Argentina
Wine plays an important part in Argentina’s potent mix of Spanish and Italian cultures. Delicious, soft reds are made in the Mendoza and San Juan regions, particularly from Malbec which has become the signature grape of Argentina, but many producers have looked to the mountains to produce their finest wines. Here, in high altitude Andean vineyards in Tupungato and Salta, night time temperatures are considerably cooler than those on the plains allowing slow ripening and the development of complex flavours.

Mexico
Mexico has a winery built in the 1590s making it the oldest wine producing country in the Americas. Not far from the US border on the Baja California Peninsula, is the LA Cetto winery, pronounced ‘Chetto’ because they are of Italian origin! Their vines are planted where it is cool, either a thousand feet up or where the sea fogs give protection from the strong sunshine. The resulting rich, Spanish-style reds are very successful.