ON THE GRAPEVINE

BY SAM WYLIE HARRIS

WHEN it comes to wines you want to drink again and again, reds with gusto, superb concentration of fruit, or – on the other side of the coin – a pinot noir with subtle elegance and an honest price point, South America has cornered the market. Here’s what’s ‘peaked’ our interest from the highest vineyards in the world... 1.

Rutas de Cafayate Malbec 2020, Salta, Argentina, £8, Sainsbury’s

We’ve a sweet spot for this good, solid malbec from

Salta, where some of the vineyards soar at 3,000 metres above sea level.

This one’s from Cafayate, one the best-known sub-regions and offers a bright plummy nose, generous layers of ripe red fruits and a flick of spice – a smooth ride all the way.

2. Errazuriz Estate Series Pinot Noir 2019, Aconcagua Valley, Chile, £9.99 or £8.99 mix six, Majestic

One of Chile’s signature grapes, this is a silky pinot noir from the Aconagua Valley, where Argentina’s slender cousin benefits from cool Pacific breezes. The result is this smooth, silky pinot that’s fresh and floral with cherry aromas, dark raspberry fruit with an earthy edge, touch of pepper and graceful finish.

3. OPI Malbec 2020, Mendoza, Argentina, £9.99, Laithwaites

Mendoza produces more than 80% of the country’s vino and with more than 300 days of sunshine, malbec is a magnet for anyone who loves a wine with a warm personality. With fetching notes of cassis, blackcurrant and sweet spice, backed by a generous core of ripe blackberry fruit, plums and hints of violet, it’s expressive with a smooth finish. 4.

Zuccardi Valles Bonarda 2018, Mendoza, Argentina, £11.95 (was £13.95), Cheers Wine Merchants

A broad-shouldered red to remind us there’s more to Mendoza than malbec, bonarda (aka douce noir) is the country’s second most-planted variety. Brimming with perfumed blackberry fruits galore, luxuriously soft and juicy, rich and flavoursome, it’s a wonderful combination of creme de cassis, dark cherries and blackberry.