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The Wine Trail in Mendoza, Argentina in ArgentinaSeptember 09, 2009
Por Ale Mcalister
This Argentinean city, was founded in 1561, Mendoza is the regional metropolis of the area called Cuyo and counts with an important commercial industrial, cultural development.
For those who love hiking climbing mountains and practice this at a professional level, Mendoza is the center of activities that consist of hiking and climbing the Andes and Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the American continent which divides Chile and Argentina.
Mendoza city is border to Chile, so if you want to go driving, adventure and enjoy the wonderful mountain range and see the snow during winter time. To do this, you must check the weather conditions to make sure there isnt a snow storm in which normally they close this path and is really a hassle to wait. There is a tunnel that divides both countries. To drive from Chile to Mendoza, it takes around 4 to 5 hours to get there in summer and in winter a little more. You drive from the capital city of Santiago in Chile up to the north city of Los Andes, in the Aconcagua Valley, which is part of the wine route together with the popular catholic sanctuary called Santa Teresita de Los Andes. Then literally twirl up on the mountains and pass by the amazing international ski resort of Portillo then at the very top of this mountain is the Paso Los Libertadores, border of Chile with Argentina.
In the Great Mendoza Province, there is an industrial area separated from the residential area. One of the many attractions of Mendoza is the Ski Center Las Leñas, 230 hectares for Skiing in Valle Hermoso lodging.
One of the main attractions for wine lovers is the wine route near the Andes mountain range. This route starts from the Aconcagua Valley in Chile, crossing the frontier path through the Andes Mountains towards Mendoza.
The province of Mendoza is the most traditional winemaker in the wine industry of Argentina and the vineyards settled are worth to visit. Some of the outstanding vineyards are : Lopez, Valentin Bianchi, San Telmo, Escorihuela, Cellars Weinert, J&F Lurton, Trapiche, Flichman, Rural, Norton, Felix Lavaque, Lagarde, Navarro Straps, Nieto Senetiner, Goyenechea, and Chandon.
The extension of the province of Mendoza is divided in zones, as their weather conditions, altitude and soil are completely different from each other.
High Zone of the Mendoza River: With an altitude of 800 to 1,100 meters over the sea level and diverse microclimates, almost all Noble varietals adapted easily here. Among them we can highlight the Malbec grape.
North Zone: This area is suitable for all the white and fruity whites and early reds, with an altitude of 600 to 700 meters over the sea level.
East Zone: With a range of 600 to 700 meters height over the sea level and in this area has the highest wine production of the province of Mendoza.
Valley of Uco: This area is cooler as it is located in mayor altitude (between 800 and 1400 meters over the sea level), most of the vineyards are located in The slopes of the mountain range feet. Here the wines achieved a very good acidity.
San Rafael Zone: With heights that go from the 450 to 800 meters in altitude. The Denominations of the Wine Origin is named after San Rafael and implemented in 1993.
Within Argentina, one of the most important winegrowing regions is the Province of Mendoza as we mentioned before and concentrates 70 percent of the fine wine vineyards of the country. Its annual production reaches 10 million hectoliters. Important city for the winemaking industry, gathering in South America. Malbec wine is the most outstanding wine recognized in the International Market together with others.
Guided tours are available in each of the Vineyards together with accommodation, offered in some boutique vineyards or hotels in Mendoza. Each vineyard, has guided tours to the wineries to observe the traditional and modern techniques of wine making, together with tasting mentioning MALBEC as the main type of wine in this area, without leaving behind the red, pink and white.
To visit each vineyard it is necessary to make a reservation for the each visit and accommodation if available or you can book your hotel directly in the city of Mendoza for a better service in the case you dont have available rooms of limited capacity in the vineyards. Its recommended to take your own guide to the site, as the distances from Mendoza to some vineyards is long, as well as you will get a better service to get to the site and know more about the story of the area too.
