25 Wine and food pairings from Argentina you must try

Wine can be enjoyed equally with food, but food without wine doesn't shine the same way. Especially in a wine-producing country like Argentina, so influenced by immigrant waves for centuries. This has resulted in a diverse and attractive culinary offering, covering all styles and origins in terms of flavors and ingredients. From the most traditional local cuisine, dominated by grilled meats and Italian pastas, to the most varied fusion cuisine. This explains the large number of restaurants in Buenos Aires, frequented by residents and tourists who see "going out to eat" as one of the most attractive pastimes.

And it's in the restaurants where wines shine the most, as diners are at the table, assisted by waiters, and eating what they desire at that moment. Fortunately, the diversity of Argentine wine caters to everything, covering the entire wine spectrum: from reds and whites to sparkling wines, rosés, oranges, and sweets. In each category, not only are many styles well represented, but the terroirs, grapes, methodologies, and winemakers multiply the label offerings exponentially. This is why finding a good pairing is quite easy, as there are "a thousand wines for each dish and a thousand dishes for each wine." Nevertheless, a guide of recommendations is very helpful in choosing better according to individual tastes and preferences.

Therefore, here are 25 wine and food pairings from Argentina that you must try to get the most out of both the alcoholic beverage and the delicacy you are about to enjoy.

What wine to pair with sushi or paella?

While not native, sushi and all types of rolls, which arrived in the '90s, have not only stayed but become one of the city's richest offerings. There's Nikkei style, more traditional Japanese, or the new omakase. With so many variations, a "joker wine" is needed, one that is also refreshing. The only one that meets all these requirements is rosé wine, like Punto Final Organic Rose Malbec 2022.

Sushi can be seen as a new way of eating rice in Buenos Aires, while paella is much more traditional, as about 50% of the country's residents are of Hispanic origin. This explains the large number of Spanish restaurants and taverns where these seafood and meat rice dishes shine. Just as in Valencia, the paella mecca, these dishes are also best enjoyed with well-structured rosé wines, such as Antonieta Pinot Noir Rosé 2022.

What food pairs best with Torrontés wine?

Moving to whites, there's one that must be tried when arriving in Buenos Aires, and that's Torrontés, as it's a wine made nowhere else in the world. This fragrant and aromatic white goes very well with spicier international foods like Mexican and Thai, but even better with locro. Additionally, Nido del Tigre Blanco de Jardín Torrontés Centenario 2022 is ideal to accompany this Andean stew made with corn and pumpkin.

What Argentine wine is best with chicken?

While Argentina is renowned for its red meats, especially from La Pampa, there's one white meat that stands out: free-range chicken, which could be accompanied by a light red, but is better with a full-bodied white with sustained acidity like Terrazas Grand Chardonnay 2021.

What is the ideal wine to accompany offal?

Since every good barbecue begins with offal, it's best not to jump straight to red wine but rather start with a more lively and refreshing wine, with textures that clean the palate after enjoying sweetbreads, chitterlings, and kidneys, as a good orange wine does. One of the most innovative in this style is Apuntes Naranjo 2022 by Luigi Bosca.

Those who prefer to skip this step or don't have time to sit at the table can't miss out on eating a choripán, the most Argentine sandwich there is. While it can be paired with various wines or even other drinks like beer and fernet, to add a sophisticated touch to the pairing with an emphasis on patriotism, a sparkling rosé made from Malbec is ideal. Among this variety, Indomable Rosé de Malbec is one of the most chosen, as its bubbles go very well with charcuterie in general and balance the fatty textures of the country's most famous sausage.

What wine to pair with a good Argentine barbecue?

Every barbecue needs a generous red, with early tannins that clean the mouth without sweeping away the "taste" of the barbecue. Since this is the most famous "carnivorous" dish, it should be accompanied by the most famous red: Malbec. But not just any Malbec, a distinctive pairing can be with the new The President’s Malbec 2021.

The grill may seem limited but actually offers countless options because, in addition to the origin of the meats, there are cuts and cooking points, and even these can come to the table with different maturity points, whether dry-aged or wet-aged. Among these cuts, there are two stars: the striploin, which calls for a more robust and friendly Malbec, like Cadus Single Vineyard Finca Las Torcazas Estate Malbec 2019. The other is the ribeye, which, due to its consistency and delicate tenderness from intramuscular fat, needs a more elegant Malbec with balanced tannins that accompany each bite without overpowering, like Lindaflor Malbec 2017.

Which grape variety to choose when eating pork, lamb, or fish?

For pork, regardless of its preparation, an elegant Merlot like Anita by Finca La Anita always pairs well. Lamb too, but if it comes from Patagonia, we recommend choosing a Pinot Noir from the area like Saurus Barrel Fermented Pinot Noir 2021, especially for those who prefer their red to be lighter.

If opting for grilled river fish, a soft red in flavors and textures like La Linterna Finca Las Piedras Parcela 12 Pinot Noir 2017 should be chosen. While many might think Buenos Aires turns its back on water due to the abundance of land-based culinary offerings, more and more restaurants specialize in gourmet fish preparations, such as black hake. It pairs well with white wines but also with a fresh and tense Merlot from deep Patagonia, like Otronia 45 Rugientes Merlot 2021.

Pizza with beer or wine?

While most people pair pizza with beer or vermouth, there are also wines that pair very well. If it's red, it should be light and vibrant, like Altos Las Hormigas Terroir Orgánico Luján de Cuyo Malbec Orgánico 2019.

What wine to pair with a Milanesa or Shepherd's Pie?

Omnipresent in homes, canteens, bars, and restaurants, breaded and fried meat (not baked, which can't be called milanesa) pairs very well with a fresh and friendly Malbec, like Conclave Nocturno Malbec 2020. Another very local dish, also common in taverns, especially in winter, is shepherd's pie, which requires a juicy and fresh red, like Simonassi Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 from San Rafael.

If it's cold, nothing beats a lentil stew. This pot dish goes very well with a balanced and deep blend like Flechas de los Andes Gran Corte 2019. And speaking of pot dishes, Spanish taverns in the center serve "Spanish stew" all year round, especially in winter, which calls for a red with enveloping tannins and easy drinking, like Ricardo Santos Malbec 2020.

What good Argentine wine for homemade pasta?

In Argentina, pasta is as common as meat. Famous noodles with sauce and stew pair very well with a harmonious blend like the San Juan Mora Negra 2020. For stuffed pasta, such as lamb ravioli with mushroom and cream sauce, they shine if paired with a complex and balanced red like Domaine Nico Le Paradis Pinot Noir 2018. Pinot Noir is increasingly chosen at the table, not only for its versatility but also for being soft. This is why it's also ideal to accompany another marvel of Italian cuisine, risotto. A good example is Puramun Pinot Noir 2022 by José "Pepe" Galante.

What wine to pair with vegetarian dishes?

A grilled vegetable platter or lentil "burger" can be better enjoyed with a light and organic red, like Artesano Malbec Orgánico Natural 2022. As every good meal ends with a good cheese platter before desserts, there are also wines that shine at this moment. It's true that this step is often used to finish the important wine. But if the after-dinner extends, nothing beats an aged wine like Montchenot Gran Reserva 15 Años 2008, accompanied by a selection of hard and semi-hard cheeses, for a grand gastronomic finale.