A night of Mendoza Wine and Mountains: Sunset at Séptima Winery
Séptima Winery Sets the Scene
Argentina’s long, sweltery summers ensure that at dusk, when the sun dips behind the ridge of the cordillera, a collective sigh sweeps across the desert. Temperatures drop slightly, a breeze picks up and it somehow feels easier to breathe.
Séptima Winery sits 3500 feet above sea level, along National Route 7, which runs from Chile to Mendoza and onward to Buenos Aires. Designed by Eliana Bórmida and Mario Yanzón, the winery is as stunning as the Andean peaks that provide the backdrop. An expansive terrace provides the perfect setting for watching the sunset, and every week Mendocinans and wine tourists alike make the trek from Mendoza City out to the winery to watch the play of colors and to indulge in some fine food and wine.
Last week, in celebration of Kendra’s new job and to mark her final day at the office, the Uncorking Team set off to Séptima and to a sunset in the Luján de Cuyo region. By the time we arrived, our stomachs were grumbling and our palates were eagerly awaiting some rico vino.
Tapas Dinner in Mendoza, Argentina
Though the menu changes constantly, word on the street (or in the vineyard) is delicious (and bountiful) dishes are always a guarantee. The chefs of María Restaurant, Séptima’s in-house restaurant, take advantage of the occasion to show some of their finest skills.
The menu is tapas – small bites, meant to give you a taste of the vast flavors that are present in Argentine cuisine. And if you equate tapas with a light meal, you may want to make some room in your tummy before stepping onto the Séptima terrace. The food is plentiful, tempting and constantly replenished by a team of attentive servers. Just as you think you’ve neared the finish line of the meal, the servers scoop up the empty platters and refill the table with the next round.
At the risk of diminishing the elegance of the evening, I dare to say that it is a veritable smorgasbord. One that merits more than a few bites of indulgence.
To give you an idea of what was on the menu – or to shamelessly tempt you into experiencing it for yourself – here are the culinary highlights of our evening:
Cold Small Bites:
- Salmon lime mousse
- Canapé of prosciutto and shaved parmesan cheese
- Smoked beef tenderloin and tomato confit in Malbec
- Beef tenderloin carpaccio and fried capers
Warm Small bites
- Ratatouille of vegetables, crispy bacon and melted cheese
- Tomaticán cuyano (corn tomato stew) with smoked boar
- Mini shepards’ pie
- Mendocinan empanadas
- Chicken kabob with smoked bacon balsamic reduction
- Beef kabob with salsa pebre
Small Plates
- Humita (cooked corn porridge)
- Rabbit escabeche (a Spanish preparation consisting of a flavorsome sauce made with vinegar, onions and carrots)
- Stewed beef in spiced broth
Desserts
- Sparkling wine mojito
- Flan topped with dulce de leche
- Figs in syrup with cheese foam
- Pear Crumble with vanilla ice cream and almond praline
- Caramel crepe
- Malbec plums and berries
The Wine Pairings
The menu is paired with Séptima wines and María Codorníu Sur Extra Brut sparkling wine.
Somewhat out of sync with typical wine-paired meals, we had all 3 glasses full throughout the evening. Rather than forcing us to pair our bites with only one wine, we were free to mix and match according to what our palates prefer.
We drank Séptima Malbec, Séptima Sauvignon Blanc, and Espumante María Cordoríu Extra Brut.
Sunsets at Séptima are every Thursday at 7 p.m. from November to April.
(From left to right) Daniel, Madeline, Kendra, Carolyn, Molly, Luján
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