Page 215 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

cuy o and the wine c ountr y  213

The Making of Mendoza Wine
Mendoza wineries produce countless varietals and blends,
including international standards such as Cabernet Sauvignon,
Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Their signature wines are the deep
red Malbec and the dry white Torrontés.
Torrontés, probably a cross
between an American and eastern
Mediterranean grape, is Argentina’s
characteristic white grape, and
produces a dry but fruity wine.

Malbec grapes were once abundant in southwest France
but responded better to Argentina’s arid west. The bluish­
black, thin­skinned, and soft­pulp grape reaches its highest
development in Maipú in Mendoza.
Newly harvested
grapes first undergo
a sorting pro cess and
are crushed lightly
to bring them in to
contact with selected
yeasts. Fermentation
then happens in
tempera ture­con trolled
stainless steel tanks.

Wine is among the
country’s premier exports
and has recently doubled
in volume and quality.
Malbec is the most popu­
lar and recog nized varietal,
alongside others such as
Syrah, Merlot, and
Chardonnay.
Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia
This wine harvest festival is Mendoza’s single
biggest event, with nearly 50,000 tourists
crowding the city. It takes place on the first
full weekend of March. The festival begins
with the Blessing of the Fruits ceremony and
ends with fireworks at the Teatro Griego.

The harvest festival, held since 1936, begins with
the grape gathering in January and February. It
culminates in March when people line the streets
to watch the Harvest Queen parade.
Teatro Griego in Mendoza’s Parque San Martín is
the venue for the Harvest Queen competition. The
complex holds about 22,000 people and thou sands
more view the events from the surrounding hills.

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