Enter Torrontes, the white wine that Argentina has begun to hang their hats on.  It has some of the light crisp characteristics of Albarino’s and Sauv. Blanc’s, but is very much its own varietal.  Some of the most interesting stuff I’ve found is grown at high altitude – over 5,000 feet – in the Calchaquíes Valleys of the North.

Here is a previous review – Nomade Torrontes.

Thus, Argentina is one of the two southern-most countries of South America – sharing the southern exposure with Chile (and it’s entire western border).   It shares northern borders with Uraguay, Brazil, Paraguay, and also Bolivia while the Atlantic Ocean dominates it’s eastern border.

Major population centers Beunos Aires and Cordoba are in the mid 30′ degrees south, or about equivalent with the length Los Angeles and San Francisco are from the equator.  The well known wine country of Mendoza is also around 35 degrees south and sits up against the Andes Mountain range, close to the Chile border.

Argentina is also, fittingly, becoming known for their fine wines – the signature of which is Malbec on the red side.

We kicked off Argentina month on Monday night, with our good friend the big cat, by enjoying some steaks and a bottle of Terrazas Reserva 2007 Malbec over a couple of great hours of conversation.

We’re looking forward to going beyond Steak and Malbec in Argentina this month.