Argentine Sauvignon Blanc

Argentine wine is amazing, but the rest of the world didn't catch on until about 30 years ago. Since then, Argentine wine has been exported all over the place, delighting wine drinkers in the U.S. with delicious glasses from San Juan, Mendoza, La Rioja, Salta and Catamarca. If you love organic, go Argentine, because it's easier to grow grapes in Argentina without pesticides and chemicals.

Malbec is the most famous wine to come out of Argentina, and though it is actually a French grape it is still famously grown in Argentina.

Expect a dry, full-bodied wine with lots of tannins when you taste a Malbec. It is an easy red to drink, and delightful dark berry notes permeate the wine. You might experience blackberry, black cherry or plum as you sip. Other flavors like smoke and tobacco often characterize a Malbec, too. To make that glass of Malbec really pop, drink it with game meats, beef, sausage and mushrooms.

If Malbec is Argentina's famous red, then Torrontes is its slightly less well-known but still famous white. This aromatic white features delightful floral scents and a few sweet fruit notes. You might expect a mouthful of Riesling after inhaling a glass of Torrontes, but in fact, you'll be sipping on a dry white with medium acidity, only a little sweetness and fabulous fruit hints.

Though other parts of the world grow Malbec grapes, Argentina is almost the only place you'll find Torrontes (though a few vintners in Chile and Peru make it, too.) Torrontes is delicious with Asian spicy foods, like Indian and Thai.

If you're not into Malbec or not in the mood for that flavor, go for Bonarda. This red is becoming popular in Argentina, but it's still floating a bit under the radar. You'll be the first to bring it to a party or order it at a restaurant, and who doesn't love being first? Expect flavors of black cherry, allspice and violet when you sip. It has low tannins, high fruit taste and a bright acidity.

Thanks to Argentina's microclimates, the rather difficult Tempranillo grape can flourish in certain Argentine regions. This Spanish grape has light fruit flavors unless you get an oak-aged variety. Then you can expect darker fruits and a heavier taste. Some vintners think it's a bit boring on its own, so they mix it with Garnacha. Either way, Argentine vintners do a good job growing this finicky grape.