Espuela del Gaucho 2012 Torrontes (Argentina)

I tasted this wine a few weeks ago and sought it out this week. It was sold out at the first store (where I tasted it.) It’s a bargain at under $10.

The Torrontes grape is related to the Muscat, and this wine in particular is from Mendoza. It's a pale, pretty wine. The nose is somewhat floral with a little green apple. Overall, it’s smooth in the mouth with a bit of acid and a little earth/minerals. It begins with some honeysuckle-ish flavor going to tart green apple, finishes crisp with just a hint of peach flavor.

Pair it with tuna, salmon, sea bass—or this: grilled, marinated chicken with grilled Granny Smith apples and a little Dijon mustard.