Photo by Joel Ross Studios
a message from tina jones
Before I visited Argentina, I confess that I did not know quite what to expect. But in a beautiful restaurant in elegant Mendoza, when the Argentine Malbec poured out, and our steak came to the table, spilling over the edges of its stylish wood serving board, I knew I was in a unique and special place.
The towns and cities of Argentina have an exciting air about them; an authentic feel that recalls their European links and celebrates their own culture with flair. The wine culture is particularly exciting: the quality is high, the passion for it is intense, and the excitement is real.
I found Mendoza especially captivating, with its vibrant streets, cafés, and fine restaurants— each seemed better than the last one we had visited! The city has an amazing network of aqueducts, inherited from the indigenous peoples of Argentina. The flowing water creates a lush, green city. Strolling the streets, seeing the water running in aqueducts below the sidewalks, and looking up to the white peaks of the Andes in the distance was an experience I can barely explain in words. But I can easily say that Mendoza is one of my top five choices in the world for a return visit!
I invite you to tour this issue of The Cellar Door. Mike Muirhead and Gary Hewitt take us on a day trip up the Andes; Andrea Eby explores some of Argentina’ s signature wine styles; and Sylvia Jansen speaks with renowned Argentine winemaker, Laura Catena. These are just a few of the experiences in store for you— please explore every page!
I also invite you to be part of another Banville & Jones first! CornerVine is a new online feature that allows you to see our inventory of wines, track your own purchases in a private platform, and share your comments with the friends you select! As you explore Argentina, please continue to explore with CornerVine at http:// banvilleandjones. cornervine. com!
Tina Jones
10 http:// banvilleandjones. cornervine. com