Mendoza is a highly mischievous place, and the instigator is chief in Mr Hugo, proprietor of ´Bikes and Wines´. His venture was advertised in our hostel, but we had already heard tales back in Bariloche of his exuberant character and free-flowing wine. His business is on the wine circuit in Maipu, a region producing 60% of Argentina´s wine (and an even greater proportion of its exports), which in turn is the world´s 5th largest wine producer. The majority of vineyards sprawl over the flatter lands and lower hills of Maipu, at 800 metres above sea level. This is red wine territory - many of the white grapes are harvested at a higher altitude, though one of our favourite wines back home comes from the vines planted by Nicolas Catena Zapeta at 5,000 metres. Unfortunately, we´re not
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