Holidays in Argentina are a big deal, particularly El Día de los Enamorados (Valentine´s Day).  If you´ve ever crossed one of Mendoza´s city plazas and the population of lip-locked couples that populated them, you know that Argentines are not averse to displays of affection.

With the pressure on, planning the perfect Valentine’s Day can be a stressful proposition. Thankfully, there is a little science behind choosing the perfect wine and getting the setting just right.

Pick the Perfect Valentine´s Day Wine:

Though sparkling wines nearly have a monopoly on Valentine´s Day, they also have one considerable downfall: the bubbles.  Festive as sparkling wines may be, they also lead to two rather un-festive side effects: burping and bloating.

But bubbles aren´t the only wine characteristic to be avoided.  Choose a high alcohol wine (15% and up) and you run the risk of ending the night too early.  Uncork a robust red with gripping tannins and your mouth (and conversation) will dry right up.

Instead, the third wheel on your Valentine´s day date should be a wine that pairs with your menu, falls into the wine style that you and your partner love, is aromatic, easy to drink, and has a refreshing acidity that keeps your palate & lips hydrated (read: kissable).

However, even the perfect wine can only go so far.  “Sadly, the aphrodisiac remains a holy grail. In its absence, one must rely on wit, charm, magnetism and all those other personal elements that might be enhanced by a good wine but cannot be created by a wine no matter how good,” says Eric Asimov, wine critic at The New York Times.

And he´s right, but there is still one ace up your sleeve: choosing the perfect setting.  Wine (like romance) is a superbly subjective experience.  It can be enhanced or hindered by context.  Thankfully, Mendoza offers several romantic spots where you can uncork a bottle of wine, enjoy time with your sweetheart and hopefully put those kissable lips to good use.

Where to Uncork Wine in Mendoza:

• Decimo Restaurant
  

  Hidden in the rafters of the Gomez Building on Garibaldi Street in downtown Mendoza, Decimo offers a rooftop bar with a view overlooking the city lights.  Lifted high above the sounds of street traffic, it´s a serene place to order a bottle of wine, tuck into one of their outdoor sofas and snuggle up as the sun goes down.

• San Martin Park

  Given the high summertime temperatures, Mendoza´s largest park and green space comes alive in the evening hours.  Located just west of downtown, the park is easily accessible on foot, by bus, or by taxi.  Pack a picnic basket, remember the corkscrew and forget about paying a high price for a fancy meal.  Simply set up your blanket in the gardens surrounding the lake, and join the hundreds of locals that love the park at night.

• Siete Cocinas

  This local restaurant features the “7 kitchens” of Argentine cuisine, incorporating everything from oven-roasted Patagonian lamb to Atlantic Pollock from the Eastern coast.  Though the restaurant offers an ample, and reasonably priced wine menu – along with an educated bilingual staff to guide you through it – they also welcome guests to bring their own bottles from home.  For a small corking fee your waiter will serve you your favorite.  Siete Cocinas is a beautiful setting in the heart of downtown Mendoza and a hub for local wine industry personalities, so you can be sure that you and your sweetie will be drinking in the best of company.

• Anna Bistro

  From the street, what appears to be an urban secret garden is really a café/restaurant/bar named Ana Bistro, a culinary project owned by French business partners.  Sitting amidst the lush foliage of their candle-lit garden and outdoor patio is perhaps the ideal place to enjoy a bottle of wine in Mendoza.

• Bodega Septima

  Located south of Mendoza City in Luján de Cuyo´s Agrelo region is Bodega Séptima, a large-scale winery that offers stunning architecture and an expansive outdoor terrace.  The winery is a popular choice for wedding ceremonies, and it´s not hard to imagine why.  The food is excellent, the wine delicious – but you´re likely not even to notice thanks to the panoramic vista of the Andes, with the mountains just a stone´s throw away.

Though simply uncorking a bottle of Mendoza wine may not win you never-ending romance, it´s certainly a valiant effort.  And when it’s poured against the backdrop of a beautiful setting – whether in Mendoza or beyond – your sweetheart is sure to feel the love.
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