During the final weekend of Vendimia festivities, floats of beautiful young women parade through the principal streets of Mendoza City, happily waving, throwing kisses and chucking fresh produce into the crowds. Produce? Yes. And lots of it. So when you find yourself thinking, “seen one parade, seen them all” – Vendimia provides quite an exception to get back into the street and share in...
Let’s be honest: wine tasting can be a snooty affair. It can be hoity and toity and uncomfortable. It can be more about spinning jargon than swirling wine, and more about impressing those around you than paying attention to the wines that impress you. Yes, some wine tastings are as stiff as the tannins in a hearty Syrah. But that was not the case...
Tempranillo is the primary red grape grown in Spain, most specifically in the Ribera del Duero and Rioja Alta regions. It´s a key blending ingredient in Port wines and a key player in the Rioja blend. Pronounced (Temp-Ra-Knee-Sho). Tempranillo was introduced to Argentina by Spanish immigrants in the early twentieth century, and over the years Argentine winemakers have relished in the great versatility of...
The people of Mendoza are people who know the value of tradition, above all the tradition of a light nap in the sleepy hours of the early afternoon. There is nothing sweeter, nothing that deserves to be savored quite as much as the Siesta. Between the hours of 13:00 and 17:00 businesses shut their doors, plazas mellow out and the majority of the population...
9:00 Shopping for a Crafty Cause Begin the day with an morning stroll through the city as the sun just starts to warm the air and peak through the leafy canopies. Wander over to Av. San Martin and step into the Mercado Artesanal Mendoza. Explore the downstairs area, where you’ll find handmade crafts from the Huarpe reservation. This cooperative brings wool mats, blankets, belts,...
Malbec As Argentina’s flagship grape and the most widely planted, wildly-loved Argentine fruit, the Malbec grape drastically changed the landscape of the country, the economy and the international wine community. The varietal is recognized for its strong bouquet of aromatic fruits – including plum, raisin, and violets – set upon supple tannins and a velvety finish. Typical Characteristics: Grapes: Thin-skinned grapes, medium size, dark...
Juan Martín is two parts mountain guide, three parts businessman and every bit Mendocino. Hardly the gruff-and-scruff mountain guide of my imagination, Juan is the refined Argentine gaucho of the modern age. “I was born in the Uco Valley, in the open countryside. Born and raised between the horses and the cows, it was only natural that I spend my life outdoors.” As a...
The Uco Valley Geography: South of Mendoza City and slightly to the West, between 3,000 – 5,000 ft. above sea level Profile: The Uco Valley (Valle de Uco) is arguably Mendoza’s region with the most prestige, thanks to the architecturally impressive wineries that riddle the landscape and the suburb grapes that their vineyards produce. The large thermal amplitude (difference in temperature between day and...
Though Mendoza is still months away from the main event, preparations have long since been underway for the country’s most celebrated harvest festival. Vendimia celebrates the grape harvest, the rich history of Mendoza’s vineyards and the future success of Argentinean wines. Since 1936, this national festival has filled the quiet Andean city with tourists and wine lovers from all around the world. The festivities...
One of five major highway passes that make the treacherous crossing through and over, up and around the Andean Mountain Range. Argentina shares a border of 3,200 miles (5150 km) with Chile, but the border crossings are few and far between, creating a bottle neck of trucks filled to the brim with fruits and veggies looking to get to the other side. These ferías...
Martin Moreno, Carolyn’s husband, and his business partner, Rodolfo Navio are celebrating 19 years on the river! The two friends met while studying at a University in Mendoza and while working for a local rafting company. They worked two summers together in Mendoza, and traveled off season to work in the US. By the end of the second season in Argentina, the rafting company...
When she poured me a cup, I thought she must be joking. The fragrant golden liquid stared back at me like an ominous Fear Factor challenge, designed to test the strength of my stomach. And as I lifted the glass, I steeled my nerves and took a sip, letting the thick oil coat my tongue with smooth warm spices, the tears of the aceitunas...