Thread: What wine should I buy?!

I am going to an Argentinean restaurant with my GF. It is a BYOB place, and am looking to take a bottle of wine that will pair well with the meal.

Any recommendations? Mainly something pretty cheap (<$20), and can be had from somewhere like Binny's, Whole Foods, local supermarket, or local liq store. Also, we are not huge wine drinkers, or wine drinkers at all, so something that is pretty tasty or sweet maybe?

Keep it real with a Argentine wine... the Norton Privada is a great choice in the $18-$20 range. Highly recommend it!!!!

2006 Bodegas Norton "Privada" Mendoza, Argentina - SKU 1043599

Red or White? Where are you located?

The Norton Privada would be good, they also have a Malbec Reserva that can be extremely good for the money, but sometimes has bottle variation (seems like many of the Argentinian wines in this price range do). If you want a Cab, you should be able to find the Catena Zapata, Bodegas Catena in your price range, it's a great wine with steak.

None of these is particularly what I'd call sweet, and frankly if you're doing the typical Argentinean red meat thing I don't think you would want sweet, unless maybe it's a big zin. If that's the case I'd fall back to my old standby the Marietta Old Vines, which you should be able to pick up for less that $15. The latest, Lot 49. is killer for the money. It's still not sweet, but sweeter than most big reds (and a heck of a lot of fruit.)

not 20$ but good for future reference!


this stuff is amazing!

Vina Almaviva 2006 Puente Alto Almaviva

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Red or White? Where are you located?

The Norton Privada would be good, they also have a Malbec Reserva that can be extremely good for the money, but sometimes has bottle variation (seems like many of the Argentinian wines in this price range do). If you want a Cab, you should be able to find the Catena Zapata, Bodegas Catena in your price range, it's a great wine with steak.

None of these is particularly what I'd call sweet, and frankly if you're doing the typical Argentinean red meat thing I don't think you would want sweet, unless maybe it's a big zin. If that's the case I'd fall back to my old standby the Marietta Old Vines, which you should be able to pick up for less that $15. The latest, Lot 49. is killer for the money. It's still not sweet, but sweeter than most big reds (and a heck of a lot of fruit.)

Well I figured red would be better with this type of food... and Im in Chicago


Thanks for all the suggestions everyone

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Red or White? Where are you located?

The Norton Privada would be good, they also have a Malbec Reserva that can be extremely good for the money, but sometimes has bottle variation (seems like many of the Argentinian wines in this price range do). If you want a Cab, you should be able to find the Catena Zapata, Bodegas Catena in your price range, it's a great wine with steak.

None of these is particularly what I'd call sweet, and frankly if you're doing the typical Argentinean red meat thing I don't think you would want sweet, unless maybe it's a big zin. If that's the case I'd fall back to my old standby the Marietta Old Vines, which you should be able to pick up for less that $15. The latest, Lot 49. is killer for the money. It's still not sweet, but sweeter than most big reds (and a heck of a lot of fruit.)

I just read a little about Privada and Malbec Reserve.... which one is a little LESS dry?

Look for

Australian wine Hewitson Miss Harry - $20

or Amber Knolls "75" Cabernet Savignon - $20-$25

Originally Posted by Mark C

I just read a little about Privada and Malbec Reserve.... which one is a little LESS dry?

I'm probably too late for today, sorry about that, had to entertain the in-laws and put the kids to bed, but for future reference...

Neither is what I would call dry. However, the Privada is a bigger wine and has more tannins. It could need some time, so older vintages will work better than newer ones but might be hard to find and / or more expensive. Overall the Malbec might be more approachable. If you're really not a regular wine drinker you may might want something more like the Marietta which is very easy drinking. If you get a recent Privada ask for it to be decanted or at least poured early. Eg. have a cocktail while you wait for it to open up in the glass (if they serve cocktails that is).

^^ Great.. Thanks for your help

I actually need it for tomorrow night, so this is perfect. I was going to look for Privada or Malbec at the a neighborhood wine shop, but may look for Marietta just to be safe.

A syrah if she likes something sweet..A Clos du Bois merlot for Argentinean!