Mendoza wine, Argentina
Wine is my mistress. When it comes to beer, we have a long relationship – at times turbulent and damaging but nonetheless comfortable and reassuring. But wine is an occasional flirtation, a dalliance with something more dangerous and exotic. It feels salacious, brings on urges I’ve tried to repress and reminds me of the thrills of chasing something new and forbidden.
Mendoza in Argentina is our love nest. The city and its surrounds are home to more than 980 wineries and there is no denying the lust-driven time we have spent together here.
I taste the attraction. Taste the smooth, easy warmth of the Carmenere grape, which is produced in only 50 wineries in the world. That it is so rare only heightens the experience.
I settle in with a glass of Malbec, the variety this region has made its name on. There are robust tannins and as I savour the wine’s strength in my mouth I also discover its delicacies. It gives itself to me and I embrace it.
A white wine seduces me. A Sauvignon Blanc, I believe. The cold crispness sends a shiver through my body before the sweetness is enveloping. We settle in for a while, enjoying the change from the abundant red wines and trying to make the moments last.
As I move from winery to winery in the Mendoza countryside, I’m struck with how small most of the wineries are. Only 200 are open for visitors and of those many require a booking and payment for a tasting. This is serious wine country for serious wine lovers. 30 varieties of grapes are grown here and each is regarded as some of the best in the world. Men like me looking for quick and inexpensive liaisons are frowned upon but thankfully there’s always somewhere looking for business of my kind.
Perhaps it’s love? Perhaps it’s lust? Perhaps to define it would be unjust. We had our days together, wine and I. A flirtation; a dalliance; a liaison; an indecent affair. Regardless, we did it in a shangrila of taste and textures – one we made our own.
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Turtle, like the name suggests, likes to take things slowly. Luckily that's one of the best ways to see the world - and that's exactly what he's doing at the moment.
This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.
11 Responses
“Perhaps it is love…..would be unjust” is in perfect rhythm for a a poem. I love your writing style, and way you describe the wine’s seducing charm.
Patricia GW recently posted..Floating in New York (An Insight on Life)
Ha, thanks for noticing my subtle attempt to become a poet! Watch out Keats!!
Wait until you get to Chile. I thought I would always be faithful to Argentina… Now I think an open relationship is best.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Beware the Sex-Crazed Troll in Chiloe
I’ve discovered what you mean. I feel quite lecherous with my over-indulgence…
Wow, I recently returned from San Rafael, Mendoza and had a lovely time. Your photography is stunning.
Franco recently posted..Volver a los 17
Did you have a favourite wine there?
Mmm..just the sound of ‘Carmenere grape’ makes me want a glass of wine right now!
Your post is a killer, especially for a wine-lover, like myself!
-Molly
Molly recently posted..How You Can Get Off Your Butt & Start Living Life Again!
You’re going to love it in Peru. The South American wine is so good (and so cheap!!).
We loved Mendoza! Those Malbecs are hardcore. (which is why you need those Sauvignon Blancs around!)
Kent @ NVR recently posted..Can I Help You Across the Street, Old Lady
If it wasn’t for the lack of room in my backpack, I would’ve taken dozens of those bottles of Malbec. So tasty!!