A recent wine-related study by the California Institute of Technology concluded that people enjoy higher-priced wines more. It's not just our mental inclination to think a higher priced item is usually better, but a physiological one. Subjects in the study tasted the same wine twice: once with the understanding that the bottle of wine cost $10 and the other $90. When tasting the $90 bottle, more oxygen and blood was sent to the pleasure center of the brain.

Manu Chao's latest album La Radiolina is selling like crazy from Barcelona to Buenos Aires...and perhaps in the United States as well, even though it's been 6 years since his last album. The singer/guitarist is hard to place in a single genre, since his music ranges from rock to reggae with some guitar-work influenced by flamenco. His lyrics are often political and choruses are catchy. His 1998 album Clandestino is a classic, packed with great songs that seem to be timeless.

The Vistalba winery

Tucked into the Vistalba neighborhood of Mendoza surrounded by grapevines and olive trees, the Vistalba winery is cutting edge yet boutique. The Pulenta brothers sold Trapiche winery, one of the biggest wineries and most well known internationally, and brother Carlos Pulenta started his own project, Vistalba. The winery was built in 2002 and is extremely modern and well-finished.

The Winery: Ruca Malén

With a sweeping view of the Andes beyond fields of grapevines stands winery Ruca Malén. Its beautiful modern facility, informative tour and picturesque location are matched by the quality of its wines.

You can't get much better Latin hip-hop than the Orishas or Ozomatli. The members of Orishas group are Cuban exiles, and many of their lyrics talk about life in Havana and the immigrant experience. From the song 'Emigrantes':

estoy cantando pa’mi gente
triste loco el que ha dejado atras
su sol, su gente, su camisa (estoy cantando pa' mi gente)
sin pensar tan lejos cambia todo
y la nostalgia te hace trizas (estoy cantando pa' mi gente)

i'm singing for my people
deeply sad for what he has left behind
his sun, his people, his shirt (i'm singing for my people)
without thinking that far away everything changes
and the nostalgia tears you to pieces (i'm singing for my people)

They lyrics are sometimes a contrast to the upbeat nature of the music, with its Cuban beats, keyboard, and horns that generally make you want to dance (or at least shimmy a little).

In addition to the Museo de las Américas happy hour and conversation group, the Denver Spanish Language Meetup group is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish in a social setting. Generally hosted at a member's house, events are usually bimonthly and are an informal gathering of all level (beginner to native speakers) Spanish-speakers who are interested in practicing their Spanish.

Museo de las Américas offers some great programs to practice your Spanish in a fun setting.

Spanish Happy Hour

Every third Friday of the month from 5-8pm, Spanish-speakers of all levels are invited to have a drink and meet other Spanish-speakers. The cost is $3 for Museo members and $5 for general admission.

New Conversation class

Wednesday night is winemaker's night at The Vines of Mendoza in Argentina. For less than $7, the two hour interactive presentation showcases a particular winery, which in last night's case was Kaiken. The winemaker and head of exporting for the winery both presented information about the winery and the specific wines it produces, while we tasted Kaiken wines and snacked on cheese and bread in a lovely courtyard patio.

Title: El laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth)
Released: 2006

Whenever I wish I could be in Buenos Aires while living in Denver, I head to the Buenos Aires Pizzeria, a partially hidden gem in north downtown. There is something comforting about the atmosphere of the restaurant, with photo of Tango singer legend Carlos Gardel on the wall with various football paraphernalia and photos of the city. It's as if you've walked into any restaurant in Buenos Aires. The menu includes a nice selection of Argentine wines, empanadas, Argentine style pizza options, pastas, several typical sandwiches, and some delicious gelato.