36 Hours of adventure in Mendoza, Argentina

ARGENTINA’S financial crash in 2002 was actually a boon for the local wine industry. The devaluation of the peso meant that winemakers in this northern region of the country could deliver high-quality vintages to the export market at very low prices, even while the cost of making wine was dropping. Real estate prices also fell, and investors rushed in to snap up prime wine acreage at a fraction of the cost in other regions. Ten years later the result is a vibrant wine scene with a great array of bottles for different budgets and palates, cutting-edge eco-sustainable cantinas and a new generation of innovative winemakers. The city of Mendoza itself makes a good base for a visit, with new hotels, restaurants and bars in the historic center, and a mix of architecture that showcases Art Deco alongside ’60s modern (the vintage pickup trucks are also a throwback to another era). Just a short drive away are vineyards, adventure sports and resorts under the shadow of the Andes with wine lists that feature the best of the region.