Chile & Argentina

[tim1210]

Hi all,

I will shortly be departing for a study trip to south america and thought I should get some recommendations regarding wine experiences in Chile and Argentina. Unfortunately I've only one week in Argentina (based around BA), but will have more time to explore in Chile.

So does anyone have any tips about particularly nice wine regions, wineries not to be missed etc? I'm primarily a red-aholic...

Cheers!

Tim

[Alex F]

If you are based around BA I don't think you'll be able to get to the wine regions in Argentina. In BA there are wine shops with wine tastings, but we did not manage to get to any... Maybe a outofthesquare idea would be to buy a nice one and take it along to a secret dinner (must book ahead) and share with others. Nominally you should look out for Malbec, but we got the distinct feeling that the cabernets were the wines to look out for (in terms of ageability, structure...)

However, Mendoza is definitely worth going to. There is a great wine bar in town (make bookings for their tastings), a wine region where you can cycle around quite easily, and another one with better wines/wineries but probably need car access. Alternatively there are premium (and premium prices) tours you can book onto that will take you to the Valley de Ucco, the upcoming subregion to make wine from. You can only visit smaller wineries either by booking ahead or with a tour, you can't just rock up...

The nice thing about Mendoza is that it is a overnight bus ride from BA, and on the way to San Tiago... (another very scenic ride over the pass). The buses are very good.

The wine region around San Tiago are supposedly much closer (some accessible by public transport from the city!), lonely planet did recommend a must see... but not that I would trust lonely planet too much anyway... we didn't go to any because we didn't have time.

[via collins]

I'm in agreement with pretty much everything Alex F has to say.

Next time I go, it's Mendoza for sure. Most restaurants I visited in BA were not too wine-focussed, and I'd expected so much more. Found most malbecs I tried unimpressive, but did enjoy some cabernets, and malbec blends.

Two long visits to wine retailers offered a lot more, really keen young sales folk with a passion. The Argentinian wines I bought home won't see daylight for a while yet, but I reckon they'll be beauts based on what I tasted. I'm sure you're already aware, but as Arg economy not strong, the prices for premium wines are extremely reasonable.

On the other hand, BA is such an amazing town in almost every way that for once I could drop my wine obsessions, and just enjoy....

Good luck, luck forward to your report.

[Wizz]

Concha Y Toro is pretty much in the southern suburbs of Santiago. There are wineries on the road from Santiago to Vina del Mar and Isla Negra as well, and the main wine regions in Casablanca, Maipo valleys arent far away.

[tim1210]

Thanks for your recommendations! I'll do a little more reading myself and let you know plans and, eventually, what I thought. At the moment Mendoza is definitely on the list... who could possibly resist cycling through wine country?! I'll definitely take up some of your other tips too.

Many thanks

Tim