Monocle’s Liv Kessler heads to Mendoza, the wine capital of Argentina, to explore the heart of the city’s culinary scene through the lens of its historic food culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello and welcome to Food Neighbourhoods on Monocle Radio, where once again we visit the places locals love for their food and drink.
Mendoza is known as the wine capital of Argentina, but it's no stranger to delicious food.
And a visit to the mountainous city will take you to the heartland of the nation's culinary scene.
Here, Monocle's Liv Kessler heads to the Andes to explore Mendoza through the lens of its food culture, past and present.
Take a listen.
Mendoza, the Malbec capital of Argentina and perhaps the world for wine lovers and appreciators of the great outdoors.
A paradise with the Andes mountains as a perfect backdrop.
It's no wonder so many flock to this oasis in the Argentinian desert.
Starting in the 19th century, Mendoza is one of the oldest wine producing regions in Latin America.
Today it accounts for about 70% of Argentina's wine production, much of it Malbec, the grape varietal, is known for being full bodied, a perfect pairing to a great cut of steak, another quintessential Argentinian export.
First stop, coffee.
In the dry land of Mendoza, it's best to keep hydrated and nowhere better to start than Monono.
Fill to the brim with their homemade cakes, breads and cookies.
You'll usually find a couple of locals enjoying their morning breakfast in the coffee shop's sun filled terrace.
Don't show your cars as a tourist.
What may seem to be a croissant is called a mejaluna or half moon.
It is often topped with a lightly sweet syrup and best enjoyed with a copious amount of melted cheese and ham.
Now equipped to face the day, it is only natural that wine would be on the agenda.
Argentina's finest wine is actually produced in the neighbouring locality, the Valle de uco, roughly a 40 minute drive away from Mendoza.
Distances seem to expand considerably outside of Europe and it's here you'll find yourself in the heart of wine country.