Pruebalo!!

Did you know that of the 1,500 wineries in Argentina, Mendoza is home to 1,300 of these? One can spend a year tasting wines and visiting bodegas in this region and still not try everything. And so my task to know Mendoza inside and out is a large one. Good thing the work is fun. The best way to learn about a wine region? Try the wines!!

Bodega Mendel

After two weeks in Mendoza I can already tell this is going to be a tough place to leave. A city with the tagline "Wine and Sun", Mendoza is quite literally an oasis in the desert, snuggled up against the base of the Andes mountains.  Dozens of wine tour companies dot the city, offering full day excursions including amazing asado lunches, guided tours of wineries, and lots and lots of tasting. Tourists abound and more show up each day as we draw closer to the high season.

The locals are warm, friendly, and best of all, they really know their grapes. Granted, this does not stop them from downing giant bottles of Quilmes (the local form of Budweiser) or tall glasses of Fernet and Cola while hanging out at bars and cafes at night. They recognize a good value when they see one, and besides the 90 degree summer nights are a less than perfect pairing for a big, rich glass of Malbec.  Regardless, ask any Mendocino about the grapes and wine regions of the area, and expect a surprisingly detailed synopsis of the bustling wine industry here.  From cabbies to waiters to corner shop clerks, these people know their stuff. 


Delightful. That's how you know you're in the center of it.