As I mentioned in my last post, Jules and I travelled to Mendoza, the land of Malbec and other beauties that we love...!
After leaving our daughters in the best hands, (Grandma) Jules and I met with our good friends at the airport... We were all so excited, all knowing that the next couple of days were going to be an adventurethrough vineyards & bodegas in the land of wine and wonderful mountains of Mendoza...
As so many holidays have started, we opened our first bottle of bubbly at 9am and made a toast to “life and fun”... The airplane almost left without us... as we were too busy chatting and planning our trip!
Upon arriving a big luxurious van was waiting to take us to our first destination... a beautiful restaurant surrounded by a little vineyard. I saw my first bunch of grapes hanging from a vine, it was wonderful and just the tip of the iceberg of what was waiting for me...
We enjoyed a magical lunch outside in the open air, tried many different wines like Rose with a perfect color, a white, red and... back to the Rose.... That rose was good! The weather was perfect, blue ski, sun shining and just a little bit of fresh breeze...
Back in the van we travelled for about 2 hours to an area called El Valle del Uco, where our friends have their own vineyard and bodega. The view was stunning, the majestic mountains decorated the horizon and amazing vineyards everywhere we looked..
The driver was a very friendly man and as the scenery changed he explained to us many interesting facts about the area we were in. One of which was that the water that ran alongside the road in small streams was the purest water coming directly from the melting ice in the mountains... "Really?" I said, "please stop the van, I have to drink this water"... My friends and Jules looked a little bit confused... I jumped out of the van with my very tiny heels (8cm) I rolled down to the stream and drank the fresh water. I felt purified... I shared that moment with myself and my friend nature... Maybe I am not that different from my Mami after all.. (Read my last post!).
Finally we arrived at our friends spectacular vineyard... We just dropped the bags off at our rooms and went straight to the bodega to see and learn everything about the process of wine fermentation, production etc. It was fascinating, and then of course we had to try all the different types. "Really?, if we have to...!!!” It was delicious!
With the sunset behind us and the biggest brightest moon I have seen for a long time for company, we walked to our cabins through the vineyards trying all the different types of grapes that grow in this region: Malbec, Torrontes, Syrah, Merlot and more...
Nearing the cabins the only thing I could see was a huge fire outside and when I was closer I could also smell the Beautiful Argentine BBQ in all its SPLENDOR... "Yei!!!" It was time for a quick shower, warm clothes and to enjoy the company of our friends, incredible food and yes wine; all of this in front of an amazing bonfire... This was a perfect day!
During the next three days we did pretty much the same... with the van picking us up at 10:00am to take us every day to a different region, vineyards and bodegas for three hour lunches, of course wine tasting and always finishing the night in amazing restaurants like Francis Mallmann 1884 in Mendoza city.
Some of the bodegas we visited were unbelievably huge, modern and gorgeous... But to be honest I preferred the boutique ones, they really have something special..
Apart from the vino I have to say that the laughter we shared with our friends was continuous and very special... We were kids and on many occasions behaved like them... I cannot give details but the word farting comes to mind... silly songs... plus a set of fake teeth that Jules brought with him, OMG...did we enjoy!
We love fun people that can enjoy the moment …. joie de vivre, (P.L.U's) "People like us" Jules says!THANK YOU FRIENDS!
The last day was just for Jules & I, we said goodbye to our friends that morning and then decided to go and explore another bodega.. Our last day in Mendoza was as magical as the other days.. We learnt a lot about wine and the particularities of this amazing land...
We will see you soon Mendoza and in the meantime take care of your wonderful grapes! ❀ Liana
