Argentinian wine making may not be an ancient practice, but what the local industry lacks in experience, they’ve more than made up for in technique. The best wineries in Argentina are often recognized around the world for Malbec, with both red and white varieties produced in the country. 

But your wine tasting in Argentina isn’t limited to a single stem glass of Malbec; Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays, and more are produced in this part of South America. Keep an eye out for these award-winning Argentinian wines on your next trip to this sublime South American destination. 

Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2019

Sommeliers Choice Awards Gold Winner 2022

Producer: Aurelio Montes

Bottled in: Uco Valley

Price: $23.00

A dry red wine with fruity flavors as rich as its deep ruby color, the Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2019 took home the Gold Sommeliers Choice Award in 2022. Produced in Argentina, it was bottled by Aurelio Montes in the Mendoza region’s Uco Valley, where altitudes reach as high as 1100 meters above sea level. This Argentinian wine region is newer when it comes to its production of medium-bodied bottles, though the Kaiken Ultra proves that the organic grapes of the area are nevertheless top notch. Critics love fruit flavor blended with earthy tones. The light smokiness and oak notes end every sip with a mild tannic finish. 

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Alpasión Grand Chardonnay 2021

London Wine Competition Bronze 2023

Producer: Alpasión Wines

Bottled in: Uco Valley

Price: $30.00

Another award-winner from the Uco Valley, the Alpasión Grand Chardonnay 2021 won a Bronze award in 2023’s London Wine Competition, adding another award to Alpasión’s growing portfolio. This bottle is the only white wine in the producer’s Grand line, joining a number of exceptional Malbecs, Cabernet Francs, and Pinot Noirs. The Grand Chardonnay stands out for more than just its still white color. A partial malolactic fermentation and a year spent in French oak barrels yields both fruity notes of pineapple and lemon curd and an earthy notes of toasted oak and sea-shell minerality. And while Grand Chardonnay is available at your local spirits store, we urge you to consider uncorking it in situ. Alpasión Lodge is limited to 7 luxury rooms and 6 luxury glamping tents. With the Alpasión Restaurant on-site to let you drink in their wines and views of the Andes, it’s one of the best wineries in Argentina to spend your vacation at.

Cien por Ciento Torrontés 2021

USA Wine Ratings Gold 2022

Producer: Cien por Ciento

Bottled in: Mendoza

Price: $26.00

Ask a local what they’re drinking at a casual wine tasting in Argentina and they’ll likely show you a bottle of Cien por Ciento Torrontés on the table. For the uninitiated, the Torrontés wine is the other signature Argentinian wine. These light-skinned grapes grow near rows of Malbec in Mendoza’s high-altitude vineyards. The 2021 bottle is highly aromatic, matured in American oak barrels and sings a refrain of fruity notes. Its creamy texture is complex yet has an accessible taste that makes this white wine a favorite for Argentine locals and a gold medal winner in the USA Wine Ratings.  

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Origen Los Chacayes Malbec 2021

Decanter World Wine Awards Best in Show 2023

Producer: Terrazas De Los Andes

Bottled in: Uco Valley

Price: $14.00

You can never have too many Malbec options when wine tasting in Argentina, particularly when one includes Origen Los Chacayes’s 2021 Malbec. This Uco Valley wine earned a Best in Show rating in the latest Decanter World Wine Awards. It’s a show stealer: its character is as intense as its color is deep. Decanter’s tasters noted its meaty aromatic depth and definitive fruity strength characteristic of Argentina’s best Malbecs.

Elixio Cabernet Sauvignon

Berliner Wein Trophy 2023 Gold Winner 

Producer: Viña San Pedro Tarapacá 

Bottled in: Mendoza

Price: $9.00

A fitting Argentinian wine fitting for an asado dinner, the Elixio Cabernet Sauvignon by Graffigna is a classic addition to any wine cellar. Blackberry notes reign supreme in every deep red sip, with the occasional oak or spice slipping across your palate ever so subtly. Its ripe tannins endure a swirl around your mouth and its robust, rich flavors linger on the tongue long after it’s spat or swallowed. 

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2021 Norton 1895 Coleccion Chardonnay

New York International Wine Awards 2023 Mendoza Chardonnay Wine of the Year

Producer: Bodega Norton

Bottled in: Mendoza

Price: $15.00

Produced in Argentina, Bodega Norton’s 1895 line celebrates the vineyard’s founding year. 126 years later, the 1895 Coleccion continues to honor Argentine vintner past while delivering an approachable, modern wine in the 2021 Chardonnay. Aroma strength takes a backseat to dry citrus and apple notes. It’s a Chardonnay that’s well-structured for an uncompromising pure showcase of the varietal’s characteristics, sourced from one of the finest terroirs in the country.

Bodegas Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Franc 2022

Argentinian Cabernet Franc Trophy winner at IWC 2023

Producer: Fabre Montmayou

Bottled in: Mendoza

Price: $18.00

On the outskirts of Mendoza is an area called Luján de Cuyo, where a host of old vineyards produce incredible wines. These old vines and extreme growing conditions provide grapes of unparalleled concentration. Produced by Argentine Winemaker of the Year Hervé Fabre, this wine is completely hand-harvested and 60% of the juice sees 12 months in French oak.

Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec

Producer: Catena Zapata

Bottled in: Mendoza

Price: $85.00

Cruz del Sur – Gran Austral 2021

Producer: Fecovita

Bottled in: Mendoza

Price: $ details unavailable

Fecovita winery in Mendoza is one of the largest producers in the world, made up of over 5000 vineyard growers (with 25,000 hectares of vineyards between them). On nose this wine is described as ‘lush and full aromas of blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, cocoa and leather’. 2021 was a in interesting vintage in Argentina and although the cool growing season robbed the resulting wines slightly of alcohol, it blessed them in other ways with fine aromatics, acidity and elegance.

Alamos Red Blend 2021

Producer: Alamos

Bottled in: Mendoza

Price: $15

Savor Argentinian wines with Luxury Gold

Uncork an unforgettable wine tasting experience in Argentina during Luxury Gold’s Classic South America 12 day tour. Not only will you spend time drinking up the sights of Chilean wine country, but you’ll also have ample opportunity for wine tasting in Argentina. 

Sip on award-winning wines during a private eight-course dinner in Buenos Aires. As you savor each glass, learn more about the best wineries in Argentina’s Mendoza region, why the Malbec is unlike any other grape varietal in the world and how to tell a vintage from La Rioja from your wines of San Juan.

Discover your favorite Argentinian wine with us. 

Wine tasting in Italy is an experience that’s as educational as it is engaging. Whether you’re surrounded by an extensive collection of bottles in a cozy wine cellar or gazing at the vast Italian countryside amongst endless varietal blocks, Italian wine tasting in situ is an opportunity to learn about the history, culture, agriculture, and ancestry of a vineyard. 

Professional wine tasters, sommeliers, and artisan vintners have an unrivaled knowledge of these wines. More than simply knowing how to note each delicate finish, they act as guides to help you identify aromas, tastes, and tannins, enabling you to enjoy a full sensory experience from serve to swirl to spit. And, yes, it is polite to spit out wine at a tasting in Italy.

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Most wine tastings will have spittoons present so you can swirl and spit as needed. It’s also not offensive to dump a sample of wine if it’s not your preferred taste. However, keep in mind that these private wine tasting events are curated with a reverence for the wine and winemakers and are designed to amplify your experience. 

Remember that the high alcohol content and the potential limitation of food pairings will impact your experience as the tasting progresses. A single taste swallowed allows you to savor the initial flavor while a second sip spat into a spittoon lets you focus on the individual notes. 

There are hundreds of vineyards for private wine tasting in Italy, including these exquisite vineyards in Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto. 

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Tuscany

Envision your perfect private wine tasting in Italy and you’ll likely conjure up visions of the Tuscan hillside. Less than 200 miles from Rome, Tuscany’s Sangiovese grapes take center stage. Renowned dry red wines like Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano pair beautifully with Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This region has some of the best wine tasting in Italy and private wine tastings at these two wineries won’t disappoint.

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Brolio Castle

Ricasoli is the name in Tuscan wine: the family that created the original Chianti wine. Since the 1100s, the Ricasoli family’s estate has grown grapes for centuries. You can visit one of the oldest wineries in Italy and savor a stunning tour of the castle, vineyards, and Ricasoli cellars. Take the Privilege Tour and experience a private visit of Brolio Castle where you’ll taste the limited-quantities of flagship Castello di Brolio, classic Chiantis, and the 100% Trebbiano Sanbarnaba in the opulent formal dining room.

Antinori nel Chianti Classico

26 generations of winemakers have kept the Antinori family name respected throughout Italy. Learn more about the family’s history bottling classic Chiantis with a tour of the award-winning vineyard’s estate, which includes three tastings surrounded by the family’s private art collection. Those searching for a more immersive experience should take the Cru tour: a deep dive into Marchesi Antinori’s wine making philosophy. It includes a private wine tasting of the seven Crus best representing Antinori’s ambition.

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Piedmont

A region known around the world for its coveted white truffles, Piedmont offers some of the best wine tasting in Italy paired with some of the greatest truffle dishes on the planet. Just west of Milan, Piedmont is a place for gastronomic grandeur. Take advantage of private wine tastings at these two wineries that will prepare your palate for Piedmont’s exceptional bounty of culinary delights.

Casa di Langa

The world’s first hotel with a truffle concierge, Casa di Langa sits in the Alta Langa region of Piedmont. Pinot noirs and chardonnays are the featured wines of the area and the hotel’s two wineries. While the Nebbiolo vines in nearby Barolo and Barbaesco may tempt you for a vineyard visit, we recommend a special tasting in Casa di Langa’s wine academy. Tastings are limited in opportunity and capacity each day, while the range of sampling is anything but. Personalized blind tastings are accommodated, as are broad tastings that reflect the different varieties of the region. Naturally, the best way to follow up this experience is with a multi-course meal Fàula Ristorante where these wines are paired with creative plates and fresh truffles foraged from the hotel’s private forest.

Tenute Cisa Asinari Dei Marchesi

Since the late-1700s, the Grésy family’s four estates have cultivated exceptional vineyards between the Monferrato and Langhe hills. Their historic cellars are ideal for both wine connoisseurs and those just getting a taste for the delicate notes of a fine wine. Private tastings include tours of the cellar where Barbaresco DOCG wines are featured. The vertical tasting is especially intoxicating as it showcases five Barbaresco DOCG wines from three of the estate’s vintage labels.  

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Veneto

If Venice and Verona weren’t enough to make you fall in love with Italy’s Veneto region, then its wine will surely leave you smitten. Pinot grigio and Prosecco vye for your heart, each enticing you to deny your infatuation with the deep reds and instead embrace the white Italian wines at these wineries located in the heart of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG UNESCO Heritage site.

Il Colle

Though Il Colle has a history dating back only to the 1970s, the still and bubbly wines produced on their estate yield nothing less than memorable finishes reflecting the soil’s centuries of hard work cultivating a foundation for exceptional white grape growing. For those who want the ultimate Prosecco DOCG experience, nothing less than the premium itinerary tour will suffice. Not only will you taste a new vintage directly from one of the tanks in the winery, but you’ll also hand-pick six still or sparkling wines to sample with artisan cheeses and breadsticks.

La Tordera

With Venice on one side and the Dolomites on the other, there are few better places to find yourself than La Tordera’s winery in the hills of Valdobbiadene. A dynamic private tasting awaits those who desire an education in sparkling wine. Tour the winery with a guide and sample wines ranging from dry aperitif Proseccos to sparkling no-sugar wines for the discerning connoisseur. 

You’ll have no trouble keeping your wine glass full while on Luxury Gold’s Ultimate Italy tour. From Venice to Capri, you’ll spend 12 days exploring just as many cities. One of the highlights of this exciting tour awaits in Tuscany where you’ll enjoy a lunch and private wine tasting at Marchese Mazzei’s estate. You’ll also have daily opportunities to schedule your own wine tasting in Italy as you explore these iconic cities at your leisure. 

Which of Italy’s wine regions are you most excited to uncork? Let us know in the comments below.