Some fathers revere certain labels like hidden treasure. Others don’t give much away but they know a good wine when they drink one. Some love Bordeaux, others a Tuscan Sangiovese and others will never forget the Cabernet they were once served in the Napa Valley.
For this Father’s Day, the plan is to toast in Argentine style; the country has a wonderful range of styles and terroirs to offer that are sure to delight curious palates.
For Bordelais fathers: blends with an Andean character
If your father yearns for a Château Margaux, then Argentine bordelais blends present a perfect halfway point between European tradition and New World character. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot are all used artfully in complex, elegant and energetic wines with a character that you’ll only find up in the mountains.
A good place to start is Clos de los Siete, the wine made by Michel Rolland with grapes from Vista Flores, Uco Valley. Another essential option is Diamandes de Uco Gran Reserva Blend, a precise, vibrant wine.
Other stand-outs include Albaflor Tinto de Corte, Alpasión Private Selection Blend and the elegant Finca Ambrosía Grand Cru Blend, a Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec-Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary of great depth.
Beyond Mendoza, Barzi Canale Blend de Familia (Río Negro) and Del Fin del Mundo Special Blend (Neuquén) present Patagonian takes on the Bordelais style. And in Salta, the Calchaquí Valleys lend intensity to wines such as Arnaldo B from Etchart or El Porvenir de Cafayate Ícono, which harmoniously bring Tannat into the game.
For fathers who prefer Burgundy
Fathers who enjoy the subtlety of a cold climate Pinot Noir or Chardonnay will find some surprising gems in Argentina. Both the Uco Valley and Patagonia provide the ideal conditions for delicate, aromatic and fresh wines.
Among the Pinot Noirs, we suggest beginning with Kaiken Ultra or the elegant Laureano Gómez Reserva. In Patagonia, notable labels include Familia Schroeder Barrel Fermented, Aniello 006, Marcelo Miras and Marantiqua. Further south, 45 Rugientes (Otronia) and Familia de Bernardi are setting the standard for southerly winemaking.
Among the whites, Chardonnays from Tupungato such as Atamisque, Huentala Gualtallary and Buscado Vivo o Muerto El Cerro, stand out for their tension and mineral qualities. Meanwhile, in Patagonia, Casa Yagüe Elevage and Malma Rara Avis deliver electrifying elegance and freshness.
For the Napa-loving father: Cabernets with verve
Some fathers love Californian Cabernets for their muscle and depth, and for them Argentina has versions with more heft than opulence but that are equally seductive. In areas such as the Uco Valley, Luján de Cuyo and Cafayate, the variety is reaching an incredible level.
Recommended wines from Mendoza include Gauchezco Reserva, Sottano Reserva de Familia, Herencia Trabajo from Bodega Polo and Casa Araujo Cask. To the north, Tukma Reserva, Domingo Molina and Tacuil Cabernet Sauvignon express the power of high altitude Cabernet while also bringing excellent freshness and structure.
In addition to their intensity, the inimitable character of these wines is completed by precision and ripeness; ideal for fathers with forthright tastes.
For fathers with a weakness for Tuscany: Bonarda with an Italian spirit
If your father loves Italian cuisine and reds with a rustic soul, Argentine Bonarda might well surprise him. The second most widely planted red in Argentina is now enjoying a well-deserved revival.
In San Rafael, Cavas Don Nicasio Gran Reserva and Alfredo Roca Parcelas Originales offer fresh, classic versions of the variety. In Luján de Cuyo, Lamadrid Reserva, Finca Iral Single Vineyard Ugarteche and Gran Dante Bonarda present a fleshier, more modern take. From La Rioja we get the intense Nina Gran Bonarda from San Huberto, while in San Juan the juicy Paz de Finca Las Moras is a stand out.
For fathers who enjoy a good homemade pasta you can’t go wrong with a Bonarda served slightly chilled.
For fathers who celebrate with bubbles: high altitude sparkling wines
Champagne is unique, but not irreplaceable. In Argentina, sparkling wines are earning new followers with their own style through wines made using the traditional method and grapes grown at high altitude, resulting in excellent refinement and freshness.
Recommended labels include Luigi Bosca Extra Brut, Nieto Senetiner Grand Cuvée, Escorihuela Gascón Extra Brut Rosé and Foster Lois Malbec Rosé. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, try the aromatic Tapiz Extra Brut de Torrontés, the refreshing Chandon Garden Spritz or the Lagarde Dolce de Moscato Bianco, which is perfect for dessert.
Giving an Argentine wine this Father’s Day isn’t just a matter of good taste: it’s an opportunity to rediscover the country through its bottles and show that you really care.
Argentine wine is continuously evolving and that, like fathers everywhere, is worth toasting.If you’d like to know more about Argentine wines in the Silver Economy, we invite you to click here.
