Friday 4 March 2016

Up early again (getting tired of this!) for transfer from the hotel to the ferry terminal.  Of course the usual procedures with passports etc and security checks for bags but once on board it was a very comfortable crossing to the lovely old Uruguayan town of Colonia-Sacramento.  We were met by a guide who walked us around the cobbled streets and quaint houses and then we had free time to explore a little more and enjoy a beer and a sandwich along the way.  It was a two hour bus ride to Montevideo and then two hours before boarding the bus again for the evening event.  This was at Juanico Winery, an hour or so away.  By the time we got there it was almost dark but we did see some vines up close, in fact tasted some grapes straight off the vine -they were very small and sweet and were a variety called Tannat but I have to say that they tasted better off the vine than in the bottle!!!!

We were 20 people at two round tables, the room could probably have held a couple of hundred people and the tables were set for a 5 course dinner with matching wines.  

Started with a  glass of bubbly to match camembert on bread with a dried apricot, along with 2 delicious oils with extra bread.  Then salmon with a chardonney, meat balls with pasta for the first red, beef with the second red and a port style wine to match a chocolate tart with ice cream.  By now I think we are almost done with exotic/rich food and crave for baked beans on toast!!!!!  Or at least that would suit me! But during the night we were surprised and entertained by a couple dancing the Tango!  They were amazingly good, they danced three numbers then took a few of our group up to dance!  Wish I'd had my camera, missed a great opportunity for some good shots.  Thankfully I wasn't invited to dance!!!

The pics below are in the old town of Colonia.  

Thursday3 March 2016

At last!  A sleep in - woke at 9am and nothing planned until dinner.  We decided to just walk, didn't matter which direction as we are here for 6 days next week & will have things to do then.  Spoke to a guide outside the gates of Recoleta, he spoke perfect English, and we asked a couple of questions & then he suggested we should go to the bookstore on Ave Santa Fe so we headed that way.  Said it was so good it should be on the list of must see in BA.  Arrived outside & initially wondered why we would want to go to a bookstore that sold books in Spanish but luckily walked inside and wow! what a revelation!  The building is an old theatre, complete with box seats where you can sit and read.  It was amazing as you will see by the pics below.  We decided to have a beer while soaking up the atmosphere! 

Have been trying to buy a postage stamp since Chile - I have a birthday card to send  to LA - but it seems postage stamps can only be purchased at the post office so we got directions and I asked the girl if she spoke English.  Wasn't surprised when she said no so in my imperfect Spanish I asked to get a stamp for the card.  She took the card, looked at it, weighed it, contemplated, then said something and fortunately the man standing at the next counted butted in.  It seems she needed to know 'Express or regular' - we asked 'what's the difference?' Answer- about 15 days regular, 10-12 express!!!  Well, we all know it's a long way to Tipperary but BA to LA???? Price was twice as much for express too.  So I decided on regular and will have to send an email to my friend to tell her to count the days!  I also asked for 2 stamps for postcards to Australia as I have a friend who always asks for one!!!!!!!(no names)....... and that confused the PO girl to no end.  Anyway, a long story cut short, we were there 30 minutes, she photocopied everything, gave us a very formal receipt, and the total cost was $12.60. So, no complaints about Aust Post - wouldn't want to be sending Christmas cards from Argentina!  

Dinner last night was at a typical Argentine restaurant, just next door to the hotel.  So much food though.  Entree for everyone was a chorizo sausage, a potato mousse ball, and an empanada.  Followed by steak or fish - the steaks were huge and delicious.  They love their meat here!  No room for the ice cream!  

The church below is next door to Recoleta and the other pics are at the bookshop. 

Wednesday 2 March 2016

Up at 5 am for early breakfast at the hotel & off to the airport for flight to Buenos Aires.  Bags quite overweight but overlooked by the nice girl at the check-in!  Not so lucky for another couple though.  Problem is we have a weight limit for business class which far exceeds the limit for domestic so may be out  of pocket when we fly back to Santiago next week.  

We were served lunch here at the hotel in BA, the Melia Recoleta Plaza then some of us walked over to the Recoleta Cemetary.  This is like a little city, saw it 30 years go & think it has been cleaned up a bit since then.  Many people around, particularly to look at the tomb of Eva Peron.  

A quick gin & tonic in the bar before 5 taxis were ordered to take us to dinner and Tango.  Some of us enjoyed it more than others, maybe everyone was extremely tired as dinner wasn't until 8.30 and the show started at 10.30.  Several dozed off during the performance,  but we both had a good night.  Not sure what some people expect when they travel - why come to Argentina if they don't want to explore the culture????? 

Happy birthday Jan Swinburne 🍷🍷 and Kate Bowes 🍷🍷

Tuesday 1 March

Our last night at the Sheraton in Mendoza as we fly to Buenos Aires early tomorrow morning.  It's been such a busy three days - a cracking pace was set and we have visited 5 wineries within about 150 kms of  Mendoza.  Today we were in the Uco Valley.  The first visit was to O. Fournier, a winery with Spanish origins.  Savignon Blanc, Merlot and Carmenera were on the tasting list. 

Then we drove for about  an hour to Bodegas Salentein, still in the same valley.  Acres & acres & acres of vines along the way.  This valley has a micro climate and the altitude and pure sunlight as well as the day-night temperature variation makes for the production of some of Argentina's best wines.  Lunch was served before the tastings at this winery and it was up to the usual standard to which we have become accustomed!  Their reds were excellent.  The winery buildings have all been ultra modern and spacious - some have areas for classical music concerts and opera in the barrel rooms and there was a grand piano at Salentein today. But it was 5.45pm when we left so another long day.  

Tomorrow night we are off to see some Tango.  Went to a tango night way back in the 80's and it was a deadly serious performance so am hoping it will be a little more light hearted this time.  

On a totally different note, I can't believe (block your ears, Jane) that I haven't mentioned the mighty Pies win at the Cattery the other night.  Not a lot said about it here except for a slightly sarcastic comment that 'they've peaked too early'!!!!!!!! Oh well, maybe they have but a win is a win I reckon!!!!!

Monday 29 February, 2016

Hard to imagine how we could front up for yet another wine visit this morning but all but three were on board at 9.45!!!  Today we went to Bodegas Catena Zapata - a winery built in the style of a mayan pyramid.  It is a huge concern, with wineries in several different locations including the highest grape growing area in Mendoza.  The views of the Andes were absolutely beautiful.  Tatiana met us with a glass of bubbly then escorted us around the building offering different tastings in about 4 different rooms.  I think over the 5 hours we were there we tasted 13 different wines, some made for export and others made for the domestic market.  The Catena family (of Italian origins) are one of the most powerful influences within the Argentinian Wine Trade.  

Lunch was served and, once again, it was amazing.  Entree of freshly sliced tomatoes, basil oil and a creme fraiche followed by ribeye with chimichurri, potato mosaic and grilled vegetables then pavlova with berries, passionfruit and honey syrup! 

So, for dinner tonight, it's nothing!!!!! 

Sunday 28 February 2016

Off again at 5 pm for the 45 minute drive to Familia Zuccardi.  La Agricola is a large estate run by Jose Alberto Zuccardi, twice voted business man of Argentina.  They bottle their wines under many labels including Viejo Sucuro, Santa Julia and their premium "Q" single varietals, made only in exceptional vintages.  Familia Zuccardi also have an olive oil project.  

After tasting several wines we walked across the road to the restaurant for dinner.  This was an amazing affair, a degustation menu with wines to match every course.  And there were technically 9 courses!!!!  Menu below if you can read it!

The first course arrived in a wooden box, the salad was in a glass jar with lid and dressing on the side, individual baskets with 4 different breads sitting on hot rocks, corn cake with trout & avocado (all delicious), rabbit tempura, lamb, then the unusual desserts with a savoury theme.  Last to arrive was a board with 4 different petites fours each complimented by a different tea.  

I think the St Vinnies in Beunos Aires will be the recipients of a new cillection of cast off clothes from this busload!!!!! 

Sunday 28 February 2016

This morning we visited a smaller winery, a family-run estate called Familia Cassone.  Federico welcomed us like long lost friends - I've never seen such enthusiasm from a winemaker!  His wife Connie and two children were also in the welcoming party and we were shown around the winery before tasting their beautiful wines.  All 5 of the wines were lovely but their Malbec was exceptional.  Back to the hotel by 1 pm before a big night later on.  Had a toasted sandwich for lunch at a British Pub.  

Friday 26 February 2016

Today was a day of relaxation at the Manor House at Tarapaca.  Activities on offer were horse riding in the morning, golf on a 3 hole course with the use of 1 set of clubs and 4 golf balls!, or lounging by the pool.  At 11.30 Christian conducted a masterclass wine tasting, with a selection of wines we had not come across on our travels.  The last bottle was masked and we were advised to smell, gargle, blah blah as you do at a tasting and then to select the type of wine (obviously was from Chile).  With all the experts in the room who would have expected me to win the prize, GUESSING it to be a Syrah!  So the prize was a bottle of Pinot Noir which we will gift to Pablo in Beunos Aires!  

Lunch followed, another delicious BBQ.  They don't just serve a couple of lamb chops or a sausage in bread - we have the full catastrophe of empanadas followed by rare bbq beef, pork robs and chicken.  Then a dessert to follow.  Late afternoon we went on a carriage ride around the vineyard.  Drinks and dinner again on the terrace.  A few have gone down with tummy upsets - thankfully not us!  Yet!!!