Whenever I go to The Corner, my local watering hole, I can’t help but order a bottle of wine instead of taking advantage of their $3 beer specials. Ain’t nothing wrong with $3 beer, but there’s also something chill about getting a $20 something dollar bottle of wine that you could pour at your leisure. As you know, I’m partial to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (and South African now, too), so this ALTOSUR Sauvignon Blanc 2016 from Argentina peaked my curiosity.

ALTOSUR means: “High in the south,” with grapes growing at 1,200 meters above sea level. Finca SOPHENIA’s vineyards were planted on more than 130 hectares of the best virgin soil of this part of the world. It is estate grown and bottled at Tupungato, Gualtallary Mendoza, Argentina. The vineyard is by the Andes, at an altitude of 4,000 feet. The terroir benefits from the cooler climate, abundant sun, and sharp contrast between day and night temperature. The soil is of alluvial origin, loose and highly permeable structure. There is special handling of pruning, irrigation, and canopy to obtain low yields and grapes of the highest quality.

Courtesy Finca Sophenia

The harvest is done exclusively by hand at the beginning of February. Grape cluster selection is at a sorting table. Skin contact is in a pneumatic press with gentle pressing. It’s fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature.

The wine is pale yellow with a hint of green in color. On the nose, there’s notes of grass and minerality. Those notes translate to your mouth, along with citrus and white fruit. There’s a zesty cleanness to it. It’s very light and bright. The bottle at The Corner was $28, but you can find it online for about $12. It’s a solid Sauvignon Blanc for a good price. I paired it with a mean grilled cheese, potato chips, and a pickle. Cheers! 3.5/5.