Malbec, Malbec, Malbec

After the miserable 14 or so hour bus ride from Buenos Aires to Mendoza in semi-cama (which are seats that recline a little further than those on a plane and are totally not made for a 14 hour haul anywhere), I decided that from here on out the maximum I am willing to travel by bus is 7 maybe 8 hours.

Mendoza is Argentina´s largest wine-producing region and is located directly east of Buenos Aires. I arrived with just over 4 hours of sleep and swollen ankles, aka "kankles," (it literally took 3 days for the swelling to go down).

While in Mendoza I met a wonderful Irish/English couple, Jill and Patrick, who also endured the long bus ride from BA. The 3 of us agreed that the highlight of our stay in Mendoza was the "picada" that we had during the all day wine tasting tour in Maipu (roughly 20 minutes southeast of Mendoza). Hands down, if you ever go to Mendoza you have to take the all day wine tour. For 150 pesos or $43 the "picada" alone was worth it!! Picada is kind of like tapas but way better or at least this one was.

After visiting 3 wineries we were taken to a 4th winery for lunch. We walked into this room where two long wooden tables covered from one end to the other with the most brilliant display of cheeses, meats, vegetables, rice, beans, etc, etc that I have ever seen awaited us! And that was just the first course! As soon as I´m able to upload some pictures you´ll see what I mean (I´ve been having some technical difficulties)!