Vino Tinto
I can´t remember the last time I drank red wine that came out of a box. I´m certain that when and/or if this has ever occurred, it has been an act of desperation and a genuine result of zero options. However, I am now forced to revise this personal statistic as I have willingly consumed – relished, even – a glass of boxed vino tinto.
The circumstances involved are exceptional. The evening in question was the third and final night of our 4-day trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a breathtaking and awe inspiring enigma of history, if I´ve ever seen one. However, the night before we began our pre-dawn hike up to the Sun Gate, our group of 11 hikers were treated to an exceptional campsite meal. The chef of our trek (we had a real chef!), Roberto, produced an astonishing meal from the cook tent perched at 2800m. in the Peruvian jungle. 
In the mess tent, with real tables and chairs, we were presented with a first course of delicious chili-vegetable soup followed by a main course of stuffed chicken in cream sauce, tender beef in gravy, fresh beet and apple salad, garlic bread, fluffy rice, and delicate toasts with mandarin-raisin salad. I was agog. How he could´ve conceived such an elaborate meal -nay, feast! – in such an environment is amazing. And to this meal was added the vino. Maybe it was the altitude, or the aching muscles or the good company, but that wine was a lovely slice of luxury next to that dinner.
More to follow on this Wonder of the Modern World as soon as we can upload some pictures. This trek was one of the most incredible things we have done this past year.