Argentina Wine Tours – Fancy a Drop?
Argentina is a magnificent country – and when you are there, you should check out many of the Argentina Wine Tours that are held in their wine growing regions. This stuff isn’t as famous as other wine growing regions, by my of my, the wine made here is superb – even better, it won’t burn a hole in your pocket!
You can judge how ingrained a wine culture is in a country by simply buying the cheapest bottle of plonk to test how good it is. I bought one for about $AUD0.80 and it was really good! If I bought alcohol for that price in Australia, it would be classed as methylated spirits!
The Mendoza region, not far from the Chile border, contains around 800 wineries (yes, that’s right, 800) and is a good place to undertake an Argentina Wine Tour. I tried to visit them all, but I could only manage two.
Wines from Mendoza usually specialise in the red varieties, including the supberb and velvety Malbec (wash down a big steak with one of these). The San Juan region to the north specialises in white varieties.
But check out the size of this wine barrel I witnessed on an Argentina Wine Tour! I felt like placing my mouth underneath the tap Homer Simpson style and taking a few gulps!
‘Yes, I’ll take this one!’
If you want to find out more about the magnificent Argentina Wine, check out Wine Routes of Argentina and The Wines of Argentina, Chile and Latin America.
Other things to do in Argentina after pickling your liver with some fantastic wine drunk on an Argentina Wine Tour – check out the state of their banks, some Beaver Dams, and scoff down a few tonnes of the Best Steak ever!
You really need to go to Argentina – see why here:
- Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina – a great place to chill your six pack of beer
- The Best Buses In The World
- Evitas Grave in Buenos Aires, Argentina – An Interesting Mausoleum
- Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil – How To Wet Yourself
- Boca Juniors Stadium – A First Hand Experience of South American Football: La Apertura
- Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina – Funny Grave Site and Head Stone
- Argentina Wine Tours – Pickle Your Liver at Mendoza, Argentina
- Falkland Islands War Memorial in Buenos Aires – The Ultimate in Irony
- See Beaver Dams – In South America
- Best Steak In The World: Don’t Cry For Meat… Argentina…
- Global Financial Crisis – If you thought US Banks had an image problem..
I do love the Malbec wines too! Try the Trivento if you find them, they’ve got an excellent Malbec at an affordable price. And a good white one too.
If you’ve got some names to post, I’d be interested!
.-= Luc J´s last blog ..$0.01 Drill Dust Collector – Ceiling =-.
I agree, I’ve tried them already! Problem is that the Malbecs are a bit more-ish!
Hello !
I`m Jessica from I was in Mendoza last summer, and I have to say that the wine prices are extremely cheap, if we compare with the prices in US, but anyway prices are not the only “impresive thing” in Mendoza. They have amazing landscapes, excellent food and of course high quality wines wherever you go.
I enjoyed a lot the trip thanks to Mendoza Holidays, a boutique travel agency, who specializes unique, high quality, intimate wine tours. I definitely recommend them.
yes, the most of the vineyards and wine industry are located in Mendoza, beside there are also festivals honoring melons and tomatoes, plus the Festival de la Tonada and the Fiesta Folklórica-ecuestre.
Eh hey! Mendoza! Too bad I missed it on my trip thru’ Argentina. Loved Malbec yes!
Hello. I have done a few wine tours over the years in France and California. I’m really interested in going to Mendoza sounds great. I had no idea there was such a vast amount of vineyards, I can imagine ones spoilt for choice. I’ve never been to Argentina but have heard many good things. Just reading about a juicy steak and a glass of Malbec is making me want to go now!!
Anyway great to know for the future, perfect vaccation for 2010.
.-= Gary@Budget Hotels´s last blog ..Festival Internacional Cervantino, Mexico =-.
I have tried the Trivento and my goodness, what a wine. can’t recommend it highly enough. I love that image there in the article and the caption. It made me chuckle.
.-= Quality Hotels´s last blog ..Prince Hotels =-.
Definitely some great wine in Mendoza, many Americans miss out on Malbec because it isn’t produced well domestically. Plus, much of the truly great Malbec stays in South America. Seeing the size of the barrel, I can’t imagine the two wineries you visited were exactly small producers, great blog entry!
Thanks for the comment! Yes, the wines are extremely good value in Argentina! Have to go back there soon!
I have to agree–the wines in Mendoza are some of the best in my book. And I wouldn’t say only for value either. Argentine wine-making has come a long way.
If you’re ever in Mendoza again, I’d really recommend checking out a few particular vineyards. First and foremost is Bodega Bressia, probably my favorite winery in the whole country, producing only four top-quality wines and probably the most drinkable Malbec in the whole country.
Another great winery (and a better value) is Pulenta Estate. Literally every wine from that bodega, no matter how cheap it may be, is good, and its icon-level Gran Corte (which goes for $45) is easily the cheapest, but one of the best, icons I’ve had in the country.
Finally, try out Bodega O’Fournier. Their B Crux (a Malbec Blend) is one of my favorite value wines, and its higher level A Crux wines are even better.
By the way, about the photo you took, does it by chance come Bodega Weinert? I remember seeing one HUGE wine barrel like that, but only at two wineries in my travels throughout Mendoza.
I have no idea where the big wine barrel is! I thought it would look cool in a photo!
That looks like a huge barrel you’ve got there.
Its amazing to find a such a lovely wine tour once you step out of the mind set of trying to find every thing in North America. There are such fantastic places in the south america which are not to be missed!
I’ve always wanted to go on a wine tour through Argentina. I think it’s a great country and the culture is also fascinating.
Ps: Im also a big fan of Lionel Messi, but that’s a whole other story.
Good post!