The Evron Wine Tour - Part II
(These events took place on October 22)
Day Two of the Evron Wine Tour. No driver today. Instead we were on two wheels.
After the debacle of renting bikes in Mendoza centro, I was a bit hesitant about repeating the performance, but while Mike was persistent and with wine as a prize, I relented. Thankfully Alberto and Maria Gracia took care of the rental with a very reputable company.
Armed with map and a couple of helmets we were on our way.
A few days earlier we had an awesome bottle of Cavas de Weinert Gran Vino 2002 when we had dinner at Azafran in Medoza centro. We were thrilled to find out that the bodega was very close to Casa Glebinias where we were staying.
We arrived with no reservation and they were about to close for siesta when we got to the gate, but after tossing around the name of Casa Glebinias, they graciously took us in for a quick tour and tasting.
Ileana was our tour guide and we tasted a couple of their Carrascal’s. A 2008 Savignon Blanc/Pinot Noir blend and a 2005 Malbec, Cabernet and Merlot blend as well as a non alcoholic Moscatel Rosado.
We ended up buying a bottle of the Cavas de Weinert Gran Vino 2002 that we had at the restaurant!! Not a shabby a way to start our day.
But our ultimate destination for the day was Bodega Vistalba which is located in the aptly named Vista Alba region of Mendoza. It is a boutique winery that was started by Carlos Pulenta to create amazing wines in an amazing setting. As the pictures hopefully show, he succeeded.
Also on the grounds of the bodega is the restaurant La Bourgogne which features the cuisine of Jean-Paul Bondoux, the top French chef in South America.
“Applying classic French techniques to the best Mendoza products, La Bourgogne exemplifies some of the finest high-end dining in the region.” Or so we were told by The Vines of Mendoza. Some pretty high expectations.
After a few mishaps . . . me falling off my bike and landing in an irrigation ditch (thankfully a dry one), stopping for directions and Mike still riding right past the bodega having not seen it and leaving me in the dust, we finally reached the “pearly gates” of La Bourgogne.
While we didn’t have a reservation, we once again threw around the name of Casa Glebenias which we were learning seemed to have some pull in the area, as they offered us a table on the patio. We were thrilled!!
Time for lunch. As this was not pre-arranged, we ordered a la carte off the menu. Just the way we like it!!
To start, I chose the grilled octopus on brioche toast marinated in olive oil, with orange and red bell peppers while Mike chose the mushroom carpaccio with pate, herbs ensalada and dry ham vinaigarette. The main courses were the Black Angus tenderloin with rosemary and mushroom gratin in a red wine sauce for me while Mike opted for the Risotto with mushrooms, fennel and topped with a French white fish.
This was all washed down with a bottle of the Vistalba Corte B 2004 (which turned out to be one of our favorites).
I don’t wan’t to forget about dessert which was a chocolate and hazelnut volcano with ginger sorbet. A perfect topper to an excellent meal.
They were also kind enough to allow us to join the next English speaking tour that was starting shortly after we finished lunch. Our tour guide Cecilia was awesome as was the winery, the tour, the restaurant and most importantly, the wines.
If ever in the area, Vistalba and La Bourgogne are definite MUST SEES!
For us though the day wasn’t over. We still have to bike back to the Villa. I was a bit concerned about biking after such a heavy lunch but I have to say, the wine sure helped. I guess going down hill did too!!
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