I know that my time in Buenos Aires is coming to an end. I did not expect to be here this long. I was thrilled when I realized that I would still be in town for the best wine event of the year Vinos de Lujo (Luxury Wines).
I have been to other wine tastings, and they were great.
However, Vinos de Lujo has been the best experience for 4 reasons:
#1 Location
It is held in the Alvear Palace Hotel.
#2 Exclusivity
At 150 pesos (US$35) a pop, tickets are not cheap (well, they cheap are if you earn a US salary but not cheap for Argentina).
The first few nights of the event are special-invite. I was lucky enough to score one as a “member of the press,” but you can also get tickets if you know people in the wine business. Because of this, it is not overly crowded… until they open it up to the public on the last day.
#3 There Are 1 Billion Wines (Mas o Menos)
There were two different ballrooms rooms, and were lined with tables of wine. There were 67 different companies represented. (I really did count). Each company had 6-15 wines available to taste.
That’s a LOT of wine!
Since there were so many wines, the goal was to be selective and look for the wines I had not previously had the opportunity to try and the ones with a good reputation.
#4 The Best Wines are Featured
Remember how I told you how to taste the best wines at a wine expo? Well, you do not even really need those tips at Vinos de Lujo.
They only bring their best. And they WANT you to try their best.
You will see many wines being decanted (a sign that those are the best wines). Many of the wines will be Reservas or Gran Reservas.
#5 They Are Anti-Hangover
There was a huge water station.
And delicious snacks.
Overall, this wine event was excellent.
I got to taste some of the best wines I have had during my time in Buenos Aires. The wine representatives were very friendly and knowledgeable.
My Favorites
Here are some of my favorite wines from the night. They are not cheap for Argentina, but they will be well worth their price.
I’d like to sample so many Argentinian wines. Wonder if the tasters swallow or spit?
Italian Notes recently posted..Fegato alla Veneziana
No wine goes to waste in Argentina
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
I had some delicious wine in Transylvania in a traditional restaurant. I don’t remember it being expensive but it was just delicious… until the hangover the day
Sebastian recently posted..Travel Report: Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
Always great to be pleasantly surprised by a moderately priced wine.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
Even though wine gets to me way too quickly for some reason, I would still have loved to be part of that.
You definitely have an artistic eye with photography, Stephanie.
Curt recently posted..Grilled Apple Cinnamon Marinated Venison Steak
Sooo lucky you were able to score a ticket to this event. Looks like a heck of a lot of fun.
cheryl recently posted..A Foggy Day At Heroes Square in Budapest.
I felt a little special being there too.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
This looks great–glad you were there to experience it. When do you leave BA?
Going to be spending Christmas in Patagonia. I think you’re going to arrive in BA in a couple weeks, but unfortunately, we will miss each other.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
How fun! One of the best I ever had was on a ship in Alaska and it turned out it was made an hour’s drive from where I live–Calera Pinot Noir (they make six different ones). So where to you go from B.A.?
Philip recently posted..The Great American Road Trip–Part IV
I love a good pinot! One of my favorites is from Oregon, and it is A LOT more expensive than the wine down here of course.
Patagonia!!
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
Is that yellow mound a big thing of cheese? You go to the coolest things in Buenos Aires. I didn’t realize you were leaving soon.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Personal Update: Big Things are Happening!
Yep! I think it was parmesan, and it was delicious. I figure after 6 months, I need to be moving on. The travel funds won’t last forever, and I still have so much more of South America to see.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
Sounds like a great event! I’ve been to many local trade tastings but not one of these larger national ones. This one sounds fantastic. I’d also love to go to Vinitaly one of these days.
Mike Russell recently posted..365: Day 21 – Course Correction
It is one of the great things about Buenos Aires. They have so many large expos like this.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
I’ve never tasted any Argentinean wine, sounds delightful. I had a LOT of wine in Italy…too many good ones to remember
Dean recently posted..Exploring the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin, New Zealand
The problem is always remembering. That’s why I take lots of photos of the labels
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
I would love to go to this, there a few things I like better than a great wine event!
Laurel recently posted..My 3 Favorite Christmas Markets in Munich
Agreed! Maybe a chocolate event….
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
I do not usually drink anything with alcohol in it, but you kind of made me want to taste some of those wines.
Nathan H. recently posted..Christmas Time in Kansas City
Well, you are allowed to taste it and spit it out.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
Another place to taste wines in Buenos Aires is Anuva Wines.
Julian recently posted..El 80% de los vinos murcianos se exportan al extranjero
I know! I went there and had a wonderful experience!
I recommend Anuva for trying some really good wines, especially since Vinos de Lujo is only once a year
The Travel Chica recently posted..My First Argentine Asado
Nice score! Just when I think I’ve tried my ‘best wine ever’ another one inevitably comes along to take its place. So hard to remember them all. But these sound amazing!!
Andrea recently posted..Life in Petra
Ah, yes…. that’s what I love about wine. You know there are better ones out there, so you have to keep tasting
The Travel Chica recently posted..Am I A Digital Nomad Now?
I am so sad I didn´t get to go to this with you. I love wine and I love getting wine drunk with you.
Rease recently posted..One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, peanuts!
I think I may have had a hangover the next day if you were there with me. I think you might be a bad influence 😉
The Travel Chica recently posted..Am I A Digital Nomad Now?
Wow this is amazing! I wouldn’t mind paying a little more for some good wine. I’m sure it’s worth it. Thank you for sharing!
I have decided I would rather have a really excellent bottle once a week than mediocre wine 3 times a week
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Foto of the Week from … The Island of Chiloe – Fishing Boats