Archives » Tuesday, June 03, 2008
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Newsweek
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Jun 3, 2008 10:38 AM
By Kate Tedesco
NEWSWEEK's Kate Tedesco has been
covering Latin America on various fronts for more than a decade. She
spent a chunk of a recent trip to Argentina exploring the dynamic wine
scene, and its corresponding culinary and design boom, in the city of
Mendoza, which is fast developing an international reputation as the
“New Napa.”
Mendoza is nestled in the shadow of Acongagua, South America’s tallest
peak, and has some of the highest vineyards in the world, so in
addition to tasting world-class wine visitors can also take in some
stunning scenery. The desert-like climate and rocky soil don’t
necessarily make for easy agriculture, but area vineyards are irrigated
by a pre-colonial canal system that channels melting snow from the
surrounding Andes, and the challenging growing conditions contribute to
the depth and complexity of the region’s wines. Malbec, Argentina’s
signature red grape, thrives under Mendoza’s nearly-constant and
highly-concentrated sunshine, but there are also a number of excellent
local Cabernets and Merlots, and some younger vineyards are beginning
to diversify into edgier varietals like Shiraz and Bornada.
Taste: Start with a swing by the Vines of Mendoza, South America’s first regional tasting room (www.vinesofmendoza.com).
Its cozy courtyard garden serves as a gathering spot for enthusiasts of
all stripes, and the knowledgeable staff guide visitors through flights
of boutique local labels, many of which are not available abroad (and
all of which can be purchased and shipped back home at minimal cost
through their Acequia Wine Club).
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