Day 2 Mendoza

Today we had a private tour of wine and food. We visited a very old winery called Bodega Benegas which use to produce bulk wines and is now into the classic style with small production and $$$ for AG. Very beautiful and very excellent wines with private tasting. We would have liked to ship their meritage, but the shipment alone was $300 US because you have taxes and license and fed ex. On to a winery established in 2003--very cool and very modern and the only one we can recall tasting in the US--Melipal. We have had several of their wines which are reasonable and tasty. Then, we had a cooking class (just us) on a lake w/ willows and outdoor BBQ

Stan learned to dice veges and Jean learned how to make empanadas and they put us to work. Lucas, the chef, is very savvy. He is from a wealthy family from Mendoza, studied at Hyde Park CIA and now owns 5 restaurants here and has multiple contracts w/wineries for catering. Because of Jean, we learned how to BBQ salmon and veges, vege empanadas, and he tossed the panne cottta and gave us some elegant fruit instead. Had wine throughout the experience. Learned a lot. A very popular BBQ is constructed of an old plow disc on which they put legs. It is salted and oiled w/ each use, then wiped clean. Delicious! Went into the town of Mendoza and explored the shops; every shop, no matter the product, also sells wine. Leather shops feature the finest wines!