Sure, you’ve been dabbling in the Malbecs for sale at your local wineshop at home. In North America and Europe, the number of Argentine labels hitting shelves has grown faster than an Argentine pick-pocketer. The big-guns like Catena, Norton, Zuccardi, Trapiche are still the growing, and can be found just about any where, from Vancouver to Melbourne.

When in Argentina, however, it’s time to branch out and sample something else.

But once you’ve landed at EZE and have embarked on you first perusal of an authentic Argentine wine list, you may not recognize many of the labels. What do you do? Where do you start? Well, don’t start by ringing me on my cell phone!

Don’t fret! This is not a test; you won’t fail. You can, however, easily make a wrong choice.

Just remember these few stalwarts and you’ll be safe.

Here’s my shortlist for the best high-value, commonly-offered Argentine wines for under P$100.

1. Luigi Bosca Malbec DOC.  Always excellent. Especially 2006. Both the Reserva and Single Vineyard are superb.

2. Ruca Malen Malbec. Buttery and scrumptuous.

3. Any Malbec by Achaval Ferrer or los Hermanos Durigutti.

4. Carmelo Patti Cabernet Sauvignon. Like anybody whose met him, I truly adore the legendary Carmelo and his old-fashioned, unpretentious winemaking. You will too.

5. Blends: If you’re lucky, the list will include the superb B Crux from O. Fournier. My second choice for a blend (un corte en castellano) is Corte B from Vistalba. If the price is a bit high for you, go with the Corte C and you will not be disappointed.

6. Saurus Pinot Noir. Always interesting Patagonian wine.

7. Callia Syrah. Spicy, rich and unbelievable value.

8. Quara Torrontes. For white wine drinkers, this is my favourite of all the widely-sold Torrontes’, a fruity gem from Cafayate.

Now, these certainly aren’t my all-time favourite wines in Argentina (only one of which comes in under P$50) but they are ones you are most likely to see next time you go out for a bife de lomo in Palermo, a chivito in Mendoza, locro in Salta or cordero patagonico down south.

These are wines that you can rely on. Salud!