Buenos Aires Wine Tour: More than Malbec

Argentina is one of the world’s most important wine producers. It's winemaking history dates back to the 1500s, but only relatively recently has it exploded onto the world stage, going toe to toe with established labels in France and Italy. This 2.5 hour Buenos Aires Wine Tour dives into that history while also tasting wines originating in Argentina's most sought after winemaking regions, and introducing budding oenophiles and experienced veterans alike to the grape varietals that thrive in the country’s diverse landscapes. Guided by a sommelier, we’ll enjoy tastings coupled with tapas in two different wine bars specializing in small producers, between which we’ll take a stroll through Palermo, the hub of the Buenos Aires food and wine scene.

 We begin the walk in the heart of Palermo Soho, a leafy, vibrant neighborhood known for its busteling restaurants and boutique shops. At our first port-of-call, a wine bar and store inside the famous Lo de Jesus Bodegon we start off with a dry white wine, over which we'll discuss the wonderful whites being made in a country dominated by red varieties. After having awoken our tastebuds, we’ll move to a red wine—but which? Argentina may be known for the grape variety Malbec, but offers great depth beyond this varietal.

After tasting our first two wines and enjoying some locally made tapas, we’ll explore the neighborhood by taxi or foot and discuss the how Argentina's turbulent economic and political movements, mainly Peronism, have affected the wine industry over the last 70 years. We will also discuss the three defining moments in Argentine wine history: the mid-1500s, when the first grapes were introduced to the continent, the 1800s, when the first big wave of immigrants arrived in the country, and finally the 1990s, when Argentine wine took off in popularity among export markets. These eras will help us to understand the drinking styles, grape varieties, and regionals in Argentina today. (Note: you can get a full understanding of the city’s past, present and future on our Buenos Aires History Tour.)

The next tasting will take place either at a chic wine bar in Palermo or at a private tasting home operated by the docent, where we will taste two more wines from different regions. Perhaps we'll enjoy a vintage from Patagonia, famed for its dramatic landscape and such cool-climate grape varieties as Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc, found in the Rio Negro and Neuquen valleys. We may also taste some high-altitude wines from Mendoza’s Uco Valley, the highest part of the region. Sitting on the foothills of the Andes, they produce intense reds with deep colors and aromas.

By the end of the walk, participants will have a deeper understanding of not only common Argentine wines, their growing regions and history, but a preview of the cutting-edge trends in winemaking influencing the next generation of Argentine winemakers. There will also be opportunity to purchase wine to take home and continue the discovery of Argentine wines. For food lovers, we recommend our Buenos Aires Food Tour that examines food traditions in the city’s oldest neighborhood of San Telmo.

NOTE: There is a mandatory $40 per person tasting fee that will be charged with your order. Tasting includes four glasses of wine and two servings of tapas.