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January 31, 2010 |
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There are over nine hundred wineries in Mendoza. That´s about one winery for every 89 people of the metropolitan area, and come February, each and every one of them will be gathering in celebrationof Vendimia, Mendoza’s largest festival. It´s a salute to harvest timewhen 150,000 hectares of vineyards are stripped of their fruit and a hopeful tradition symbolizing the prosperity of the year to come.
Vendimia was born in the 1600´s when the local population commemorated the annual harvest by blessing the grapes with thanks to their patron saint, and selecting the most beautiful young maiden to be their harvest queen. In 1936 the governor of Mendoza decreed it an official event. Since that time Festival de Vendimia continues to annually upstage itself. Queens are proudly showcased in a Miss Universe-style election, attended by roughly 40,000 cheering spectators. Glamorous parades fill the street and dozens of cultural celebrations of art, music and film are held. It’s a time when Mendoza is bubbling with big fun and big hopes. So, fill up your wine glass and empty your memory card; you’re about to experience Vendimia!
FEBRUARY:
Friday 5th. 20:30. Fiesta de la Vendimia de Tunuyán.
Venue: Teatro Municipal, Tunuyán.
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February 05, 2010 |
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LUJAN DE CUYO
Terrazas
de los Andes 
The fine wine sister of Chandon Argentina is a beautifully restored
bodega with well-appointed tasting room. Try the famous Cheval
de los Andes. Thames and Cochamaba, Perdriel. Tel. 488 0704/5
www.terrazasdelosandes.com
Tapiz 
Great wine lodge Club Tapiz, high-end restaurant Terruño and an
instructive wine tour that includes an invigorating horse and carriage
ride and a tank, barrel and bottle tasting. Ruta Provincial 15, Km 32,
Agrelo. Tel. 490 0202. www.tapiz.com
Norton 
Old-style cellars contrast with high-tech production line. Tank and
barrel tastings conducted at this huge facility and the jug fillings on
Thursday mornings are popular with the locals. R.P. 15, Km 23.5,
Perdriel. Tel. 490 9700. www.norton.com.ar
Renacer 
This Chilean-owned winery creates the label Punto Final, one of
Mendoza’s best value Malbecs. Small, modern operation with tour
that includes a hands-on lesson in blending. Brandsen 1863. Tel. 15
454 6023. www.bodegarenacer.com.ar
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February 06, 2010 |
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Carinae Prestige 2007
This delicious blend of Malbec, Cabernet
Sauvignon and Syrah is rich in complexity
and has hints of chocolate and caramel. It
has an incredible long finish and round, full
body. $150
Prodigo Malbec Reserva 2004
Italian winemaker Alessandro 
Speri is producing a delicious
Malbec with an intense floral
nose and hints of chocolate
and vanilla. $65
 Altos Los Hormigas Bonarda Colonia Los Liebres 2007
This usually sturdy grape gets the soft, fruity
treatment from one of Argentina’s most
respected wineries. Ripe and dense, it has
surprisingly warm tannins. $30
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February 09, 2010 |
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This story starts over 20 years ago when my wife Jan and I found
out about the incredible bargains available on around-the-world air
fares. We put it off for years but swore the day would come when
we would sell everything and take off to circumnavigate the globe.
In May of 2008 our time came. We sold almost everything we
owned and hopped on the plane for the adventure of a lifetime. As a
wine writer and a trained chef my itinerary leaned heavily towards
destinations with grapes and culinary delights. We tasted our way
through Eastern Europe and headed for Southeast Asia where we
were astounded to find wines being made in India, and even more
amazed at the quality of the wines being made in Thailand. We
ended our journey savoring the flavors of Chile and Argentina.
When we set out on our whirlwind adventure we were open to the
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