Wines made from Bonarda are still pretty rare in Australia, but it’s Argentina’s Next Big Thing - it’s the second most widely planted red variety there so we’re due to see a lot more very soon. This one shows deep, dark fruits of blackberry, blackcurrant and black plums with notes of undergrowth, expensive dark chocolate and tobacco. It’s ripe, intense and chewy - and crying out for a rare steak!

Familia Blanco is the eponymous family-owned winery in Mendoza, in the sub-zone Luján de Cuyo. For three generations, the Blancos have worked the land to grow fruit and select the best grapes to produce wines that consistently showcase regionality and varietal character – Malbec is king in Mendoza, but it's old-vine Bornada that's recently captured our imagination. Whatever your choice, the Mairena range is an earlier picked, youthful style crafted moments filled with romance, friends, family and food, of course! Their three vineyards are within 970-1030m above sea level in the foothills of the snow-capped Andes. The vineyards experience extreme day and night temperature differences permitting some of the slowest ripening seasons in the world. This mountainous terrain also offers excellent drainage, with vines digging deep into the rocky soil to concentrate flavours. The soil is low in organic material, limiting vine vigour and yield for more flavour. Although picked earlier for a youthful style, the fruit is fully ripe and balanced with a remarkable freshness only Mendoza can achieve. In short, these are phenomenal wines from one of the most striking wine-producing regions in the world. Try some!