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15 best Argentine wines for a taste of the region: From Malbec to Torrontes

While we’re unable to travel, let’s raise a glass and explore all the country has to offer 

John Clarke
Wednesday 01 July 2020 16:53 BST
Responsible for 80 per cent of the country's exports, the Mendoza wine regions is tucked into the Andes where high altitudes favour wine growth
Responsible for 80 per cent of the country's exports, the Mendoza wine regions is tucked into the Andes where high altitudes favour wine growth (The Independent/iStock)

Set against the backdrop of the Andes, Argentina produces new world wines that perfectly complement old world tastes.

Here, international grape varieties flourish, with one variety above all, malbec, taking the lead role in the country’s wine production. But that’s not too surprising.

A grape variety that does well enough in its French homeland has thrived and prospered in Argentina, displaying a richness and a quality that sets it apart from other malbecs.

Naturally, our round-up concentrates on some of those splendid malbecs that offer great value for money.

But there are other great red wines too, ranging from the under-rated alphonso lavalle grape, through pinot noir to Bordeaux-like blends that bring out the best the Argentinian terroirs can offer.

As for white wines look no further than the highly aromatic torrontes, a variety unique to Argentina.

As more and more discerning wine drinkers are finding, it’s a country that can offer a range of wines to suit everyone.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

The verdict: Argentine wines

A consistency in quality and taste makes it hard to pick just one top wine from this selection. It could have been the medal-winning Los Haroldos Hermandad Blend, a superb blend of four varieties, the aromatic Florel Torrontes, an excellent white wine choice or the enterprising Alfonso the Grape. In the end, however, it had to be a malbec and the Tesco Finest Angelica Sur Malbec is all a red wine should be; juicy, soft and succulent and a reminder of why Argentina is a leading wine producer.

Finally, you’ll find that one of the wines here, the Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard malbec, is available through a scheme called Help 4 Hospitality (H4H). It’s a pop-up online wine shop set up to provide essential support and care for both individuals and businesses in the hospitality sector who are suffering because of the Covid-19 crisis. It has set a target of raising £250,000 by 1 August. A large range of wines can be purchased direct at help4hospitality.com/ and delivered to your door in about five days with 12.5 per cent donated to the appeal.

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