten Druit emma.wright@wiv-ag.com
Imported by:
BodegA domingo molinA www.domingomolina.com.ar Imported by:
HispaMerchants solanop@hispamerchants.com
BodegA del Fin del mundo www.findelmundo.net
BodegA luigi BoscA www.luigibosca.com.ar
Imported by:
Bancroft Wines cscottgall@bancroftwines.com
Moreno Wines mike@moreno-wines.co.uk
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Imported by:
Feature 61
Bodega NortoN www.norton.com.ar
Bodega rigLos
Imported by:
Imported by:
Berkmann Wine Cellars info@berkmann.co.uk
Bodegas saNta aNa www.bodegas-santa-ana. com.ar
cateNa www.catenawines.com
Las Bodegas sales@lasbodegas.co.uk
Imported by:
Bibendum Wines mfuente@catenazapata.com
Bodega Piedra Negra FraNcois LurtoN www.francoislurton.com
Bodegas saLeNteiN www.bodegassalentein.com
Bressia Bodega www.bressiabodega.com
chevaL des aNdes www.chevaldesandes.com
Imported by:
Imported by:
Imported by:
Imported by:
Matthew Clark enquiries@matthewclark.co.uk admin@wine-studio.co.uk
Boutinot info@bressiabodega.com
Moet Hennessy UK Ltd chevaldesandes@ chevaldesandes.com
Roberson Wine Merchants mathilde.de.caix@ francoislurton.com
www.bodegariglos.com
Enotria Wine Cellars e.jeffrey@enotria.co.uk
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
Imported by:
DiamanDes www.diamandes.com
Domaine Vistalba www.domainevistalba.com
estancia ancon www.estanciancon.com
Familia ZuccarDi www.zuccardiwines.com
Imported by:
Imported by:
Imported by:
Imported by:
Las Bodegas laurie.webster@lasbodegas.co.uk
Roberson Wines cliff@buckingham-schenk.co.uk
Pampas Wines chris@pampaswines.com
Alliance Wine sales@alliancewine.co.uk
Dominio Del Plata www.dominiodelplata.com.ar
el PorVenir De los anDes www.bodegaselporvenir.com
Familia schroeDer www.familiaschroeder.com
Finca Decero www.decero.com
Imported by:
Imported by:
Imported by:
Ellis of Richmond lwishart@ellis-wines.co.uk
Berkmann Wine Cellars info@berkmann.co.uk
Imported by:
Las Bodegas sales@lasbodegas.co.uk
HispaMerchants solanop@hispamerchants.com
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Finca don carlos www.fincadoncarlos.com
lagarde www.lagarde.com.ar
nQn www.bodeganqn.com.ar
tomero and Vistalba www.carlospulentawines.com
Imported by:
Imported by:
Imported by:
Imported by:
Pampas Wines chris@pampaswines.com
Coe Vintners dennis@coevintners.com
HispaMerchants solanop@hispamerchants.com
Enotria Wine Cellars e.jeffrey@enotria.co.uk
Finca Flichman www.flichman.com.ar
manos negras www.manosnegras.com.ar
Imported by:
Imported by:
Stevens Garnier tradesales@stevensgarnier.co.uk
Coe Vintners katarina@coevintners.com
Finca las moras www.fincalasmoras.com
masi tupungato www.masi.it
Imported by:
Imported by:
ChaliĂŠ Richards & Co customer.services@ halewood.int.com
Finca sophenia www.sophenia.com.ar
o Fournier www.ofournier.com Imported by:
Coe Vintners dennis@coevintners.com
trapiche www.trapiche.com.ar Imported by:
Fells adele.gould@fells.co.uk
tapiz www.tapiz.com.ar
ValentĂn bianchi www.vbianchi.com
Berkmann Wine Cellars info@berkmann.co.uk
Imported by:
Imported by:
HispaMerchants solanop@hispamerchants.co.uk
Liberty Wines chess.martin@libertywines.co.uk
mauricio lorca Foster www.mauriciolorca.com
terrazas de los andes www.terrazasdelosandes.com
Ellis of Richmond lwishart@ellis-wines.co.uk
Imported by:
Moet Hennessy UK Ltd info@terrazasdelosandes.com
humberto canale www.bodegahcanale.com
michel torino estate www.elesteco.com.ar
Imported by:
Imported by:
Enotria Wine Cellars h.kininmonth@enotria.co.uk
Hallgarten Druitt emma.wright@wiv-ag.com
Imported by:
Las Bodegas sales@lasbodegas.co.uk
Imported by:
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
Most of you will have enjoyed as great Gaucho steak at some stage.. and if you haven’t, where have you been the past 14 years? We take a look at the journey behind Gaucho’s beautiful cuts of beef
I
T ALL bEGINs IN THE heartlands of Argentina, on the pampas, where Gaucho’s quality controllers select only the best beef on offer, importing from 43 carefully selected local farms. steak enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that the magnificent freerange cattle are exclusively reared on lush Argentine pampas, where they graze on 17 different types of grass; this controlled diet provides an optimal balance of nutrients, which creates meat of unparalleled leanness and richness. Once slaughtered, the beef is hung for two days to allow the natural enzymes to break down the muscle fibres, and increase the tenderness of the beef, before maturing in its own natural juices. This wet aging process lasts around 35 days whilst in transit (by ship), so by the time the beef reaches the plate it is richer, more succulent and tender. Crucially, all the meat is cooked in a uniform method that was devised and introduced by Gaucho’s Master Griller Daniel Veron, who has been with Gaucho for 35 years. Each steak is lightly brushed with corn oil infused with garlic and lemon, before being placed presentation side down on the traditionally designed
G AU C H O I N T E R NAT I O NA L P O L O 2 0 1 2
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Argentine grill and salted with Maldon sea salt. Throughout the cooking process the steak is turned only once, ensuring optimum caramelisation of the meat, whilst retaining the rich juices – a sublime taste sensation.
Picaña (Rump cap)
This cut is incredibly juicy with lots of flavour and is delicious with traditional Argentinian chimichurri (made from fresh parsley, Spanish onion, red pepper, aji molido, sherry vinegar and corn oil). Picana is typically a Brazilian cut but it is so good that it has made its way to Argentina with great popularity. It is the top of the rump so shares all the characteristics of rump but with a belt of crackling. At Gaucho it is cut very thin and flash grilled to maintain the juices and flavour. Recommended Wine Match: Humberto Canale Pinot Noir
chorizo (siRloin)
A tender and succulent cut, the Chorizo cut also boasts a delicious belt of juicy crackling. This classic cut handles being grilled from medium rare, all the way up
to well done, as the belt of crackling keeps it nice and moist whilst cooking. Recommended Wine Match: Riglos Cabernet Sauvignon
Tira de ancho (Rib-eye)
The perfect steak to share, the Tira de Ancho is spiral cut and slowly grilled with chimichurri. This is by far one of the most popular cuts on the menu at Gaucho. The cut is spiralled out and slowly grilled, so on one end diners enjoy the juicy skirt and the other tender sirloin – a bit of everything. Recommended Wine Match: Zuccardo Q Tempranillo
Lomo (fillet)
The Lomo is the most tender and delicate cut of beef – the opposite of the rump, it is not a working muscle, so it is incredibly soft and tender with a subtle flavour. The meat is so tender, you could actually cut it with a spoon! For something really special, consider the Medallion, which is the eye of the lomo and the perfect choice for those who like it rare. Recommended Wine Match: Sophenia Synthesis Malbec
A popular specialist cut, this steak is marbled with fat, with a succulent thin skirt – it’s very juicy, with a strong distinctive flavour, so if rib-eye is your steak of choice, then this is definitely a cut for you to try. Recommended Wine Match: Mauricio Lorca Opalo Malbec
tHe basics Rump
cuadril (rump) – the leanest cut with a pure, distinctive flavour Picaña (rump cap) – incredibly juicy and with lots of flavour; great with chimichurri
SiRloin
chorizo (sirloin) – tender and succulent cut, with a belt of juicy crackling asado de chorizo – great for sharing; marinated in aji molido (ground red pepper), smoked garlic, parsley, olive oil
Rib EyE
ancho (rib eye) – delicately marbled throughout for superb, full-bodied flavour Tira de ancho – to share; spiral cut, slowly grilled with chimichurri
FillEt
The Wine As a marker of its outstanding reputation as the centre of Argentinian cuisine in Europe, Gaucho boasts the largest Argentinian wine list outside South America. The list features over 250 bins sourced from Patagonia in the south (the home of beautiful Pinot Noirs) through Mendoza (where the Malbec grape has made Argentine wine famous) and up to Salta in the north of the country. As such, Gaucho has formed strong partnerships with many of the country’s
enTraña Fina (specialist cut)
wine makers with a bond that has seen Phil Crozier (Gaucho’s Director of Wine) blend and produce exclusive wines for Gaucho under a ‘Corte G’ selection. September 2012 will see Gaucho host a series of ‘Winemakers Dinners’, events that will take Club G members on a spell binding journey to the very heart of Argentinean wine culture. Visit www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/club-g for details.
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Lomo (fillet) – the most tender and delicate cut medallion – eye of the lomo chateaubriand – centre cut lomo
SpEcialiSt cutS
entraña Fina – marbled succulent thin skirt; very juicy, with a strong distinctive flavour media Luna Vacio – half moon of tender flank steak; marinated in Churrasco marinade for 24-48 hours
SOME GAUCHOS PREFER THE THRILL OF THE CHASE The Gaucho International Polo launches the Gaucho Polo Season 2012. View the full calendar at gauchorestaurants.com/polo
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24/02/2012 11:09