US Airways - November 2012 - (Page 19)

explore Wine & Dine Taste, Savor, Enjoy An Unexpected Pleasure In the valleys just east of the Andes lies a wine lover’s paradise: Mendoza, Argentina. By Scott Jones # Buenos Aires is often tagged the “Paris of South America,” and with good reason. The culture, neighborhoods, culinary scene, and nightlife in both cities are second to none. Another shared trait is their proximity to world-class wine country — in the case of Buenos Aires, the Mendoza province in western Argentina. Plenty of top-notch vinotecas (wine bars) and restaurants in Buenos Aires pour wines from Mendoza, but an easy, two-hour ﬂight from the grand city on the coast gives you an opportunity to experience the region and its wines ﬁrsthand. The city of Mendoza, also the capital of the province, is the gateway to Argentina’s most renowned wineries and its tourist-friendly wine country. Add in an almost constant view of the snowcapped Andes and you have the recipe for a memorable side trip from bustling Buenos Aires. Now if your perception of Argentine wine amounts to inexpensive, ho-hum reds and whites, Bodega Renacer’s Enamore wine The vineyards of Mendoza it’s time to reconsider. A commitment to quality and a deeper understanding of the region’s various microclimates have dramatically improved the juice ﬂowing out of Mendoza. Today you’ll ﬁnd great wines with true ﬁnesse, especially in the malbec and chardonnay varietals. But don’t leave without trying bonarda (a rich, easy-drinking red) and torrontés (an aromatic, midweight white), also important grapes in the region. Many ﬁrst-time visitors ﬁnd Mendoza’s laidback atmosphere a revelation. To put it in California terms, the main wine-country destinations of Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, and Uco Valley have all the grand estates of Napa, in both classic and modern styles, with the more relaxed, jeans-and-boots vibe of Sonoma. Unlike Napa, however, wineries along this high-desert landscape are spread out; it’s often a 30-minute drive between producers, in some cases up to an hour. If you’re used to powering through ten or more wineries a day, you’ll need to adjust GETTING THERE US Airways ﬂies direct to Rio de Janeiro with connecting ﬂights via partner TAM to Buenos Aires. PHOTOS (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF MENDOZA TOURISM AND BODEGA RENACER WINERY IN MENDOZA GE Buenos Aires # AR NT Rio de Janeiro # A usairwaysmag.com NOVEMBER 2012 19 http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - November 2012

US Airways - November 2012
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Best Holiday Getaways
Hub Crawl: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Wine & Dine: Mendoza, Argentina Wines
Wine & Dine: Barbecoa Restaurant, London
Adventure: Thrifty in San Francisco
Adventure: Skiing Mt. Baker, Washington
Great Escapes: Red Horse Inn, South Carolina
Gear Up: Bar Ware
Making It Real: America's Historic Sites
Best of Education: Miller School of Albemarle
Silent Heroes: Honor Flight Network
Crossing Borders: Charlotte, North Carolina
Best of Health: Lankenau Medical Center
University Spotlight: University of Dayton
Celebrate Richmond, Virginia
Special Section: Chateau on Central
Must Read: Heisman — The Man Behind the Trophy
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Giving: Miles for Good
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - November 2012