Sun, clear air, cool elevated vineyards and great winemaking skills give Argentina all the ingredients for world class wines. Joanna Simon says: "As a wine country, Argentina has everything going for it" (The Sunday Times). The Waxed Bat is a triumphant creation from our good friend Opi Sadler, winner of two international Trophies to date, and winemaker at Andean Vineyards. The wine's name was inspired by memories of his grandfather's cellar - wine bottles sealed with heavy red wax and an occasional bat fluttering in the lamp light. Spicy, liquorice scented Shiraz, cassis laden Cabernet and dense Malbec create power and complexity. Smooth enough to drink on its own and terrific with spare ribs, steak or kebabs. Decant an hour in advance.

Moreishly fruity, Alambrado is from Familia Zuccardi, one of the finest cellars in all Argentina. Zuccardi are three times winner of Argentina’s ‘Top Value Brand’, presented by IWC, and family head José Alberto Zuccardi was given a lifetime achievement award by IWC in 2016. The family enjoy state of the art facilities in Maipo and Uco, yet remain committed to employing the local families who have served the company since José’s father’s time. This smooth, fruity Malbec is simple and tasty, with lots of easy-going fruit. A perfect midweek wine, with or without food, and here in a handy quarter size.

Aromas of violets, spice, ripe blueberries and boysenberry, with hints of mocha oak. The palate shows fresh fruits of red cherry, fresh cranberries with savoury chalky tannins which give length and finesse.

Stonier produces one of the most consistent Pinots from the Mornington Peninsula. Attractive plum and cherry flavours are enhanced by some gamey undertones and smoky oak influence. Perfect with duck.

Named after Alfred Pizzini's grandmother, this is a medium bodied Sangiovese - warm and humble just like its namesake. Aromas of lightly spiced plums and cherries lead to hints of chocolate, leather and lovely savoury characters. The palate is generous and full flavoured with good length, soft tannins and flavours of plums and cherries.

Don’t know Torrontés? This really is a white to try. Founded in 1963, Zuccardi is the most highly awarded winery in Argentina. It was originally set up to illustrate a new method of irrigation that founder Alberto Zuccardi had invented. Today it is run by the second and third generations – José Alberto Zuccardi, given a Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work, as well as the the ‘Legend Winemaker’ prize from Tim Atkin MW, while his son Sebastián, was named Decanter’s Top Winemaker of South America. “Zuccardi keeps going from strength to strength with their top-level wines” wrote Wine Advocate, while Tim Atkin MW declared, “The quality of the wines ... has never been better … great wines, not just of south America, but the world”. Finca Beltran Torrontés is crisp, aromatic, fresh, with citrus & minerality.

Occupying some of the more elevated land in the Canberra District, Quarry Hill produces a Shiraz with ripe flavours and excellent natural acids; the hallmarks of great cool-climate Shiraz. Aged in a mix of new and older French oak, the wine is bright purple in the glass, follwed by aromas of raspberry, plum, spice and a little pepper. Through the palate, there are flavours of mulberry and plum, fine tannins and a crisp, dry finish.

Built in 1898, Terrazas's winery was built by Sotero Arizu, one of the pioneers in the creation of the wine production market in Argentina. The oldest vineyard Las Compuertas was planted in 1929, designed to produce the ultimate expression of Malbec. Today, Argentina dominates the world in Malbec production and has helped popularize the grape around the world. Surrounded by the high peaks of the Andes, Terrazas's vineyard is located in the heart of Mendoza's Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley. With the extremely high altitude, low rainfall and rocky soil, wines made in the region are pushed hard for hydration and nutrients. The results of successful wine in this region develop intensely vivid flavours. The climate also assists in lowering acidity, which assists in the winemakers in producing the purest expression of each wine.