1. 0800 VINO
Dealing in top-end personalised and public tastings, British sommelier Nigel Tollerman from 0800 VINO brings the best of Patagonia, Salta, and Mendoza as well as hard-to-find, top-quality small-production wines from lesser known regions to his customised wine store and cellar in Abasto, which also houses film director Francis Ford Coppola’s collection. Book a private wine-and-cheese pairing evening or drop by a public tasting for an introduction to wines from lesser-known regions and sub-regions, and grape varieties from a man whose passion for wine is second to none.
Anchorena 695, Abasto
Buenos Aires
Tel: (011) 4966-2500
www.0800-vino.com
2. Flight Nights
Fierro Hotel holds an exclusive weekly tasting in its cellar with certified sommelier Martín Bruno, who speaks English, Spanish and French. With numbers limited to seven, wine buffs have the opportunity to take a tasting tour of Argentina’s different producing areas and have the sommelier’s ear as they learn more about quality wines such as Ocio’s Merlot 2009 from Río Negro, a Luigi Bosca DOC Malbec 2008, or a typical Torrontés 2010 from Salta by Terrazas de los Andes. A hotel for the gourmand, the hotel’s wine list has been selected by the head of Argentina’s sommelier association, Andrés Rosberg.
Fierro Hotel
Soler 5862, Palermo Hollywood
(011) 3220 6800
www.fierrohotel.com
3. La Vinoteca
If red is the only colour which tantalises your palette, head to one of Buenos Aires’ most luxurious hotels for a luxury tasting of Argentina’s finest tintos. Led by sommelier Marcelo Rebolé, big name wineries renowned for producing excellent cépages such as Luigi Bosca, Catena Zapata and La Rural are on the marble table at the Park Hyatt. Why not book the private terrace for eight people, or dive into the wonderful Cheese Room for an unforgettable pairing prepared by the Maître Fromager. Be sure to ask about the hotel’s sparkling and white tastings, too.
Park Hyatt Hotel
Avenida Alvear 1661
(011) 5171 1234
http://buenosaires.park.hyatt.com
4. Wine Tour Urbano
For a tasting with a difference, take to the streets and boutiques of Buenos Aires with a crystal glass supplied by Wine Tour Urbano. With a sommelier stationed in each store, follow the map to fill up with the wine of your choice and perhaps snap up some accessories at the same time. Offering circuits which include Palermo and Recoleta, depending on the month, tasters can try Malbec and Merlot, or Cabernet and Syrah. Combining boutique wineries with larger names, rotating bodegas include Escorihuela Gascon, Bianchi, Flichman, Weinert and Finca La Escondida. Do try to remember the green cross code, though.
Wine Tour Urbano
Every third Friday in the month
www.winetoururbano.com.ar
5. Time Out Wine Tour
Let British and Argentine sommeliers guide you across over the cobble-stoned streets of Palermo as you stop off at four emblematic restaurants – Don Julio, Prodeo, Mott, and Freud & Fahler – to try seven wines. Cara Lester and Juan Pablo Villar are as charming as they are knowledgeable and will help you through the sparkling, white, and five reds such as an Andeluna Torrontes and an Argento Malbec. A convivial atmosphere accompanies the 12-strong tour which includes tapas-style snacks and a glass for keeps.
Time Out Wine Tour
(011) 4831-1539
www.winetourtimeoutba.com.ar
6. Anuva Wine Tastings
Focusing on boutique producers from Argentina, Anuva Wines blind tastes wines for its events with sommeliers and industry professionals before they make the cut for tastings. Using Escuela Argentina de Sommelier or US Sommelier Association sommeliers, the company has recently moved to a new premises and it offers theme, wine lover, and pairing nights, always with the idea of trying Argentine wines that are to obtain in the rest of the world.
Anuva Wine Tastings
Malabia, Palermo Soho
Full address on reservation.
(011) 15 5768 8589
www.anuvawines.com
Published in SHOP Buenos Aires AW 2012
Photos courtesy of 0800 VINO and Duhau Palace