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Wine, vino, nectar of the gods. Whatever you want to call it, one of the best places to indulge in una copa is Mendoza. Mendoza is a stylish city in western Argentina, the fifth largest wine producing country in the world.
To the untrained eye, Mendoza may seem like an unlikely location for world-class wine production. The neighboring Andes throw a massive rain shadow across the valley, resulting in an average of only 200 millimeters of rainfall a year. But thanks to the indigenous Huarpe culture and their complex irrigation system, what was once a desert is now a bountiful agricultural oasis.
Mendoza Vineyard
The ancient system of rationing snowmelt water with channels and miniature flood-control gates, as well as the system of flood irrigation, are still widely used today. The high altitude and strong sun create the ideal climate for producing the coveted grapes that become full bodied wines. Viticulturists and wine connoisseurs travel to Mendoza not only to taste the wines, but also to learn about and participate in the region’s rich history.
Colonization brought to Argentina the Catholic Church and its demands for Holy Communion ingredients, which of course include wine. So in the 1550s, priests began planting the Criolla Grande vine to ensure a local supply of naturally fermented communion wine. Today, Criolla Grande accounts for a third of Argentina’s grapes, though they are now primarily used to produce low to medium quality table wines for domestic consumption.
A later flood of Spanish and Italian immigrants in the 19th century brought with them the higher-quality Old World grapes. It is thanks to these drink-loving settlers that Argentina today boasts a large quantity of varied and distinguished wines, such as Malbecs, Bonardas, and Cabernet Sauvignons.
Presently, Mendoza has about 1,000 vineyards that produce over 80% of all Argentine wine. Drink flows year-round in this high-altitude paradise, but one of the best times to take an Argentina wine tour is during the La Vendimia Festival—the wine and grape festival, which in Mendoza lasts from February through March.
Vendimia was first celebrated in the 17th century to commemorate the local wine harvest and made an official event in 1936. Now, the biggest show is saved for the first weekend of March when the city overflows with parades, street fairs, and the election of a Harvest Queen, La Reina de la Vendemia.
Liven up your Argentina vacation by attending some of Vendimia’s diverse harvest celebrations, making a special point to see the traditional blessing of the grapes by Mendoza’s Archbishop. However, if you plan to visit another time of the year, a great way to experience Argentina’s wine region is to take a Mendoza tour for a tasty mix of history, viniculture, and fun.
For more information on planning a Mendoza wine tour contact an Argentina For Less travel advisor.
Category: Argentina, Culture & Traditions
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[...] wine tourism and excellent dining options. For wine enthusiasts, the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia (National Grape Harvest Festival) occurs annually during the first weekend in March. During the [...]