Mendoza / Argentine

Mendoza is Argentina's fourth largest populated province. It is located at the foot of the Andes, 1,200km away from the capital Buenos Aires, and on the border with Chile. In keeping with its reputation as a "Land of Sun and Wine," it is a wine-producing area that accounts for 70% of domestic production, with blue skies virtually all year round.

About 99.9% of Mendozans ask "Do you like Mendoza? Mendozan food's great, isn't it? Are you happy living in Mendoza?" More than 90% are born and bred in Mendoza, and all are passionate about Mendoza and are proud of the fact. The people are chatty.

Every little event gives them something to talk about and they talk on and on for hours. Mealtimes provide the opportunity for such conversation. Weekdays and holidays alike, they frequently hold home parties, inviting relatives and friends. In the evenings, they start from 10 and dance until 2 or 3 at night or sometimes until dawn.

Argentinean food, especially beef, and wine add color to the conversation. Annual beef consumption in Argentina is about 70 kilos per person (compared with 13 kilos in Japan), while annual wine consumption is about 40 liters (compared with 2.5 liters in Japan). (Apparently annual consumption used to be 100 kilos for beef and 100 liters for wine). The basic seasoning is salt and pepper, there is little fat, but the meat is tender and they eat as much as three or four fistfuls of meat. Surprisingly the women also polish off about as much as the men. Everyone drinks wine in their own way, with people who don't drink and people who've drunk too much drinking wine mixed with soda water.

The Mendozan way is to spend time relaxing with family and friends, chatting far into the night with carne (meat) in one hand and vino (wine) in the other.

Mendoza is famous as a resort with nature on a grand scale, offering a range of activities such as mountaineering in the Andes, especially Aconcagua, bodega (vineyard) tours, hot springs, skiing and rafting, and it is visited by many Argentinean and foreign tourists. If you're thinking about a South American trip, why not try it?

Plaza Independencia (Independence Park) is the largest park in Mendoza. On holidays it serves as a place of relaxation for families and lovers. Lomo al Champignon is steak in black pepper sauce.