Argentina

You may already be familiar with the reputations of Argentine beef, soccer and tango. You may even consider Argentinean wine, particularly Malbec, to be top flight. But what about Argentina as a destination for wine tourism? Does South America’s second largest country, with its rich history of grape production aided by immigrants from Italy and Spain, rank as a must-see place for anyone wanting wine to be at the heart of their vacation? Sí Señor(a), we say. And we’re excited to tell you why.

For starters, Argentina qualifies as one of the world’s few truly affordable wine regions to visit. Since a harsh devaluation of the peso occurred in late 2001, Argentina’s currency has hovered at three pesos to the dollar. What that means is a steak dinner for two with a bottle of good wine will set you back about $45; a chauffeur-driven car to a winery and then back again may run $25; and a local beer, always the best barometer for gauging relative costs, goes for under two dollars. An empanada for a buck? You bet.

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