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WINE OF MENDOZA AND
SAN JUAN |
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| Wines of Mendoza and San Juan (VINOS DE MENDOZA Y SAN JUAN) |
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| Mendoza and San Juan |
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Argentina ranks fifth in world wine production. Top producers Province of Mendoza (Provincia de Mendoza) and Province of San Juan (Provincia de San Juan) are located in the mid-western part of the country that is called the Cuyo Region (CUYO). Thanks to the cool climate and the low humidity, as well as the natural irrigation by the glacier water of the Andes, high quality grapes grow here.
In recent years, high quality wines have been produced and exported all over the world. You can enjoy famous Argentine wine in province of Mendoza and San Juan.
[Province of Mendoza ]
[Province of San Juan ] |
[Province of Mendoza (MENDOZA)]
Province of Mendoza contributes 70% to the total domestic wine production.
Mendoza City, the capital, has well-maintained streets, squares, and parks. There is lush vegetation and a well-managed and well-maintained irrigation system.
Many cultural activities are held in its theaters, museums, and art galleries.
Grape Harvest Festival (FIESTA DE LA VENDIMIA)
This festival is usually held here in Mendoza City on the first week of March wherein various events also take place. On the weekend, such exciting activities as music, dancing, and various contests are held on a specially-mounted stage.
http://www.fiesta-vendimia.com/
Other harvest festivals are held from February to the beginning of March at wineries (Bodega) in such cities as San Rafael, General Alvear, Maipu, Lujan, East Zone, and Valle de Uco.
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| Main Attractions
Wineries (BODEGA)
There are 1,221 wineries in the directory of Mendoza City. MAIPU and LUJAN DE CUYO districts are especially famous.
The local travel agencies can take you to a tour of a few wineries for tasting. Or you can also rent a car for a private tour.
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| There is a wine museum, too. |
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Mt. Aconcagua (EL ACONCAGUA)
From Horcones Valley (El Valle de los Horcones) you can view the southeastern part of Mt. Aconcagua (6,959 m), the highest in the American Continent, also called “The Stone Sentinel” (EL “CENTINELA DE PIEDRA”).
Hot spring resorts in Cacheuta (CACHEUTA)
There are hot springs in El Challao and Los Molles besides Cacheuta. Slightly different from the hot spring resorts in Japan, they are like warm swimming pools where you can enjoy bathing in a swimsuit.
Casino (CASINO)
Casinos are in Mendoza City, San. Rafael City, and Las Lenas Skiing Resort.
Activities
Skiing (ESQUI)
In the southern hemisphere, specifically Argentina, you can enjoy skiing while it is midsummer of Japan. Las Lenas Skiing Resort at Las Lenas Valley is a large-scale skiing resort with 24 slopes (total length 63 km).
Web of Las Lenas
http://www.laslenas.com
Other activities
You can enjoy sports gliding in the mountains of the Andes.
You can go kayaking and windsurfing in Argentina’s dams and lakes. You can do rafting in Mendoza River (el rio Mendoza), Diamante River (el rio Diamante), and Atuel River (el rio Atuel).
You can enjoy mountain-climbing, trekking, and horseback riding at the Aconcagua Provincial Park, the Los Molles Valley, and the Las Lenas Valley.
Fishing
The rivers, brooks, lakes, and dams in the region are suitable for trout and Pejerrey fishing.
Shopping
Wine tops the souvenirs from Mendoza. The most famous red wine grape variety in Argentina is the “Malbec” which produces a rich and fresh bouquet.
Shawls, mufflers, and folkcrafts, etc. are also good souvenirs.
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[Province of San Juan (SAN JUAN)]
San Juan City, the provincial capital, was chartered in 1562. It was newly rebuilt, however, as the entire city collapsed due to a big earthquake in 1944.
There is a cathedral in front of the mainsquare, from whose steeple you can have a splendid panorama of the city.
Province of San Juan Tourism Bureau
CASA DE SAN JUAN
Sarmiento1251 TEL: 4382-924 Monday-Friday 9:00-18:00
http://www.turismo.sanjuan.gov.ar/
Main Attraction
Wineries (BODEGA)
They are concentrated in the districts of Tulum Valley (Valle del Tulum), Zonda Valley (Valles del Zonda), and Ullum (Ullum). Like the tours in Mendoza, you can also visit wineries here.
Activities
You can go kayaking and windsurfing in the dams and the lake, and go rafting in San Juan River (el rio San Juan).
On the Barreal El Leoncito plain (la planicie del Barreal El Leoncito), you can practice landyachting –– windsurfing on dry land in a three-wheeled buggy that can run up to 100 km an hour.
You can also enjoy sports gliders along the mountainsides.
Horseback riding
There is a horseback riding course you can accomplish in a few days. On the course, you can climb the mountain path in pre-mountain range (sub-Andes) and Andes mountain range (precordillera y la cordillera). From a lodge and San Juan Provincial Sanctuary, you can observe the crowd of Guanaco and Vicuna.
Shopping
Wine and champagne are popular as souvenirs.
As for handicrafts, there are tableware like wooden dishes, bowls, etc.
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| Province: |
Province of Mendoza and Province of San Juan |
| Nearest Airports: |
In Mendoza City and San Juan City
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| Location: |
Mendoza City is 1,037 km to the west of Buenos Aires City.
San Juan City is 165 km to the north of Mendoza. |
| Access: |
Province of Mendoza
By plane: Eight flights a day from Buenos Aires to Mendoza
By bus: Routes from Buenos Aires City to Mendoza City, San. Rafael City, and the General Alvear City. Routes from Santiago of Chile (Santiago de Chile) and Valparaiso are also available.
Province of San Juan
By plane: Flights from Buenos Aires City, Cordoba City, and Mendoza City.
By bus: From Buenos Aires City to San Juan |
| Climate: |
Province of Mendoza
Average temperature: 22 degrees in summer, 13 degrees in autumn, 8 degrees in winter, and 15 degrees in spring. The average annual precipitation is about 236 mm.
Sometimes it snows heavily in May and August.
Province of San Juan
Summer temperatures occasionally exceed 37 degrees, while in winter it can go down to as low as sub-zero. It is very dry throughout the year.
The average temperature: 19 degrees in spring, 26 degrees in summer, 18 degrees in autumn, and 10 degrees in winter.
The average annual precipitation is 83 mm, the lowest in the country. |
| Both Mendoza and San Juan have different categories of accommodations. |
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