Weinstadt Mendoza

For a change, the day started early. We had to be on the bus to Mendoza at the other end of the city at 9 a.m. The bus station was not where we expected it to be, but with the help of two police officers who accompanied us unsuspecting tourists all the way there, we found everything in time. The bus was delayed, so there was still plenty of time for a coffee. Expensive, but not tasty. Bus trips over long distances are common and very popular here. The vehicles are clean and comfortable, the staff is very nice, and there is a small snack package. So let's go over the "Los Libertadores" pass to Mendoza. Great views, vast land, wild rivers, and some snow-covered peaks - but very far away.

The border crossing into Argentina was completely unproblematic, it took an hour, about half of what is supposed to be usual.

Mendoza welcomed us very warmly, namely in the person of Javier, the owner of our reserved hostel. We had never experienced such a reception anywhere in the world. With a cold drink, Javier recommended two restaurants to us and booked a wine and an olive tour. We had come because of the wine. Mendoza is THE wine region of South America and one of our favorite grape varieties is primarily grown there - Malbec. Argentina has 2,000 wineries, around 1,200 of which are in the Mendoza region.

Hungry from the journey, we wanted to follow the first restaurant recommendation. It was only two blocks from our hostel. Halfway there, a storm started, which would have done credit to any storm in the Sauerland region of Germany. Heavy rain, hail, thunderstorms. Javier later said that this only happens once a year. Great. So we took shelter, waited out the storm, only to find out that the restaurant was closed. So we kept walking and found an Argentine Asado, a grill restaurant. All you can eat (grilled meat, pasta, salad, side dishes, various cooked meat dishes, dessert) for 9 euros. Compared to Chile, those were heavenly prices in Mendoza. Good for our travel budget.

The next morning, we received good morning wishes from Javier via WhatsApp, along with information on where to get the cheapest breakfast - coffee and sweet croissants - in Mendoza. We tried it out and were very impressed. 2 really good coffees and four croissants for less than 2.50 euros.

In the afternoon, the bus picked us up at the hotel for the tour. First, we visited an olive factory. Everyone always emphasized that they were not a factory but a boutique, which was also true for the wineries later on. Everything was translated into English for us, a brief overview of olive oil production and then a delicious tasting of the many varieties. A bottle of rosemary oil was a must-buy...

We also wanted to take a good bottle of Malbec Riserva from the Domiciano winery with us. We couldn't say no, so now we are sitting in our hostel in Santiago, dipping bread in the olive oil and enjoying the delicious red wine while writing your blog. Life is beautiful! Overall, the wines were either too young - they go with everything but don't taste like anything - or too smoky because they were in the barrel for too long. Surely, there is also Malbec in Mendoza that we really like. But we can't visit all 1,200 wineries. Nevertheless, it was an interesting experience to visit the wineries. In the evening, we visited the Asado again and the next morning, the taxi ordered by Javier picked us up on time (which is sensational by South American standards) at 7:15. Our host even got up extra early to personally and very warmly say goodbye to us.

We returned by bus, but at the border, it took 2 hours, as the Chileans are much more particular with the checks than the Argentinians. Back through beautiful landscapes to hot Santiago.

By the way, we were asked at least 5 times not to mention Mario Götze, and a guide at the winery pointed to a Brazilian in a jersey and said to us: 7:1 😄⚽️