Here we will give you a look a closer look at various wine regions of Argentina,Bolivia,Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, and the wineries we have visited. We also will be reviewing restaurants, Hotels, wine shops and anything else we think will be of interest to you.

In April 2009 Tim Robertson was interviewed by Uruguay's 'La Republica' newspaper regarding the outlook for Uruguay's nascent wine tourism industry.

Please click link, the text is in Spanish.

LINK

In August 2009 we look at the following:-What does Responsible tourism actually mean? The definition can be looked at from three different perspectives 

CODE FOR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

We, the responsible host population

  • Tourism should supplement our economy. It also represents a danger to our culture and environment.
  • We therefore want to control its development.
  • We encourage community participation in decision-making.
  • We will cease development if it leads to an intolerable burden for our population and environment.
  • We want to avoid the pitfall of economic imperatives.
  • We limit tourism development targets to what is desirable, not what is feasible.
  • We want to keep control over our land. We pursue an active planning and land-use policy. We decline to sell land to non-locals. We limit new construction by zoning policies and the use of existing buildings and infrastructure.
  • We want to protect nature with careful land management, nature reserves for valuable eco-systems and the participation of environmentalists in planning and construction.
  • We will avoid over dependence on tourism by strengthening agriculture and small-scale trade.
  • We will try to improve the quality of jobs in tourism.
  • We want our local culture to remain alive.
  • We shall use tourism marketing to promote socially and environmentally responsible behaviour.

I, the tourist

  • I look forward to my holidays, but I (and others) will get more out of them if I do not use them thoughtlessly.
  • It is tempting to do things I would never do at home: I shall avoid this danger. I want to enjoy myself without offending or harming others.
  • I am a tourist like any other. I accept this and shall not try to stand apart from other tourists.
  • I want to learn more about the country and it's people. I shall adjust to my hosts instead of demanding the opposite.
  • I shall try to learn from new experiences.
  • Leisure for tourists means work for our hosts. I shall not exploit this situation.
  • I accept some responsibility for the environment in which I travel. I shall be content with what is offered and shall not continually demand more comfort. I shall use environmentally-friendly transport and walk wherever I can.
  • I will take my time and observe, meet other people, etc.
  • I choose travel offers which produce the greatest benefit for the host population. Bargaining for lower prices may mean exploitation.
  • I occasionally choose to stay at home. There is much to be discovered in my neighbourhood. Travel should not become routine.

We, the travel business

  • We shall promote tourism which is economically productive, socially responsible and environmentally friendly.
  • We shall encourage interested, considerate and environmentally- conscious travel among our clients.
  • We shall bear in mind the rights of the local population, and respect local laws and customs.
  • We shall collaborate with the host population.
  • We shall continuously train our staff.
  • Our advertising must be honest and responsible. We shall avoid erotic enticements.
  • Our guides have a responsibility to promote tourism with insight and understanding to our clients.
  • We shall not organise trip to ethnic groups who live apart from our western civilisation.
  • The activities of our business partners must meet the same high environmental and social standards.
  • In our professional associations, we will formulate principles encompassing the ethics of tourism.

Robertson Wine tours advocates responsible tourism although we recognise that we do not sometimes go far enough in our efforts. As our business grows we hope to ensure as far as possible our business partners are in accordance with these codes.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE & TOURISM

Code of Sustainable Agriculture, RWT attempts to work with Wineries that adhere to this code.

  • Produce the best quality grapes and wines possible.
  • Provide leadership in protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.
  • Maintain the long-term viability of agricultural lands.
  • Support the economic and social well-being of farm and winery employees through training and competitive compensation.
  • Respect and communicate with neighbors and community members; respond to their concerns in a considerate manner.
  • Enhance local communities through job creation, supporting local businesses, and actively working on important community issues.
  • Honor the Mendoza wine community's entrepreneurial spirit.

For further information regarding sustainable tourism see these links:

TORRONTES VARIETY

Torrontes is a white grape variety that is practically unknown in other parts of the world. It appears to have been introduced into the Argentina from Spain, probably from “La Rioja” region. Surprisingly the Torrontes ranks as Argentina's No.1 white variety, with over 22,000 acres. This however is changing. While Argentina attempts to push itself into the wine psyche of the world, this unknown grape is losing ground to the classic white grape varieties, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Recently we are also seeing some Viognier and Pinot Gris that will be able to compete at international levels. In Argentina the Torrontes is known by three different names: Torrontes Riojano, Torrontes San Juanino and Torrontes Mendocino, obviously pointing to the area it is being cultivated.

Hugo Torres of Augusto Pulenta Winery makes a strong case that each variety has adapted differently to its environment and hence the regional differences in the wine are quiet marked. Sun, sun and more sun is the key to its success, with the major concentration of the vines planted in hot deserts like the one in the northwest of Argentina (San Juan and Salta). The grape requires so much sun predominantly due to the large size of the grape/berry. The plants produce berries that are large loose clusters, with rich yellow gold colours. It produces higher quality fruit in dry soils with low humidity and little rainfall, which is exactly the climate Cafayate enjoys. When we look at the premium examples of this grape in the market, there is not a great deal to choose from. The Etchart Family’s San Pedro de Yacochuya makes a fine wine but it is very limited production. Colome, the Winery based further north and at high altitude makes an exciting Torrontes. Colome from the Hess Stable of Wineries is a consistant Wine however we doubt the Biodynamic label really is justifiable.

Our favorite example is Finca Las Nubes, in Cafayate. This is not an expensive wine: José Mounier and his wife Mercedes are slowly building their reputation. José, a wine maker at Etchart (Pernod Ricard), has built up his finca gradually, adding every year. Hard to get hold of due to the limited production, well worth it. You can contact the Mouniers at japmonier@yahoo.com.ar. Tel 54 3868 422129.

Susana Balbo makes a great contribution to the Wines on offer with her, Crios Torrontes. The general problem with Torrontes from Mendoza is it is generally blended with The Moscatel Alexandria grape so it is not really a Torrontes at all. With the generally small amount of Torrontes that is planted in Mendoza there is no way all this fashionable new grape variety being produced is Torrontes. The interesting note of these wines is the abundance of floral nose, some with distinctive rose, citric and fruit finish. Other notes to be found, blossom, jasmine and melon. As palettes search for something more than Chardonnay and less fresh and green than Sauvignon Blanc, you could do well to explore this variety.

DINING GUIDES

El Gastronauta, Uruguay Dining Guide This is the brainchild of two young argentines who have extensive knowledge of the argentine Wine and Cullinery scene but decided to Get Uruguays best restaurants and wines represented in an excting and informative way.

El Gastronauta

BUENOS AIRES DINING GUIDE

This is the definite Guide for over 2500 restaurants in the Buenos Aires area. Voted by the public with both English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Guiaoleo.com.ar

BLOGGING

We thought it might be interesting for our past and future clients to see some of the thoughts and photos from a couple of the tours that we ran in 2008 in Argentina and Chile. Americans being at the forefront of the blogging you can see below the links to two informative blogs which should give you some expectation as to what a Robertson Wine Tour actually consists of. Many thanks to the Libit and Blair family for their contributions. Melanie Friedman is currently in the middle of a huge tour South America and is having a fantastic time. Her blog is really excellent and we take our hats of to her and hope to be able to continue to put her in contact with the regions top Winemakers. January 2010

http://iheartnywines.blogspot.com

http://bblairfamily.wordpress.com

http://winston.blogspot.com/search/label/argentina
Wine Tours for the Discerning 

USA: (00) 1 707 927 4167
Buenos Aires:
(00) 54 11 47725839
Montevideo: (00) 5982 7113032
Skype: Robertson Wine Tours


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