Mexico Visit
Monday, March 15th, 2010Last week I had a very quick trip to Mexico City to meet up with Global Traveler’s representative, Fernando Palacios Oaxaca, a great guy and a real champion for GT. It was a fantastic trip; and I stayed at the beautiful and brand-new St. Regis, perfectly located on Paseo de la Reforma, right on the circle of the statue of the Angel of Independence. On Sundays, Paseo de la Reforma is closed to automobile traffic to encourage pedestrians and bicyclists.
One of my meetings while I was in Mexico City was with Adolfo Crespo, senior vice president of customer service and corporate communications with Mexicana Airlines. Adolfo and I had begun communicating when the readers of Global Traveler selected Mexicana “Best Airline in Mexico” in 2009. We discussed the exciting menu changes that Mexicana has made to its menu under Master Chef Enrique Olvera (featured in Global Traveler’s “Bon Vivant” November 2009). We also discussed the exciting wines from Mexico that Mexicana added to their menu under Sommelier Sandra Fernandez. While we were talking with Adolfo, he arranged a meeting with Sandra at her restaurant Tierra de Vinos in Mexico City.
It was wonderful to meet with Sandra while she introduced us to the oldest vineyard in the Americas, Casa Madero (1597). Casa Madero has several wines on the menu exclusively created for Mexicana — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo blend and Chardonnay-Chenin Blanc. In September, Mexicana will serve wines exclusively planned since 2006 for Mexicana to celebrate the country’s bicentennial. Only 200 cases will be made for Mexicana, and Sandra will have 100 cases for her shop/restaurant.
It is worth a visit to Mexico City to take in the culture and enjoy some fine Mexican wines!
– Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO










