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ARGENTINA


FOOD & DRINK Inspired by the vine


Argentine wine — especially Malbec — is a global success story. Mendoza is the hub of the industry, with scores of vineyards welcoming visitors, but there are also several smaller, equally interesting wine regions to explore.


MENDOZA In the shadow of the Andes, the central-western province of Mendoza produces around two-thirds of Argentina’s wine, its climate and terrain perfect for big, punchy reds — above all Malbec, for which it has become synonymous. Vineyards blanket the plains and foothills, offering tours, tastings, accommodation and even wine-making sessions. It’s possible to join a small-group or private tour taking in several wineries with an operator such as Trout & Wine, which is based in Mendoza’s eponymous capital. One standout winery to visit is Salentein, which has its bodega, dubbed ‘the wine cathedral’, in the scenic Valle de Uco. Aim to visit during the February to April harvest, when


many vineyards allow visitors to help out with the grape picking. Mendoza city celebrates in March by hosting Argentina’s biggest wine festival, the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia. It involves a ‘blessing of the grapes’ ceremony, parades, live music, plenty of food and, of course, copious amounts of vino. mendoza.tur.ar troutandwine.com bodegassalentein.com vendimia.mendoza.gov.ar


CAFAYATE In northwestern Salta province, the Cafayate vineyards are among the highest in the world, averaging an altitude of over 1,600m. This combines with the dry, mild climate to make excellent Torrontés, a fresh, floral white wine. To learn more, check out the family-run El Porvenir bodega and visit the Museo de la Vid y el Vino, a wine museum in Cafayate town. elporvenirwines.com museodelavidyelvino.gov.ar


NEUQUÉN Patagonia doesn’t immediately spring to mind when you think of wine, but Neuquén province in the northwest of the region has a small and thriving collection of vineyards. They are centred around the town of San Patricio del Chañar, taking advantage of the low altitude, semi-arid conditions and wide-ranging temperatures to produce Pinot Noir, Malbec, Merlot and Chardonnay, among others. For tours, try Bodega del Fin del Mundo. neuquentur.gob.ar bodegadelfindelmundo.com


MAR DEL PLATA A short drive southwest of the seaside resort of Mar del Plata in Buenos Aires province, just four miles inland, the Trapiche Costa y Pampa winery is an experimental venture by a major Argentine brand. One of the country’s few coastal vineyards, it capitalises on the cold, wet climate to create invigoratingly fresh Chardonnay, Albariño and Sauvignon Blanc. trapiche.com.ar SHAFIK MEGHJI


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