Argentina Wine Awards in pictures

db’s managing editor, Lucy Shaw, was invited to judge at the 11th annual Argentina Wine Awards, which took place in Mendoza earlier this month. During the competition, a total of 668 wines were tasted by judges from the UK, US and China. Joining Lucy on her table were wine educator Dorian Tang and Nieto Senetiner winemaker Santiago Mayorga.

Before the march of the Malbecs, we were treated to a flight of pretty pinks, many of which would give top Provence rosé a run for its money.

After a busy day of tasting we wound down at Bodegas Caro, a joint venture between Nicolas Catena and Château Lafite in Bordeaux, which boasted one of the most pristine and cathedral-like barrel rooms we’ve ever seen.

Now that’s what I call service.

No trip to Argentina would be complete without an impromptu tango performance and ours didn’t disappoint. The two dancers moved with such synergy and fluidity it was as if they were each other’s mirror image.

Olé!

Among the lovely judges Lucy had the pleasure of tasting with were (l-r) sommelier turned wine tech guru Eric Zillier, wine merchant and educator Peter Granoff MW, M&S wine buyer Emma Dawson MW, Rachel Brown of the WSET, Adam Teeter, co-founder of VinePair, and wine writer and lecturer Jamie Goode.

On the day of the awards, each of the international judges gave a presentation about Argentine wine in their respective markets, but before we entered the hall, we made the most of this stunning view over the Andes from Bodegas Salentin.

After the presentations it was time for a spot of lunch, which included divine hunks of salty, fatty, perfectly pink Argentine beef in a bun.

and oodles of red peppers and fried eggs…

One of the most touching moments of the competition was when young gun winemaker Mattias Riccitelli won a trophy for his Riccitelli & Father 2014, which he collected with his dad, who seemed more excited about the award than Mattias.

Rounding off a wonderful week, we spent a magical evening under the stars at Salentin, who lit a fire to keep us warm from the early spring chill.

Empanadas roasting on an open fire…

Devouring the empanadas fresh from the fire, they were so delectable we may not have been able to stop at two…

Back in Mendoza, before we flew home we found time to sneak in an expertly mixed Pisco Sour at Francis Mallmann’s meat mecca 1884.