Valle Argentino (Argentina)

The Uco Valley (Valley de Uco) lies along the Tunuyán River and has been the new Eldorado of Argentinian wind-growing for the last ten years. In fact, numerous foreign investors, having spotted the business opportunity presented, have established vineyards on these lands. Surrounded by the mountains of the Andes, this wine-growing region benefits from a favourable climate and good quality soil for vine cultivation. Sémillon and the famous Malbec are the main varieties of grape grown.

The Uco Valley along with Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu make up Argentina's Wine Route. Whether you're a fan of wine or not, you're guaranteed to be enchanted by this charming region at the foot of the Andes. Wine cellar visits, tastings, restaurants, spas, horse trekking, cycling: these are just some of the various activities available.

Even though I would say this area is too commercialised (I tend to prefer little local wine cellars), the Uco Valley is definitely an enjoyable place to visit for those travelling as a couple or with friends. 

Visiting Mendoza when in Argentina is a bit like touring the regions of Bordeaux or Bourgogne when in France. As you may well have guessed, one of the area's main attractions are the "bodegas" (wineries); and especially the roads that lead to them, preferably travelled by bicycle. Unlike France, however – and to really set the scene – snow-capped mountains are what form the backdrop here!

There are various places you can set out to explore this wine-growing region from, with Maipu, which is definitely the best-known, offering the decided advantage of being the closest to Mendoza. Following advice offered to me by several of the locals, I also went to visit the visually splendid Uco Valley area too. The wines of that region are supposed to be the best in the country (indeed the whole world), so as a native of Bordeaux myself, I felt curious to check out the competition. I had no choice in the matter you understand: I simply had to form my own opinion … completely impartially of course. And as for the wines, I found myself won over on repeated occasions; though you'll of course have to judge for yourself. Additionally, the scenery in the area is something that simply has to be experienced, especially the sight of the sun rising over the vineyards. One thing to mention though is that the bodega tours have to be paid for, which amounts to a not insignificant addition to your budget.