Great Products Argentina
Writes: Laura Litvin (@laulitvin)
To the province of Salta, in northern Argentina, is known as 'The cute'. This name has its reasons: its valleys and ravines, its high roads and its picturesque villages make it a dream place for any visitor. In addition, it is the land of tasty pies and tamales and, of course, from wine, where the famous Torrontes.
The amazing route through the Calchaquí Valleys
The circuit of the Calchaquíes valleys it passes through different dream towns with their picturesque white houses, valleys, rivers and streams. Also rocks with capricious shapes, cardones and winding roads. Those who reach the highest heights in the country is a beautiful journey.
They are around 500 km that start from the capital of Salta to the San Fernando de Escoipe Ravine. Passing by Payogasta and Cachi (where a red pepper is grown with which the renowned Cachi pepper is made). Likewise, traveling San Carlos Office and finally reaching cafayate.
As you go up, you will see the terraces where it is grown corn, beans and peas. You will cross the famous Bishop's Slope, so called because in 1622 the highest ecclesiastical authority from Salta - Monsignor Cortázar - stayed in the middle of the road.
La 'Mill Stone' marks the highest point of the slope (3348 meters above sea level). The best suggestion is that you get out of the vehicle, breathe and let yourself be enchanted by this incredible landscape.
Ancestral flavors and high-altitude wines
Salta is territory of pies (the local recipe calls for potato), tamales, locro, humita or spicy chicken, dishes with llama and pickled partridge. Of course the Salta wine He is the protagonist of Argentine viticulture. The Calchaquíes valleys they comprise about 3000 ha of high altitude vineyards (between 1500 and 2500 meters). They enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year, poor soils and a great temperature range between day and night.
In recent years, several strains have found great potency in this terroir, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. But it is certainly the Torrontés the white variety that has been expressed here with excellence since ancient times. In the Argentina there are 3 types of Torrontés: the mendocino, the sanjuanino and the riojano. The latter expresses itself very well in Cafayate and has won international awards.
En Cafayate, tour the wineries of 'Wine road' and enjoy their tastings and the different proposals of each establishment. You can ride through vineyards, play golf or enjoy a spa. You just want to go back.
