Because 2 weeks of traveling isn’t enough
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12. Bodega Norton Malbec D.O.C. 2009
After a day of biking vineyards, we wanted to enjoy some wineries without physical exertion. The first obstacle to visiting the renowned wineries of Lujan de Cuyo is finding their phone number, calling the winery, and scheduling a tour. The second obstacle is getting there on time. Technically, tour agencies can arrange all of this…
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11. Carinae Malbec Rose 2008
Mendoza produces 70% of Argentina’s wine and 14% of the worlds. But at first glance, it’s a surprise anything can grow here, let alone fields upon fields of grapes. One winery tour guide informed us that it had not rained in 2 months. The grapes grow thanks to generations of irrigation from the nearby Andes…
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10. Finca Flichman Malbec Robles
Finca Flichman Malbec Robles 2008 ($8 in restaurant, $4 in store) Another great value wine enjoyed at a Mendoza restaurant. This Malbec is less fruity than the typical entry-level young Malbec, and you can taste the oakiness (roble in Spanish). There is a lingering taste of spiciness after each sip, and it goes surprisingly well…
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9. Los Arboles Malbec 2008
Arriving at 11:30pm in a city like Mendoza does not make a great first impression. It’s a nice city of about 100,000 residents, but after Buenos Aires it is a little underwhelming even during the the popular Saturday dining hour of midnight. However, there are two things that Mendoza offers in abundance. One of them…
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8. Crotta Moscato 200WhoCares
This wine is a cross between flat coca-cola and sweet vermouth, and even that is speaking too highly of it ($1 a huge cup). It is, however, the quintessential wine when eating pizza in Buenos Aires, and fortunately the quality of the pizza is much greater than the quality of this wine. Owing to its…
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7. Septima Maria Extra Brut
It should be fairly telling that they like champagne in Argentina given that in our very limited kitchen we have three wine glasses and three champagne flutes. The major french houses like Moet & Chandon and Mumm are setting up shop much like they have in California and are producing great bubbly for an even…
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Villa Crespo
The first day we wandered the streets around our apartment in Villa Crespo, we became overwhelmed by the grocery options. Strawberries and asparagus were stacked up neatly at the frequent vegetable markets reminding us along with the crisp sunny days that it is spring here. Steaks of sirloin, T-bone, or strip were being trimmed swiftly…
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6. Festivo Malbec
Festivo Malbec 2007 ($7.50) Another very nice wine recommended by our baker-cum-sommelier. This fruit-forward Malbec is a beautiful ruby red in the glass. This long weekend we’re headed to Mendoza, the heart of Argentinean wine country. Our sommelier advised us to spend a day visiting the big famous bodegas, but then to spend the rest…
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5. Equilatero Cabernet Sauvignon – Syrah
Equilatero by Portal Andino Cabernet Sauvignon – Syrah 2008 ($4) A dark and broody wine. This is a pretty complicated wine for its price point. It was recommended to us by the baker/wine “expert” at a charming cafe & wine bar. He described it as a smoky wine. Our favorite red wine so far, and…
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4. Tomero Sauvignon Blanc
Tomero Sauvignon Blanc 2008 ($10) After a day spent tromping around one of Buenos Aires’ many shopping districts, there’s nothing better than kicking your feet up, opening a chilled, screw-top bottle of a refreshing, effervescent wine, and admiring your new purchases.
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