QUICK SIPS:Argentina's TRIVENTO—Value & Flavor!

Wineaux, it's time to pepper the ol' blog with some shorter missives... I know a lot of you prefer getting info in smaller sound bytes, so welcome to QUICK SIPS, a series of posts short and to the point!


First up: a pair of wines from Trivento, in Argentina. These retail for about eleven dollars (though some places have them for $7-8!!) and are truly incredible bangs-for-the-buck. 

You are undoubtedly familiar with the quality of Malbecs coming out of Argentina, but check out this white made from Torrontés (Argentina's signature white grape,) and a very quaffable Cabernet Sauvignon:

2013 Trivento Torrontés Reserve: very pale greenish-yellow. Nose of lemon and lime and softly-perfumed peony florals, a bit of spice comes through in the mouth, with key lime pie, ripe pear, bitter herbs, grass, and yellow apple on the finish. Great flavors and zippy acidity. ~$11 WM: 88

2013 Trivento Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve: opaque ruby color. Nose of rosemary, mint, currant liqueur, blackberry. Pepper and spice notes join on the palate, with loads of dark fruits. Long, smooth finish. Delicious and very approachable! ~$11 WM: 89

Winemaker Maximiliano Ortíz also makes a Malbec and a Malbec/Cab Sauv blend in the Reserve line, so seek those out as well. Trivento is one of the largest wine estates in Mendoza, and takes prime advantage of its placement high up near the Andes for excellent winemaking conditions.

These are great wines for summer too—BBQs, Fourth of July, patio cocktails—and pair well with a range of dishes. The Torrontés will match grilled poultry, seafood, or Thai, and the Cab Sauv is fantastic with burgers, other red meat, and red pasta dishes. Break these out when you break out the grill! You can't afford NOT to.

Cheers!