On November 20th, Argentina will celebrate its National Sovereignty Day, commemorating a battle in 1845 when a small Argentine army stood against an Anglo-French navy. Although Argentina lost the battle, it did result in a treaty and more peaceful waters. In the struggle, Argentina proved to be resilient and resourceful, traits that remain today.
So what’s great about this South American beauty? Let’s start with its vibrant capital Buenos Aires. More than 12 million people live in the port city, home to fantastic restaurants, trendy bars, museums and parks. It’s a great place to soak up Argentinian culture, maybe even learn to tango! The landscape is vast and magnificent, from the Iguazu Falls to the Patagonian Desert, to the Glaciers National Park.
But in the Mendoza region in the west of Argentina, you’ll find a real gem – Malbec. While France was this grape’s original home, Argentina is home to almost 70% of the world’s Malbec vineyards. But we grow it in Australia too, including in South Australia’s McLaren Vale.
At Price’s Wines vineyard, we grow our own Malbec, producing our flavoursome Block 1. This wine has been described as “youthful, pristine and beautifully lifted” with a “plump mouthfeel and silky tannins”. At Price’s, we’d say it’s a delicious drop that’s versatile. It goes with a wide variety of foods.
In Argentina, Malbec is the drink of choice with their national dish, Asado, essentially a big mouth-watering BBQ. Think beef, pork, chicken, chorizo cooked on an open grill – and a substantial social gathering to enjoy it. What a great way to experience Malbec!