Maipù

Today we headed off for a wine tasting in the Maipù region of Argentina which together with the rest of Mendoza province make up 70% of the wine production for Argentina. Whereas we weren't that impressed with the city of Mendoza, the region itself is stunning with a great view of the Andes and some really nice vineyards. The view got better with more and more Torrontes and Malbec, the two signature wines from this region of the world.

We went to two vineyards - an organic one called Cecchin and a mass production one called Zaccardi (whose wines are available at Systembolaget for you in Sweden) and they were two very different experiences. One was rather 'artesanal' and the other was very slick - like the Sandeman's port experience in Porto or some of the larger whisky distilleries in Scotland. So, the jury is out as to which we preferred. However, the wine was flowing more than freely at the Zaccardi vineyard, including during the lunch and so nobody was complaining.

We spent most of the time speaking German with two really nice guys from Berlin (Michael in the picture above) and Schwaben, however there were some Argentines from the very south and a good compliment of Brazilians - and my Portuguese gets much better after a Syrah Reserve (I mean whose doesn't)

Anyway, I need to siesta now and so more tomorrow following the horse riding!