Today was all about being borderline alcoholics. We booked an all day winery tour in the Lujan de Cuyo area of Mendoza. It was amazing. Adam (owner) of Mendoza Wine Camp was wonderful. All day meant starting at 9:10 and ending at 6:00.
Summary - 4 wineries, 1 six-course lunch with wine pairings, 20 - 22 (lost count) different glasses of wine.
Mendoza wine, because of the climate and soil has a high alcohol content, 14% - 16%, and it is important to have a driver. The first tasting was at 10:00 a.m., but hey, it was 5:00 in Abu Dhabi.
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| Andes (6000 meters) overlooking the Casarena bodega. |
Unlike in the US, you cannot just drive up to a winery and go inside for tastings. You have to know people and make arrangements. Adam is an American ex-pat and has lots of contacts. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the area, its wine history, how the grapes are grown, etc.
Interesting fact: Mendoza wineries have very little problem with pests. This is mainly because they receive an average of 8 inches of rain annually. (John is loving the desert climate. I hope he's not thinking of becoming an ex-pat.) Therefore, it is rare for the vineyards to need to use any pesticides. Although, not labeled or promoted as "organic," the wines nearly are.
In the original days of wine production in Mendoza, concrete vats (rather than stainless steel) were used to ferment the wine. Many wineries still use them.
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| Concrete vats at Clos de Chacras |
Our group of three couples were great; retirees from Napa and a young couple from Amsterdam. We really complemented each other and added to the enjoyment of the day.
Adam planned a special event at the Bodega Danté Robino. Each couple played "winemaker" and created a blend. Then, everyone did a blind taste test, including the winery experts, and voted on their favorite. The winner would get to take home a bottle of their creation.
The Wheatfield Reserva 2015 won!
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| Creating our special blend - 50% Malbec, 25% Bonardo, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon |
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| The bottling step - don't spill any! |
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| The now famous Wheatfield Reserva 2015 |
The tour included a six-course lunch with wine pairings at Casarena. Each course was small (thank goodness) until the end, when we were served a large beef tenderloin. Fortunately, it came with two green beans, the first vegetable we've encountered since we left the US.
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| That's a lot of glasses! |
Our last stop was a single vineyard, family owned winery: Familia Cassone. The owner, Frederico, gave us a tour and talked about his family history. His great-grandfather started the winery and it is still in the family. Frederico studied at UC Berkeley and UC Davis. He runs the business and his lawyer brother helps as needed.
Some of his vineyards are over 100 years old and are still irrigated with flood irrigation. His special touch was letting us taste a new wine, not yet bottled.
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| Tasting room at Familia Cassone |
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| Beaker with the new wine, straight from the barrel. |
The wine has been wonderful. Our first night, we ate at Azafran. They have no wine list. Instead, the sommelier takes you to the cellar, asks what you have ordered for dinner, and then makes suggestions. Several restaurants in Mendoza have this system.
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| Tough decision |
Internet here is weak and intermittent. This is my only Mendoza post and I'm overloading it with photos. Doing this again tomorrow would be frustrating.
Next stop, Montevideo on Christmas Eve.
Our lovely inn: Villa Mansa and the vineyard dogs.
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| This beautiful dog is huge. And very friendly. |
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| John and his new friend, standing guard. |
Three of the six courses.
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| Cow's Tail with Couscous |
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| Tuna with pear and sweet potato purée |
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| Beef Tenderloin with 2 Green Beans |
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