Mostly wine related, perhaps a review of one or more wines, or a wine tasting. Sometimes other beverages as well – spirits, or even non-alcohol drinks, if you can believe that!
Las Piedras – Thursday afternoon found us sated from our veal and potato lunch and semi-dozing in the van as we headed for our next stop, Castillo Viejo outside the town of Las Piedras in the province of San Juan. This is another big operation, with about 325 acres of vines planted, and producing slightly… Read More The Old Castle
Colón – Yesterday morning as we passed out of the city of Montevideo and headed north we passed through the port area of the city. An interesting sight met my eyes, as I noted bundles of 15 foot logs, stripped of their bark, roughly 20 to a bundle, piled along the docks. Not just a… Read More 240 Years of Tradition
Carmelo – This community along the western edge of Uruguay has a population of a mere 16,000 people (including the “weekend ranch” of Argentine diva Susana Gimenez). The town is, simply, dominated by the winery Irurtia, the giant bottles of which are scattered here and there throughout the town. Dante Irurtia is the present day… Read More Grand Scale
Colonia del Sacramento – At the port yesterday I was met by my, as I put it, handler, Laura Nervi. She turns out to be a charming and delightful travelling companion, she’s an agronomist for the national institute of wine, INAVI, and handles touring around folk like me in all of her spare time. We… Read More The Hills of San Juan
Buenos Aires – It may have just been coincidence, or it may have been because he knew I’m heading to Uruguay next week, but my new friend, whom I shall call “Pierre” to protect his identity, chose an Uruguayan parrilla for our lunch yesterday. He’s a local food and wine writer and restaurant reviewer, and… Read More Chotos, Pamplonas, & Chajá
Buenos Aires – If you’ve never seen the movie The Scent of Green Papaya, it could be summed up in a nutshell as beautifully presented, and somehow engaging despite it’s lackluster acting and complete lack of plot. In many ways that parallels my thoughts about our visit last evening to Green Bamboo, Costa Rica 5802,… Read More The Scent of Green Bamboo
Buenos Aires – Off we went yesterday to the Far East for a stroll in the sun. Calle de Canal is a long promenade along the southeastern edge of the city, just the other side of Puerto Madero Este and just this side of the Ecological Reserve. In beautiful weather, like yesterday afternoon, it is… Read More The Far East & Steak
Buenos Aires – I’m just a soft touch, that’s the problem. I’d like to think not, but such is life. Somehow or other, last night, out walking around with Henry and his friend Damian, looking for a nice, casual, simple, and inexpensive plate of pasta, I let myself be talked into being seated at a… Read More Lola Lo Lo Lo Lo Lola