An exciting country with a strong fusion between Latin American and European cultures it has several growing regions of which the best known is probably Mendoza in the Andean foothills. The mountain region is most famous for red wines, especially from Argentina`s signature grape, Malbec, originally from Cahors in SW France. Its most characteristic white is grown further north in Salta and is called Torrontes – a Gewurztraminer like fruit. Newly developing areas for wine include the very southerly, cold and windswept Patagonia, which many hail as a great area to grow Pinot Noir. (CW 23/01/12)