Argentina is internationally recognized for its high quality wines and alcoholic drinks. Travellers come to study Spanish in Argentina and enjoy its drinking culture. Overseas markets have made of Argentina a premier distributor of these goods in the short run.
Since the 16 C, and thanks to the Spanish influence, Argentina started a non stop period of massive grape harvests and wine production. Today it is the fourth major wine manufacture in the globe, especially attractive to those who want to study Spanish and discover a new culture. Mendoza is the region where most of the Argentinean vineyards are found. Study Spanish and encounter a huge chain of wineries and traditional home made production, where wines are still made by crushing grapes with the feet. Visitors coming to study Spanish are taken to vineyards to take part of the harvest activity by collecting grapes. Renowned brands in Mendoza include guided tours and visits to their assets. These tours are held in different languages for those who don’t speak Spanish or have come to study Spanish in Argentina and are taking a Spanish course.
In Argentina, winery production includes red, white and rose wine, table wine, sparkling wine and sweet wine. All of them vary according to the region where they are produced and the harvest quality. Each type of wine also varies in itself. Visitors that study Spanish in Argentina are taught how from white wine for example, evolves the Chardonnay and the Sauvignon Blanc.
Argentina’s main production is of red wine, taking the 39% the existing vineyards, being the Malbec the most important red wine produced. Wine is an incredible attraction for visitors; if you study Spanish in Argentina, then you can find Spanish courses that include wine tours and special wine events while you study Spanish.
Mate is a very different drink but as distinctive as wine when speaking about the Argentinean culture. Those who study Spanish in Argentina will find that mate is an emblematic national drink that involves a cultural ritual. It is tea brewed from a green plant called yerba. Mate is obtained when you add hot water to the yerba leaves held in a seasoned guard. You drink it through a metal straw. You can’t drink mate alone, it is a social ritual part of the Argentinean way of life; you share mate with friends, while you study Spanish or whenever you want.
Depending on the region of Argentina, mate is prepared and consumed in different ways. Northern provinces usually drink mate sweeten with sugar, while in central Argentina it is generally consumed bitter. Other option is to drink ice-cold mate; tradition carried out during summer. Cold mate in Argentina is called Terere. Wherever you decide to study Spanish, you will be introduced to the enigmatic mate culture during Spanish courses.
Mate tradition is millenary; it was started by natives who lived in Argentina centuries before the Spanish conquerors arrived. If you come to study Spanish in Argentina you will be taught how during ancient times this national drink was believed be magic, have healing powers and a natural mental stimulator. Nowadays it has been proved successful for appetite control and fatigue reduction, useful for those who study Spanish in Argentina.
Mate in Argentina is drunk at any time, early in the morning, during the evening or after lunch; you drink mate when you study Spanish, watching TV or just to sweeten a chat. Mate is carried around in thermos flasks to squares, the river or the countryside. Mate is the first drink introduced to students that have decided to study Spanish in Argentina.
Mate and wine are distinguishing features of Argentina always introduced to those who study Spanish.