Blog special from the winners of the Harpers/ Wines of Argentina competition - Part 6

In the next installment of our blog special from Argentina, Jenny Mackenzie tells us why she's starting to feel like the ambassador's wife. Over the past few days the winners of the Harpers/ Wines of Argentina Steak Your Claim competition have been updating us on their progress as they enjoy a tour of each of the main wine regions and visit key producers to give them a taste of what Argentina can offer the UK. They've been sending back missives of their travels. Over to Jenny...

Out to another 4 course dinner with the quesos grandes of Mendoza at Francesco Restaurant. It's a hard life. In company with Vistabla, Lorca, Septima, Norton and Achaval Ferrer - President Santiago was a charming man; super smart with wonderfully complex, elegant wines. Favourite was the 2006 Mirador, a Malbec with intention to express the terroir of the finca (in the Medrano region)....an inspiration.

Starting to feel like an ambassador's wife.

A massive steak at last with chimi-churri - herbs, oil, garlic, salt.

Early morning bus to San Juan.

First stop - Casa Montes, beautiful campo with rose bushes and eucaplyptus trees. Fantastic wines, extremely well made. Highlight was the experimental blend along with the fabulous late harvest tannat. Sebastian Pizarro, commercial manager, widely travelled and doing a great job. Not yet stocked in the UK, though they should be, fantastic qualtity for the price.

Lunch at the historic Graffigna - Another steak - nothing for days, then 2 come along at once - not complaining. La Callia also there, the Magna Grande (Shiraz) 07 was a great wine. Syrah is the grape of San Juan. Good wines from Graffigna, highlight the late harvest malbec - a style they are all starting to do. Fabulous with the pudding - pears, coffee cream and almonds. Starting to feel like a portly ambassador's wife.

Visit to the lovely, artesano La Guarda. Had to resucitate a mangled gata before we started the tour. The lovely Nadia donned rubber gloves and administed antispetic pending the vet's arrival. Highlight, more wonderfully spicy, expressive Syrah and Bonarda. A great place with Lucky the cutest perro so far.

Stinking like Stilton after a hot day, had the idea to have a quick swim and shower. Swing by ApartHotel + pool, think they thought we were going in for an orgy, so dropped that and went for beer instead on the neon drag of San Juan Centro.

Dinner at De Sanchez, effortlessly utilising speed tasting skills to speed eat - dulce de leche mousse, local brandy - San Juan (like Jerez, even smoother).

Hop on the night bus to Salta with Forbes' 5 aka Don Domingo - the Spanish speaking leader of the gang. Chica magnet Jake - our man from Gaucho, whose opening line is - May I use your facilities? Mystic Meeghan, who had an epiphany in Valle Perdidio and the only one who can manage sensible questions when the rest of us are doubled up with laughter at the end of the day. Ebullient Emily - 2 speeds, raucous or comatose, who we are trying to marry off to an Argentian polo-player in order to secure frequent re-visits to this incredible country. And me - provider of endless chocolate and agua-wallah.

The ambassador's wife signing off hasta manana. Senors, with these wines you are really spoiling us.

• Wines of Argentina
• Harpers Says...