Where do you stand on the cork versus screw cap debate? Perhaps, like several of the recent dinner guests around my kitchen table, you really don’t care, so long as the wines taste good and keep on flowing. Or maybe you are more in tune with the “natural is best” camp. So what are the facts lying behind both points of view?
If you’re not aware that Ushuaia is the world’s most southerly city by the time you arrive, you’ll learn pretty quickly. The capital of the fabled Tierra del Fuego is not shy about its ‘End of the World’ boast – it’s emblazoned onto anything that stands still for more than five seconds, from penguin-shaped pottery to all manner of nautical trinkets.
One of the most fascinating and compelling reasons for diving into the treasure trove of New World wines lies not just in the drum-roll of longer established flagship varieties and styles, but also with the emerging stars awaiting discovery.
Buenos Aires has the bright lights, Patagonia has the show-stopping scenery, Mendoza has the food and wine, but if it’s the beating heart of rural Argentina you’re longing for, you’ll find it on the country’s estancias.
Argentina’s borders stretch from Antarctic waters in the south to Iguazú waterfalls amid the subtropical jungles of the northeast. Needless to say, within its boundaries, nearly all known foodstuffs can be grown or pastured, making for a rich cuisine.
The world-famous glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, in the province of Santa Cruz, have finally got the visitor’s centre they deserve: the Glaciarium, aka the Museum of Ice.
Travelling through Argentina’s vast and beguiling landscapes leaves no doubt as to the incredible variety and contrasts found in this country’s wine regions. From the dizzying heights of northerly Salta, to the wind-swept southerly climes of Patagonia, experience Argentina’s terroir.
Most wine lovers will have munched on meat and Malbec and tangoed with Torrontés and summery fare but Argentina’s wines offer many other food-friendly temptations besides. And one of the most exciting finds is Argentine Pinot Noir.
Taking at least one overland trip in Argentina is a must and the only way to really appreciate the country’s vast size. A few trips later – and bingo games aside – you start to realise Argentina bus travel is akin to being on a plane.
Patagonia. The word alone stirs up evocative images, but ones that are sometimes misconceived. Is it a desolate hinterland or an Alpine wonderland? In reality, it’s both, and one of the best ways to experience this starkly beautiful landscape is to travel through it by train
FF# @GourmetPlaza #SM comida deliciosa, servicio buenísimo y excelentes vinos! @CatenaMalbec @ArgentoWine @LapostolleWine @BodegaColome
RT @vickybaker: Cycling in Buenos Aires is just beginning to take off. Here are some tips I wrote on the @argentowine blog http://t.co/XHwGxobM
@ArgentoWine @birdswithbottle @winesofarg Wonderful review..well done Argento...I'm opening a bottle as I type...Damn that's fruity!
Gracias, ladies! RT @birdswithbottle: @winesofarg Birds with Bottle love @ArgentoWine Malbec. See vid http://t.co/dGVcwn3y
The Real Argentina is brought to you by Argento Wine – we’ve got a real passion for everything Argentina and we want to share it with you. Our contributors and editors draw on first-hand experience of the country, from the vibrant culture and the delicious food to the exhilarating countryside and bustling cities – we love it all…
