The Wine Insider: Salta and Mendoza

Each month in The Wine Insider we will highlight one of our destination wine regions and share some interesting tidbits of information about it's wines. Make sure to check out our Tips, Parings and Facts on the right hand side of the page.

Salta – Old Land, New Wines (well actually old wines too!)

So, you want to drink “New World” wines… Where do you go - Australia, New Zealand, California and South America, right?

Well, strictly speaking it’s true that European and Middle Eastern countries have been making wine longer, but “New” is a misleading appellation when you consider that South America has been growing wine grapes since the 17th Century! It’s even more incongruous when you look at the rest of the history of a region like Salta in the remote north-western mountains of Argentina. By the time you get here you’ll have earned the thrill you’re about to enjoy - a couple of hours by plane from Buenos Aires followed by a solid three hour drive through scenery that equals the Grand Canyon as you dodge herds of llama and goats along winding mountain roads. That’ll get you to Cafayate at least – the lowest of the region’s vineyards at about 4,500 ft elevation. To see the highest vines (in the world!) will take another two hours on the road, where at 8,000 feet you’ll be relieved to arrive at the Hess Collection’s delightful micro-hotel at Vi&ntidle;a Colomé.

Your adventure is nothing though, compared to the Inca traders who trudged through the craggy valleys of red, yellow, brown and gray and across flood plains of mountain rivers over 500 years ago on their 3,000 mile journey from Peru to Patagonia. For one thing you won’t be laying your head down in tents or stone huts every night as they had to! Sheraton has created Salta’s first 5-star hotel and vinotherapy spa, Los Patios de Cafayate on the El Esteco estate, and surrounded by the vines of Domingo Hermanos is the lovely Vinas de Cafayate hotel, where Peter our Tour Master had one of the best meals of a recent trip. You can see remains of the Incan exploits in the ruins of Cachi and Chicoana, on the road from Colomé back to the city of Salta; evidence of civilizations as venerable and sophisticated as any we had in Europe.

But never mind all that, you’re here for the wine, aren’t you? From such a unique place you’d expect something special, and you won’t be disappointed! Between the altitude and the latitude of this region - a sub-tropical mountain climate with less than 4 inches of annual rainfall, intense sunlight and a wide diurnal temperature range - this is a truly remarkable environment for grape growing... maybe there’s a reason that famed oenologist Michel Rolland fell instantly in love when he first visited here in 1988! Since then Rolland has worked with Arnaldo Etchard at his San Pedro de Yacochuya winery, producing stunning wines that turn heads around the world, and several other foreigners have now followed in his footsteps.

Both Argentinean and foreign investment has been pouring into the wine business since the Peso was devalued in 2001/2002, and the ensuing wineries in the Salta region embody state of the art technology with very attractive traditional design.

None of this investment is any use without a human commitment though - but there’s no lack of that up in these hills either. Young, dynamic, passionate winemakers, completely in touch with the rest of the world despite their remote location, are driving towards really first-class wines - at the same time still producing quantities of affordable, excellent cuvées that are some of the best values in the world. This is a definite “must see” for anyone who has a taste for adventure and great wine, culture, history and spectacular scenery!

A Tour in Salta and Mendoza

Mendoza is the capital of Argentinean winemaking - about 80% of the country's production comes from this province in the eastern slopes of the Andes. Famous for producing some of the best Malbec in the world, other European varietals such as Cabernet, Chardonnay and even Pinot Noir are enjoying a growing reputation - not to mention the white Torrontes originally from Spain's Rioja, which produce produces a fragrant, crisp white considered Argentina's best - even though it exports more of its more expensive Chardonnays. The region also produces some superb super-premiums which are often exciting blends of different grapes.

Salta, an up and coming region which is 600 miles north of Mendoza, is one of the most unique and exciting wine regions of the world. Vineyards are planted at 5,000 to 8,500 feet making them the highest vineyards in the world and providing the cool terroir and temperatures needed to preserve the fruity character of the Torrontes grape, as well as producing some excellent Malbec and other varietals. Driving through this region is "like diving through a huge version of the Grand Canyon" says our Peter Smith, and although it takes some effort to get there, it's worth it for the scenery alone not to mention the superb wines.

Inclusions

• 8 Nights - 9 days hotel in shared double/twin room
• Breakfast daily - 8 or 7 if flight to Salta is to early in AM
• Private chauffeured vehicle for transfers and tours with bilingual driver/guide
  (Note: transportation to/from dinner is not included, and will be arranged with local taxis as needed)
• 4 gourmet dinners including fine wines
• 5 lunches, including fine wines, at wineries or restaurants
• Tango show (with one of the dinners)

Wineries you may visit will be a selection of large and small producers. Visits are personally selected by Peter Smith, based on your preferences and his extensive experience in the region, and are often with winemakers who are personal friends of his such as Catena, Carmelo Patti, Achaval-Ferrer, Altus, Salentein, Luigi Bosca, Fabre Montmayou, Ruca Malen, Andeluna, Pulenta, Tapiz, Decero, Domingo Hermanos, El Esteco, Etchart, Lavaque, Nanni, Yacochuya El Porvenir, Mounier and Colome.

In Salta, your accommodation will be gracious, exciting and deluxe no matter what your preference or budget. You can choose from the 5-Star Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa, the new addition to the Starwood Luxury Collection, The Lodge at Bodega Colomé is one of the world's really unique hotels. Located on the estate that boasts the highest vineyards in the world - not to mention the oldest working winery in Argentina - this 9-room boutique hotel owned by the Hess Collection is truly in a class of its own.

In Mendoza, you can choose between Laras de Chacra, a delightful boutique hotel close to the city of Mendoza, and in Buenos Aires, we offer Alvear Palace Hotel which stands in the heart of the Recoleta, a refined quarter of the city with parks, wide avenues and an elegant architecture of classic style or the incomparable Four Seasons Hotel, South America's only "World's Best Hotel" recognized by Institutional Investor and rated in the Top 100 International Hotels, Resorts and Spas by Zagat in 2006. It too is located in the La Recoleta District, the cultural epicenter of Argentina. Your range of choices also include the boutique property Kempinsky in the heart of Recoleta as well as Ombú de Areco, a family-owned country house which is part of an authentic working estancia, or cattle ranch, about an hour north of Buenos Aires.

Pricing: Finally and maybe most important so you can enjoy all of the above and more because you'll enjoy an exchange rate that gives you more bang for every buck than almost anywhere. All prices are per person double occupancy (twin share) and ultimately depend on number of guests, preferred accommodation and type/size of vehicle. Private Driver/Guide Program priced from $3,899.00 per person double occupancy but can be as low as $2,659.00. Prices that "can be as low as" refer to lowest per person price possible based on a group (3 couples, etc) of six like-minded wine, gourmet dining and culture enthusiasts traveling together