Vino Argentino

January 3, 2011
Argentina's reputation as a producer of wonderful wine is on the rise; it's now the world's sixth-largest, and wine-based tourism is rapidly growing. Author and vintner Catena (Mendoza: Our Terroir), the fourth generation of her family to produce wine, keeps her tight focus on the country's Mendoza region and the many wineries that take advantage of its "enviable terrior...of low-fertility soils, cool mountain nights, sunny days, and low humidity." These qualities appeal to tourists as well, and Catena's effort, including friendly conversations with wine-makers, intimate looks at restaurants and wines, a chapter of recipes, and well-researched historical anecdotes, provides ample temptation to visit, aided by Sara Remington's luminous photos of the Mendoza region and its people. Catena could have included a few more trappings to make her book more vacation-friendly (like a map of the country or a discussion of cost) but, as the title promises, her focus is wine, not museums, parks, or malls, and it makes a nice addition for the wine lover. Photos.