bikes & wine

So I did it.



The infamous wine rendezvous through Mendoza valley, but instead of doing a wine tour, I decided to rent a bicycle. It has been too long since I've ridden a bicycle drunk ;) There are actually many places you can rent bicycles in Mendoza, but no place has been mentioned more then Mr. Hugo.



Friday afternoon I hopped on a bus at 10:00am and headed to Mr. Hugo's place so I could start my wine tasting early. He was a super nice guy who had loads of bikes and maps to direct me where to go. There were 10 wineries listed but everyone I've met who has done the bike and wine experience told me that it is damn near impossible to go to every one, not because they are far apart, but because you get completely smashed. Nahhhh. I thought. All of those people must be lightweights. I'm a 6ft tall, Mississippi bred, whiskey drinkin' heavyweight. A glass of wine at each winery isn't going to do anything but help me sleep.
What I found out is that each place doesn't give you just a sample of wine, but instead 3 or 4 glasses!
(The picture below was my first tasting.)





Despite what everyone said, I did manage to make it to every bodega on the list. No one, however, gave me more wine then Mr. Hugo. I got back to his place around 4:00pm after getting a little lost. I ended up biking about 5 km out of the way, but it was good exercise. When I got back there were 4 other people sitting outside drinking more wine. I sat down with a couple from Australia who were traveling around the world for 2 years while Mr. Hugo came over and filled up my glass. I'd finish my cup and then he'd come fill it up. I'd finish another cup and then he'd come again and fill it up with a grin. After about 4 cups of delicious Syrah from the generous Mr. Hugo I had to tell him

No mas, por favor!!

and then he would chuckle and ask

Por que? No quieres mas? while filling up everyone's cups again.

I was beginning to wonder if he would ever run out of wine!!

It wasn't until 8:00pm when everyone managed to stumble out of their chairs and stagger onto the bus headed back towards town. I was supposed to go to a birthday party when I got back with a friend I met on couchsurfing, but instead I ended up puking in the street and then retiring to bed. No more wine for me. Well, at least for today:)