I must admit I have been feeling the call to return to Argentina for awhile. Argentina is known of its elite soccer team, the famed revolutionary Che Guevara, the land of great beef, the homeland of the tango, and of course great wines. Naturally this Spaswinefood enthusiast have been thinking about Argentine wines. My Argentine wine affair began with Malbec but it grew quickly to an appreciation for other wines, like Bonarda and Torrontés. It was in Argentina that I first discovered (1) Bonarda, Argentina's other red wine, and (2) Torrontés, Argentina's emblematic white wine.
Argentina's diverse landscape occupies an area about one third of the size of the US. Its size makes it hard to explore in a short timeframe, like a month. Fortunately, last time we spent four months. Returning to Argentina means this time Spaswinefood will re-visit Salta, Mendoza, and Patagonia wine regions, and spend time in Buenos Aires of course.
First: Cafayate, Salta
When you think of Argentine wines most likely you think first of Mendoza. Mendoza is undoubtably a great wine region. However, Salta is a region that produces wonderful wines, especially in the Cafayate area. Spaswinefood was most fortunate to have visited Bodegas Etchart, Bodega El Esteco, Bodega Nanni, Bodega Nubes and Colomé last time.
I still remember our earlier drive through Salta Province. It was a totally awesome experience where we experienced colorful grandiose landscape. Salta is known for Torrontés, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Tannat and Merlot wines. In Salta Province we drove to the small town of Cafayate. Cafayate is a sub-region within Salta Province, which is held in high regard for the overall quality of its wine. It is located in the southern part of Valles Calchaquíes, with an altitude of more than 1,800 meters. We look forward to re-discovering the town of Cafayate and visiting wineries in the area.
Just in case you ask why Cafayate. I will simply say it has been named as #1 on the list of 2017 Best Wine Destinations.
Next: Mendoza
No trip to Argentina is complete without visiting Mendoza’s wine region. Mendoza Province is the largest wine-producing region in Argentina. When most think of Argentine wines they are most likely to first think of Malbec. While Mendoza produces great Malbec it also produces other great wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and Bonarda.
Mendoza’s wine region consists of three vast artificial oases (Oasis Norte, Oasis Sur and Uco Oasis). The capital city of Mendoza is located in Oasis Norte, which is irrigated by the Mendoza and Tunuyán rivers. The Diamante and Atuel rivers irrigate the Oasis Sur and Uco Valley Oasis by the Tunuyán River. All three rivers Atuel, Diamante and Tunuyán have their origin in the Andes.
Last time Spaswinefood not only visited Mendoza wineries, such as Bodega Alta Vista, Bodega Ruca Malen and Belasco de Baquedano and San Rafael wineries but also wineries in nearby San Juan Province.
Next: Patagonia
When most think of Patagonia they think of polar fleece and the need to keep warm. What is not well known is that the Patagonia region covers one third of Argentina. Patagonia extends from Rio Negro Province to Terra del Fuego, at the tip of Argentina. This extensive area has a wide climatic range. Northern Patagonia has two wine regions centered around the river valleys of the Rio Negro and the Rio Neuquén. During our Américas trip we were fortunate to have the opportunity to sample wines from both regions and visit Neuquén Province. Neuquén Province is known for Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Two Patagonia wineries near Rio Neuquén that we discovered during our travels were Familia Schroeder Viña and Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo.
This time we will be based in Bariloche and given the huge travel distances we may not see much of wine country. Still we plan to checkout as many Patagonia wines as possible.
Buenos Aires
Some call Buenos Aires the Paris of South America. It is definitely that and more. It is after all the city of tango. The typical thing to do when you visit Buenos Aires is the touristy stuff. Last time we did some of that (San Telmo, Recoleta Cemetery, Peurto Madero, etc.).
Overall, we just took our time to explore the city and did a lot of walking in the Palermo neighborhood where we stayed. The more we explored Palermo, the more great eateries we found. Bodega Fin del Mundo, a Patagonia winery with a bodega and restaurant in Buenos Aires. Besides revisting Fin Del Mundo this time we will checkout the wine bars, tasting rooms and those secret retaurants.
 |
| Bodega Nubes Vineyard, Cafayate © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Argentina is Calling © Spaswinefood |
First: Cafayate, Salta
When you think of Argentine wines most likely you think first of Mendoza. Mendoza is undoubtably a great wine region. However, Salta is a region that produces wonderful wines, especially in the Cafayate area. Spaswinefood was most fortunate to have visited Bodegas Etchart, Bodega El Esteco, Bodega Nanni, Bodega Nubes and Colomé last time.
I still remember our earlier drive through Salta Province. It was a totally awesome experience where we experienced colorful grandiose landscape. Salta is known for Torrontés, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Tannat and Merlot wines. In Salta Province we drove to the small town of Cafayate. Cafayate is a sub-region within Salta Province, which is held in high regard for the overall quality of its wine. It is located in the southern part of Valles Calchaquíes, with an altitude of more than 1,800 meters. We look forward to re-discovering the town of Cafayate and visiting wineries in the area.
 | ||
Cafayate Wine Country © Spaswinefood
|
Next: Mendoza
No trip to Argentina is complete without visiting Mendoza’s wine region. Mendoza Province is the largest wine-producing region in Argentina. When most think of Argentine wines they are most likely to first think of Malbec. While Mendoza produces great Malbec it also produces other great wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and Bonarda.
Mendoza’s wine region consists of three vast artificial oases (Oasis Norte, Oasis Sur and Uco Oasis). The capital city of Mendoza is located in Oasis Norte, which is irrigated by the Mendoza and Tunuyán rivers. The Diamante and Atuel rivers irrigate the Oasis Sur and Uco Valley Oasis by the Tunuyán River. All three rivers Atuel, Diamante and Tunuyán have their origin in the Andes.
 |
Bodega Alta Vista Cellar © Spaswinefood
|
Next: Patagonia
When most think of Patagonia they think of polar fleece and the need to keep warm. What is not well known is that the Patagonia region covers one third of Argentina. Patagonia extends from Rio Negro Province to Terra del Fuego, at the tip of Argentina. This extensive area has a wide climatic range. Northern Patagonia has two wine regions centered around the river valleys of the Rio Negro and the Rio Neuquén. During our Américas trip we were fortunate to have the opportunity to sample wines from both regions and visit Neuquén Province. Neuquén Province is known for Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Two Patagonia wineries near Rio Neuquén that we discovered during our travels were Familia Schroeder Viña and Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo.
This time we will be based in Bariloche and given the huge travel distances we may not see much of wine country. Still we plan to checkout as many Patagonia wines as possible.
Buenos Aires
Some call Buenos Aires the Paris of South America. It is definitely that and more. It is after all the city of tango. The typical thing to do when you visit Buenos Aires is the touristy stuff. Last time we did some of that (San Telmo, Recoleta Cemetery, Peurto Madero, etc.).
 |
| San Telmo Tango © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Sidewalk Dining, Buenos Aires © Spaswinefood |
I invite you to join me in my travels in Argentina and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
January 2017
Enroute to Buenos Aires, Argentina
Enroute to Buenos Aires, Argentina
Oh we miss Argentina!
ReplyDeleteI will always miss Argentina
Delete