2008 Press Release

The Harvest Queen Will Rejoice with Tango and Red Wine

Tango Wine Tours, an international wine tours company, is offering discounted fare arrangements for tourists traveling from the U.S., in honor of their annual wine festival in Mendoza which includes the crowning of the Harvest Queen.  The harvest and the festival will take place in the first week of March.  On February 29, 2008, Tango Wine Tours will fly guests to Mendoza and see to their accommodations in the luxurious bed and breakfast, Plaza Italia, located at 685 Montevideo St., Mendoza 5500, Argentina.  The tour will continue until March 10, 2008.  Air fare is $1,490.12 per adult.  Bed and Breakfast price range is from $60 to $110 (US Dollars).  This highly popular event called “Vendimia” ( “wine festival” ) celebrates the harvest of Mendoza’s own Malbec grape, which is used to make Malbec wine. 

The festivities will include strolling and sipping Malbec in Plaza Italia while snacking on dishes of steamed escargot. The musical part of the celebration will be surprisingly unique -- from tango to bagpipe  -- and more.
Malbec wine was created in France, but French vineyards rarely yielded the desired response to growing the grapes.  However, conditions such as high altitude, strong sunlight and protection from the spectacular snow-capped Andes gave Malbec grapes a luxuriant home in Argentina.  According to Tango Wine Tours, the area is also popular with outdoor enthusiasts for climbing, mountain biking, kayaking and rafting.
On a normal day, Mendoza is a relaxed and easy-going town, particularly if one compares it to Buenos Aires, the bustling capital city of Argentina.  Mendoza’s streets are wide and most of the travel on them is done by vintage European cars and bicycles.  Brushing over its many outdoor cafes and flowing onto the city's sidewalks are large shade trees.
During Vendimia, Mendoza changes significantly.  It becomes a great assortment of parades and street fairs where the wine flows freely and the province’s capital becomes proudly busy.
All of the regions in Mendoza has representation in the festivities and each one selects a princess to compete for Harvest Queen (la Reina de Vendimia). The chosen ladies ride atop lavish floats from the individual regions in a two-day parade that travels through the city’s downtown area.

The float’s participants boast of their season’s best varieties by giving away wine samples and full bottles to the crowd. Spectators receive their gifts in baskets that are attached to long poles.
On the second night, the Harvest Queen is chosen during a gala show held inside a large Greek-style amphitheater in Plaza San Martin.  The event reminds one of a North American beauty pageant. The sold-out crowd has about 25,000 people being entertained by a light show, music and dancing. Those who choose to do so watch it on a big screen set up in Plaza Italia.
Tango Wine Tours promises a plethora of surprising pleasures for guests such as artistry vendors at sunset, an array of traditional foods in sidewalk booths, and bicycle wine tours. Says Director of Marketing Leo Canale, “When you return home, you will never forget this experience.  You will always think of it with a warm smile in your heart.”

 

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