The Vines of Mendoza | Blog

Archive for August, 2009

Interesting & Fun Facts About Argentina PART II: Culture

Friday, August 7th, 2009
  • Argentina comes from the Latin term “argentum”, meaning “land of silver”.
  • The official language is Spanish.
  • Roman Catholicism is the country´s formal religion. In fact, until 1994, the elected President of Argentina had to be Roman Catholic per law.
  • The popular dance form ‘Tango’ belongs to Argentina. The Tango, born in the immigrant populated outskirts of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. It is now worldwide known for its music and glamorous dance.
  • The other important musical branch is the folklore in different regional styles, like the zamba from Salta or the chacarera from Santiago del Estero, among others.
  • The Teatro Colón, situated in Buenos Aires is one of the prime opera houses in the world.
  • Argentina is well known for the high level of education of its people. Several Nobel prizes are testimony of that.
  • The Argentinean medical doctor, Ernesto Guevara, who was also a poet, philosophical writer, and the champion of the revolution in Cuba, became an icon of international fame during 1960s.
  • Dr. René Gerónimo Favaloro (July 12, 1923 – July 29, 2000) was an Argentine cardiac surgeon who created the technique for coronary bypass surgery.
  • The cuisine of Argentina is largely influenced by mainly that of Spain and Italy.
  • Argentina is renowned for its beef. A favorite cut is the “bife de chorizo”, served tender and juicy, but all cuts are of very high quality. Roasted over charcoal or wood, we also find “chorizo” (pork sausage), “molleja” (gizzard), “chinchulines” (tripe), riñones (kidneys) and “tripa gorda” (large intestine).
  • Among regional foods are “empanadas” and “locro criollo”. “Empanadas” are pastries filled with minced meat, chicken, corn, or vegetables; different Argentine provinces have their own special recipes for “empanadas”. The “locro criollo” is a stew made with cow meat, potatoes and corn.
  • Mate is the traditional tea and drink of Argentina and a huge part of our culture. Regardless of what part of the country you are visiting, or what time of year you are here, you will inevitably see mate drinkers scattered along the way.
  • The most widespread and a great passion of many Argentines is soccer. Winner of two world cups and breeder of world stars. The best known clubs are River Plate, Boca Juniors, Independiente, Racing Club and San Lorenzo. If you are in Argentina you can not miss attending to a soccer match!

Haciendo Asado y Tomando mate

Football fansTango dancersTomando Mate

Source: www.pioneros.com.ar / www.wanttoknowit.com / www.wikipedia.com

Pictures: www.flickr.com



AMAZING SYRAH!!!

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Bressia Logo

Yesterday afternoon, we visited Bressia Winery as part of our wine training circuit.

Mary Bressia and Walter Bressia Junior received us and as always, we had a great time and tasted amazing wines. In this occasion, we could taste their most recent wine launched into the market just a couple of days ago; Bressia Monteagrelo Syrah 2007.

Fortunately, I have the chance to talk to many winemakers in Mendoza, including our famed consulting winemaker Santiago Achaval, and most of time, they agree that Syrah is one of the red grape varietals with an exciting latent quality but that it hasn’t been explored as much yet in Argentina.

Well, I have to say that Bressia’s Syrah, confirmed this encouraging notion towards this varietal.  It is a powerfully flavored and full-bodied Syrah. It has a wide range of aromas ranging from violets to blackberries, white pepper and as it breathed some earthy notes and leather could be felt. Well- balanced and velvety with a finish that is not extremely long but absolutely pleasant!

Just for you to start imagining this syrah, taste some of Bressia wines we have available in our On Line Store.

Bodega Bressia

Picture 1 of 6



Interesting & Fun Facts About Argentina PART I: Data & Statistics

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Our Vast ArgentinaArgentina's Flag

  • Argentina is the 8th largest country of the world, spreading over an area of approximately 2,766,890 sq km.
  • Argentina is about 3,900 km (2,500 mi) long from north to south, and 1,400 km (870 mi) from east to west
  • Argentina has 4,665 kilometres (2,899 mi) of coastline.
  • Argentina is situated in South America and stands bordered by Paraguay and Bolivia in the north, Brazil and Uruguay in the northeast and Chile in the west and south.
  • It ranks third in South America in total population and 30th globally, with approximately 40 million people. Argentina’s population density is 15 persons per square kilometer of land area, well below the world average of 50 persons. Buenos Aires having a population density of over 14,000 inhab./km², while Santa Cruz province has fewer than 1 inhab./km².
  • Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, is the 3rd most populated city worldwide.
  • 98% of the population of Argentina can trace their roots to Europe, mainly from Italians and Spaniards.
  • Argentina comprises of the British controlled territories of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and 969,464 sq km of Antarctica.
  • Iguazu Falls of Argentina are even higher than the Niagara Falls.
  • Aconcagua, at 22830 feet (6959 meters) is the highest point in the Western and Southern hemisphere.
  • Moreno Glacier of Argentina is amongst the few glaciers in the world that are advancing.
  • The hottest and coldest temperature extremes recorded in South America have occurred in Argentina
  • The country’s territory offers a wide variety of climates: subtropical in the North, sub-Antarctic in the southern Patagonia, and mild and humid in the Pampas plains. Media temperature from November to March is 23° C (73 °F), and 12° C (54 °F) from June to September.
  • Argentina is divided into twenty-three provinces (provincias; singular provincia), and one autonomous city (commonly known as the capital federal, but officially Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires)
  • 86.4% of Argentina’s population self-identify as European descent. An estimated 8% of the population is mestizo. A further 4% of Argentines were of Arab or East Asian heritage.
  • Up to 25 million Argentines have some degree of Italian descent, around 60% of the total population.
  • Historically, around 90% have indentified themselves as Roman Catholic according to different surveys
  • After resignation of President de la Rúa, three presidents followed in quick succession over two weeks!
  • Domestic instability and global trends have contributed to Argentina’s decline from its noteworthy position as the world’s 10th wealthiest nation per capita in 1913 to the world’s 36th wealthiest in 1998.
  • Argentina is one of the world’s major agricultural producers, ranking third worldwide in production of honey, soybeans and sunflower seeds and is ranked as fifth in the production of maize and eleventh in wheat.
  • Argentina is the 3rd biggest producer of beef in the world.
  • It is the 5th largest wine producer in the world.
  • Mendoza Province is the most popular and the biggest in terms of wine production.
  • It is the 6th largest wine consumer in the world.
  • Argentina is a major producer of motion pictures. The world’s first animated feature films were made and released in Argentina, by cartoonist Quirino Cristiani, in 1917 and 1918
  • Argentine women go through the maximum number of plastic surgeries in the world, per person. Argentina is perhaps the world’s most looks-conscious country in the world.
  • Argentina has one of the most competitive national soccer leagues in the world.

Source: www.pioneros.com.ar / www.wanttoknowit.com / www.wikipedia.com

Pictures: www.flickr.com