Bodega Elena de Mendoza® Imports Argentine Friend's Day to U.S.

MENDOZA, Argentina, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For most Americans, July 20th might just be another day on the calendar between the 4th of July and Labor Day, but for Argentines, the day is anything but ordinary. Already a beloved holiday in its native Argentina, this year, Argentine wine Bodega Elena de Mendoza is bringing Friend's Day across the ocean to celebrate friendship here in the United States.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110711/NY32832LOGO)

El Dia del Amigo – or Friend's Day – was the brainchild of Enrique Febbraro, an Argentine teacher and musician that was overcome by the global camaraderie he felt the day Neil Armstrong made his moon landing in 1969.  Febbraro lobbied Argentine authorities to commemorate the historic occasion with a new holiday celebrating friendship. Today, Friend's Day is celebrated on July 20th in Brazil, Uruguay, Spain and – of course – Argentina, where the holiday has become an important way for friends to connect over food, fun and a delicious glass of wine.

Bodega Elena's team of winemakers have developed the following tips for celebrating Friend's Day like a true Argentine:

1. Devour a steak. To properly celebrate Friend's Day, it's best to bite into a juicy steak. But remember to be friendly and let your pal have a bite of your bife de chorizo (sirloin strip steak), too.
2. Play or watch football (see also: soccer) with friends. This year, the biggest football tournament in South America – the Copa America – is taking place in Argentina from July 1st through July 24th. In fact, one of the Copa's semifinal matches takes place this July 20th in Mendoza, Argentina.
3. Eat late. It's not unusual to see entire families packed into restaurants well into the wee hours on weekend nights. In fact, it's unusual to have dinner before 10pm in Buenos Aires any day of the week.
4. Have an asado (barbecue) with friends. As the official Asador – or Grillmaster – you'll be expected to tend to the endless array of meats sizzling on the grill.
5. Call a friend you haven't seen in a while. Sure, you can poke them on Facebook, retweet their latest musing, or send them a heartfelt email, but on this fine occasion, you should really pick up the phone and call.
6. Make a new friend. What better way to celebrate such a social holiday? You don't need to approach a random stranger on the street and start a conversation (though that might work). Instead, take the time to get to know an acquaintance from work. You'll be glad you did.
7. Give someone a token of your friendship. Friend's Day is the perfect occasion to give someone close to you a small gift that shows you appreciate them. The gift needn't be ostentatious, but rather something that captures what the person means to you. One popular item: a bottle of wine.
8. Raise a glass of Bodega Elena wine and give a toast to your friends. What better way to celebrate how awesome your mates are than by saluting them with a delicious glass of vino? Here's a simple, elegant toast: "Brindo por la amistad y el buen vino," which means, "Here's to good wine and good friends."

Bodega Elena wines are handcrafted in Argentina's Eastern Mendoza region, the heart of winemaking in the country. The portfolio of wines, which includes the iconic Malbec, a bright Chardonnay and an intensely flavorful Red Blend, is available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $9.

Argentinean Table Wine, ©2011 Bodega Elena USA, Hayward, CA. All rights reserved

SOURCE Bodega Elena de Mendoza