ArgEnology Wine Merchants
Jul 8, 2019, 9:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 15
ArgEnology Wine Merchants
I just wanted to post a big thank you (and a small review) to Alex (Gaucho100K) for making time for me last minute to do a wine tasting and purchase on my recent trip to Buenos Aires. I was having trouble figuring out what I wanted to bring back with me and his wealth of wine knowledge made it much easier to decide. I didn't want to fill my suitcase up with mass market wine that may be easily available in the US so he helped guide me to some small production wines and vineyards.
I didn't realize it was by appointment only but he made time for me the same day I contacted him (and even offered to call me at my hotel to save me the cost of the call). We had a chat about what types of wines I liked (and didn't like) and he selected a bottle to open for tasting to establish a baseline. From there we talked about what types of wine I wanted to bring back and my budget and he made some suggestions. Unlike some wine tasting I've done in California, I never felt an air of pretension or snobbery.
He also had the wine delivered to my hotel the next day and followed up to let me know it was delivered and to make sure my order was correct. I packed it up in my DIY wine suitcase but it seems he has plenty of experience with getting wine to the US so I believe he also deals with properly packing wine to be checked in as luggage or to be shipped.
I was very pleased with the high level of service provided, I just wish I had a bigger wine budget and more space in my luggage. He even helped me try to track down another local item I was looking to purchase that had nothing to do with wine, which I thought was really above and beyond.
Their website is www.argenology.com/en for those who might be heading to BsAs.
I didn't realize it was by appointment only but he made time for me the same day I contacted him (and even offered to call me at my hotel to save me the cost of the call). We had a chat about what types of wines I liked (and didn't like) and he selected a bottle to open for tasting to establish a baseline. From there we talked about what types of wine I wanted to bring back and my budget and he made some suggestions. Unlike some wine tasting I've done in California, I never felt an air of pretension or snobbery.
He also had the wine delivered to my hotel the next day and followed up to let me know it was delivered and to make sure my order was correct. I packed it up in my DIY wine suitcase but it seems he has plenty of experience with getting wine to the US so I believe he also deals with properly packing wine to be checked in as luggage or to be shipped.
I was very pleased with the high level of service provided, I just wish I had a bigger wine budget and more space in my luggage. He even helped me try to track down another local item I was looking to purchase that had nothing to do with wine, which I thought was really above and beyond.
Their website is www.argenology.com/en for those who might be heading to BsAs.
Jul 8, 2019, 8:53 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
I just wanted to post a big thank you (and a small review) to Alex (Gaucho100K) for making time for me last minute to do a wine tasting and purchase on my recent trip to Buenos Aires. I was having trouble figuring out what I wanted to bring back with me and his wealth of wine knowledge made it much easier to decide. I didn't want to fill my suitcase up with mass market wine that may be easily available in the US so he helped guide me to some small production wines and vineyards.
I didn't realize it was by appointment only but he made time for me the same day I contacted him (and even offered to call me at my hotel to save me the cost of the call). We had a chat about what types of wines I liked (and didn't like) and he selected a bottle to open for tasting to establish a baseline. From there we talked about what types of wine I wanted to bring back and my budget and he made some suggestions. Unlike some wine tasting I've done in California, I never felt an air of pretension or snobbery.
He also had the wine delivered to my hotel the next day and followed up to let me know it was delivered and to make sure my order was correct. I packed it up in my DIY wine suitcase but it seems he has plenty of experience with getting wine to the US so I believe he also deals with properly packing wine to be checked in as luggage or to be shipped.
I was very pleased with the high level of service provided, I just wish I had a bigger wine budget and more space in my luggage. He even helped me try to track down another local item I was looking to purchase that had nothing to do with wine, which I thought was really above and beyond.
Their website is www.argenology.com/en for those who might be heading to BsAs.
I didn't realize it was by appointment only but he made time for me the same day I contacted him (and even offered to call me at my hotel to save me the cost of the call). We had a chat about what types of wines I liked (and didn't like) and he selected a bottle to open for tasting to establish a baseline. From there we talked about what types of wine I wanted to bring back and my budget and he made some suggestions. Unlike some wine tasting I've done in California, I never felt an air of pretension or snobbery.
He also had the wine delivered to my hotel the next day and followed up to let me know it was delivered and to make sure my order was correct. I packed it up in my DIY wine suitcase but it seems he has plenty of experience with getting wine to the US so I believe he also deals with properly packing wine to be checked in as luggage or to be shipped.
I was very pleased with the high level of service provided, I just wish I had a bigger wine budget and more space in my luggage. He even helped me try to track down another local item I was looking to purchase that had nothing to do with wine, which I thought was really above and beyond.
Their website is www.argenology.com/en for those who might be heading to BsAs.
Jul 9, 2019, 6:27 am
#3
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
Nxlinc-- thank you for posting your experience, greatly appreciated.
I sometimes like to do a palate calibration exercise when I have no previous tasting experience with a person that will be purchasing wines with us for the first time. In this instance, the benchmark (or Guide Wine as I like to call it) was a Malbec based blend from Mendoza. Wine opened for this exercise is complimentary, and we open a new bottle for each calibration session - I do not believe in tasting from pre-opened bottles..... the only exception to this would be a Coravin pour scenario.
I sometimes like to do a palate calibration exercise when I have no previous tasting experience with a person that will be purchasing wines with us for the first time. In this instance, the benchmark (or Guide Wine as I like to call it) was a Malbec based blend from Mendoza. Wine opened for this exercise is complimentary, and we open a new bottle for each calibration session - I do not believe in tasting from pre-opened bottles..... the only exception to this would be a Coravin pour scenario.
I just wanted to post a big thank you (and a small review) to Alex (Gaucho100K) for making time for me last minute to do a wine tasting and purchase on my recent trip to Buenos Aires. I was having trouble figuring out what I wanted to bring back with me and his wealth of wine knowledge made it much easier to decide. I didn't want to fill my suitcase up with mass market wine that may be easily available in the US so he helped guide me to some small production wines and vineyards.
I didn't realize it was by appointment only but he made time for me the same day I contacted him (and even offered to call me at my hotel to save me the cost of the call). We had a chat about what types of wines I liked (and didn't like) and he selected a bottle to open for tasting to establish a baseline. From there we talked about what types of wine I wanted to bring back and my budget and he made some suggestions. Unlike some wine tasting I've done in California, I never felt an air of pretension or snobbery.
He also had the wine delivered to my hotel the next day and followed up to let me know it was delivered and to make sure my order was correct. I packed it up in my DIY wine suitcase but it seems he has plenty of experience with getting wine to the US so I believe he also deals with properly packing wine to be checked in as luggage or to be shipped.
I was very pleased with the high level of service provided, I just wish I had a bigger wine budget and more space in my luggage. He even helped me try to track down another local item I was looking to purchase that had nothing to do with wine, which I thought was really above and beyond.
Their website is www.argenology.com/en for those who might be heading to BsAs.
I didn't realize it was by appointment only but he made time for me the same day I contacted him (and even offered to call me at my hotel to save me the cost of the call). We had a chat about what types of wines I liked (and didn't like) and he selected a bottle to open for tasting to establish a baseline. From there we talked about what types of wine I wanted to bring back and my budget and he made some suggestions. Unlike some wine tasting I've done in California, I never felt an air of pretension or snobbery.
He also had the wine delivered to my hotel the next day and followed up to let me know it was delivered and to make sure my order was correct. I packed it up in my DIY wine suitcase but it seems he has plenty of experience with getting wine to the US so I believe he also deals with properly packing wine to be checked in as luggage or to be shipped.
I was very pleased with the high level of service provided, I just wish I had a bigger wine budget and more space in my luggage. He even helped me try to track down another local item I was looking to purchase that had nothing to do with wine, which I thought was really above and beyond.
Their website is www.argenology.com/en for those who might be heading to BsAs.
Jul 9, 2019, 2:53 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PUF
Programs: FB Platinum
Posts: 192
I have to chime in to also recommend ArgEnology. Alex has been my preferred wine merchant in Buenos Aires for the last six or seven years. At this point he already knows what I like, my quirks, and sometimes even remembers certain bottles in my cellar better than myself - well, now I have a cellar tracker app! 
nxlinc, if you have the chance, let Alex do the ‘packing’ for you next time. I started just like you, ‘smuggling’ a few bottles in my baggage, until I realised it was better, and I could transport more (!) if packed properly. He has specialty styrofoam boxes that can even withstand the TSA - a weird mileage run had me once connecting via the US and the boys in blue took an interest in the contents of the box, repacking it afterwards with TSA tape - and I have re-used them when moving as well.
Alex has organised tastings for myself and my family sometimes with almost no notice and always delivering top notch quality. Being from Argentina myself I’m always on the lookout for boutique and ‘cult’ wines, which I favour, since it’s really easy these days to find any of the big players abroad.
So again, if you happen to be in EZE and want wines from the ‘right’ side of the Andes, check Alex at Argenology
nxlinc, if you have the chance, let Alex do the ‘packing’ for you next time. I started just like you, ‘smuggling’ a few bottles in my baggage, until I realised it was better, and I could transport more (!) if packed properly. He has specialty styrofoam boxes that can even withstand the TSA - a weird mileage run had me once connecting via the US and the boys in blue took an interest in the contents of the box, repacking it afterwards with TSA tape - and I have re-used them when moving as well.
Alex has organised tastings for myself and my family sometimes with almost no notice and always delivering top notch quality. Being from Argentina myself I’m always on the lookout for boutique and ‘cult’ wines, which I favour, since it’s really easy these days to find any of the big players abroad.
So again, if you happen to be in EZE and want wines from the ‘right’ side of the Andes, check Alex at Argenology
Jul 12, 2019, 8:39 am
#5
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
Thank you Florencia. We value your Patronage of all these years and look forward to continue serving you in the Future. Lots of new things to taste since your last visit, we have a lot of ground to cover during you upcoming visit. See you shortly !!!
Cheers,
Alex
Cheers,
Alex
I have to chime in to also recommend ArgEnology. Alex has been my preferred wine merchant in Buenos Aires for the last six or seven years. At this point he already knows what I like, my quirks, and sometimes even remembers certain bottles in my cellar better than myself - well, now I have a cellar tracker app!
nxlinc, if you have the chance, let Alex do the ‘packing’ for you next time. I started just like you, ‘smuggling’ a few bottles in my baggage, until I realised it was better, and I could transport more (!) if packed properly. He has specialty styrofoam boxes that can even withstand the TSA - a weird mileage run had me once connecting via the US and the boys in blue took an interest in the contents of the box, repacking it afterwards with TSA tape - and I have re-used them when moving as well.
Alex has organised tastings for myself and my family sometimes with almost no notice and always delivering top notch quality. Being from Argentina myself I’m always on the lookout for boutique and ‘cult’ wines, which I favour, since it’s really easy these days to find any of the big players abroad.
So again, if you happen to be in EZE and want wines from the ‘right’ side of the Andes, check Alex at Argenology
nxlinc, if you have the chance, let Alex do the ‘packing’ for you next time. I started just like you, ‘smuggling’ a few bottles in my baggage, until I realised it was better, and I could transport more (!) if packed properly. He has specialty styrofoam boxes that can even withstand the TSA - a weird mileage run had me once connecting via the US and the boys in blue took an interest in the contents of the box, repacking it afterwards with TSA tape - and I have re-used them when moving as well.
Alex has organised tastings for myself and my family sometimes with almost no notice and always delivering top notch quality. Being from Argentina myself I’m always on the lookout for boutique and ‘cult’ wines, which I favour, since it’s really easy these days to find any of the big players abroad.
So again, if you happen to be in EZE and want wines from the ‘right’ side of the Andes, check Alex at Argenology
Jul 22, 2019, 12:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: USA
Programs: UA, WN, Hilton Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 56
I've dealt with Alex at ArgEnology for several years, most recently this past February, when he curated a selection of high end bottles (all reds, Malbecs primarily). At this point he knows my tastes pretty well and I've never been disappointed or thought I was paying too much (confirmed when I have done a price comparison). I enjoy the annual Cow Do and tastings offered, even on occasions I don't buy any of the bottles sampled, since these expand my baseline knowledge. ArgEnology is highly recommended.
Aug 12, 2019, 4:00 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Wherever
Programs: UA 1MM for a while now, AS for a minute, BAEC newly minted Gold
Posts: 1,172
Simply the Best Wine Merchant in BA
I've been dealing with Alex at ArgEnology for many years going back to my first trip to BA 15 years ago. That first experience opened my eyes to the amazing range of producers and styles, almost impossible to navigate as an outsider (read tourist). Alex made it work period. I make it a point of purchasing at least a case of outstanding grape juice from the right side of the Andes every year. There are so many places to purchase good wine in BA and certainly this is part of the fun with visiting this amazing city. However, working with Alex to construct the perfect case or two of small production, serious good tasting value wine or collectable labels is always a top priority for me and highly recommended for those who cherish great vino. My personal routine is working up an order with Alex in advance of my trip and then supplementing with the odd find in the city during my visit. This has proven to be a winning formula for the last 15 years. I recommend you take the time to open a dialog with Alex and explore what possibilities exist based on your budget and tastes.
http://argenology.com/en/
Cheers,
-Cyborg
http://argenology.com/en/
Cheers,
-Cyborg
Last edited by cyborg; Aug 21, 2019 at 4:01 pm
Aug 16, 2019, 11:54 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Wherever
Programs: UA 1MM for a while now, AS for a minute, BAEC newly minted Gold
Posts: 1,172
More Than Malbec
The other grapes should not be overlooked! Alex has introduced me to some wonderful Pinot Noir, Cabernet and blends from a number of regions in Argentina that have earned a prominent place in my cellar :-)
http://argenology.com/en/
Cheers,
-Cyborg
Last edited by cyborg; Aug 21, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Aug 17, 2019, 6:19 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
I'm on a bit of a beer quest at the moment as the micro brewery scene expands....some decent beer to be had here as well.
Aug 21, 2019, 11:15 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: JFK,ATL,LGA (the rest of the world follows)
Programs: DL KM/DM/2MM (NH Plat emeritus, CO Plat emeritus, and no place like home)
Posts: 3,190
I always have pleasure doing business with Gaucho 100K. Top notch selection of the best Mendoza has to offer. The best service, dedication to details on my palate. I believe I purchased more than five cases over the years. Seriously, ArgEnology Wines and Alex ( www.argenology.com) knows his wines well. Gaucho is one of a kind- Things that would rarely come up my radar here, good storage history, releases with tight allocations, tastings with excellent cuts of meats in places that you'd never get into solo... he's your man!
Last edited by DLroads; Aug 21, 2019 at 11:25 am
Aug 21, 2019, 4:23 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Wherever
Programs: UA 1MM for a while now, AS for a minute, BAEC newly minted Gold
Posts: 1,172
I also want to emphasize the high quality shipping boxes thatArgEnology http://argenology.com/en/ provides that support seamless transportation when checking in at EZE. I have used their services many times over the last 15 years and found the bottles in perfect shape on arrival to the USA. Also want to mention that once there was some condensation on a couple of labels when I arrived and they immediately offered a credit for my next purchase since they knew I was returning the next year even though this was beyond their control. Fantastic wine seller! :-)
Cheers,
-Steve
Cheers,
-Steve