You do not need to go to Mendoza to taste Argentine wine seriously. This two-hour tasting, led by a sommelier who speaks Spanish and English, pairs local wines with food and includes boutique wines that you may not find in a supermarket. The group is capped at eight participants, which keeps it relaxed and personal, and the tasting is rated 4.9 from more than two hundred reviews on its listing page. The page does not give an address or neighbourhood, so you should read the meeting details in your confirmation. Argentina is the world's leading producer of Malbec, but its wine map is broader than one grape. A good tasting covers white wines such as Torrontés, which is the signature white of the north, and reds from different altitudes and regions, so you can see how climate and soil change the glass. Because the wines are paired with food, you also learn why Argentines drink Malbec with beef and what other dishes suit lighter wines.
Who it suits
Curious drinkers, couples and anyone who wants to buy better bottles for the rest of the trip. A sommelier explains how to taste, what to look for and how to read a label, so the lesson applies to every restaurant and wine shop afterwards. If you are heading to Mendoza, it is a useful warm-up; if you are not, it is the closest you will get to a winery visit from the city. The small group lets you ask questions and compare notes.
Practical notes
The pace is easy, and the tasting involves several glasses, so eat lightly beforehand or rely on the food pairings. Tell the operator about food allergies, and book ahead for weekends. Free cancellation is listed on the page. The price is moderate for a guided tasting with food.
Alternatives
Other wine experiences in the city combine tastings with empanada classes, with walking tours of hidden wine bars or with a day trip to a bodega outside the capital. The Argentine Experience includes unlimited wine with dinner, and the rooftop asado pairs wines with seven courses.
If you want a quieter, educational evening centred on the glass, this tasting is the better pick. Keep an eye on the labels you enjoy, and look for them on restaurant lists afterwards, where you will often find them for a fraction of the price you would pay at home.
If you want to deepen the experience, consider following it with a visit to a good wine shop, where the staff can recommend bottles at all price levels, or a dinner at a restaurant with a strong Argentine list. A tasting leaves you with a vocabulary and a few names to look for, and that makes every later meal more enjoyable, whether it is a steak in San Telmo or an empanada in a park.
What to expect
The experience
A sommelier-led tasting of Argentine wines paired with food, including boutique wines, for a group of up to eight.
Best time
An early evening before dinner, or an afternoon break from sightseeing.
How long
About 2 hours.
Tips
Eat lightly beforehand, mention allergies when booking and check the meeting details in your confirmation.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wine lovers and curious beginners who want a focused tasting.
- Families
- An adult activity; not designed for children.
- Couples
- An easy, relaxed date.
- Pair with
- A parrilla dinner afterwards, where you can put your new knowledge to use.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
Who leads the tasting?+
A sommelier who speaks Spanish and English.
How big is the group?+
Capped at eight participants.
Is food included?+
The wines are paired with food, according to the booking page.
Is it only Malbec?+
A good tasting covers more than Malbec, though the page does not list the wines.
Where does it take place?+
The booking page gives only Buenos Aires; check your confirmation for details.
