Isn’t it funny how some people see a multi-grape blend as inferior. Not that I’m absolutely sure it put anyone off our previous Argentine Malbec-Shiraz blend, not consciously anyway, but just last week our new-look red (pictured right) and white under the Tesoro de los Andes label landed into the shop with a great reception from ourselves and customers alike.

What will be interesting to see is how sales compare over the next twelve months for this line. We expect to increase our turnover this year, building on our growth from our first two full years in business, but taking this into account, it is possible to find a relative sales trend that I suspect might point towards two things:

1. Single varietal wines are more popular

2. Our buying decisions are massively influenced by labels

As soon as Mike and I cracked open the first case we said this is going to be a winner. A sub €10, excellent drinking 100% Malbec from Argentina is something people want and we regularly get asked for in so many ways. Our response in the past was “well, yes, but…”, pointing to the Shiraz component in the previous blends. I actually thought the Shiraz element brought a nice dimension to it, but when people go to Argentina for red, they want Malbec and Malbec only.

The second thing we were pleased about was the label. I’ll admit it’s not by a long shot the best label we have, but it’s an improvement over the old one and that can only help. Labels are so important in this business. More than you like to think, a significant part of your buying decision will be made by the packaging. And it can be totally subjective too. One label I love, another person might detest.

It’s unfortunate, but it’s something we have to seriously consider before we buy a container of the stuff. If the label is horrible, we might run the risk of it just sitting there, and we don’t want to be one of those wine merchants bin-ending a load of out-of-date stock in years to come. We wouldn’t put the trust our customers have in us at risk, and we wouldn’t be prepared to have so much cash tied up in stock that’s not going to shift.

There’s only so much hand selling you can do to show that despite the label the wine inside is actually rather good, so if it is an issue we give as much feedback to the producer as possible so they can give their brand the best possible chance against the multitude of other choices on offer. Someone must have listened to us as we grumbled about Tesoro de los Andes.

Briefly back to the blend issue, it is fair to say some grape varieties are more synonymous with certain countries than others. Malbec is synonymous with Argentina, and more specifically with Mendoza, so why mess with it? And some may have more of an appeal as part of a blend rather than solo, and indeed may work better in a blend, compensating for the partners lack of whatever.

A final change to note under the Tesoro brand is the sourcing of Torrontés and Chardonnay grapes for their white blend. The fruit for the ’09 came solely from Mendoza, whereas the new-look 2010 is sourced from the hotter, drier San Juan region. Tasting confirms the quality has not been affected. Still classy stuff.

Tesoro de los Andes red & white are both on offer (€7.50 per bottle) until the end of February.

From the fruity Chardonnays of Mendoza, to the rich Merlots of Cafayate, Argentina knows how to make great wines from noble grape varieties. But here’s two lesser known varietals that set Argentina apart from the rest of the world.

Malbec: Although a native of south-western France, Argentina is making more supple and silky styles than that of their European counterparts. The wines have a dark fruit character, often with spicy flavours (blackberry, black plum, clove, pepper) and the best wines benefit from oak aging.

Torrontés: The aromatic, peach scented Torrontés is a local speciality. It gives medium-bodied dry white wines with relatively high alcohol, medium acidity and pronounced fruity-floral aromas (perfume, grapes, peach).

Argentina has a system of Controlled Denominations of Origin (DOCs), but more commonly you will see wines labelled by region. Due to the very hot climate, the best vineyards take advantage of the cool air of higher altitudes.

It is currently the world’s fifth largest wine producer by volume, yet it is only very recently – perhaps over the last ten or fifteen years – that the industry has really begun to develop the methods, attitudes and will to become a serious player in the international wine market.

High volume, low quality vines are being replaced by premium varieties. Formerly struggling bodegas are attracting the backing of major international wine companies. Product quality is soaring, and every year the industry balance shifts further from cheap table wines towards exquisitely crafted drops that are increasingly recognised as being amongst the best in the world.

The Argentine wine industry is reaping the benefits of its heritage – old vines, unique geographical conditions – with new technology and a mix of modern and traditional methods. It’s come along way since the first vines were planted in Mendoza more than 400 years ago.

Our Tesoro de los Andes range consists of a Malbec and a Torrontés, blended with the noble grape varieties of Shiraz and Chardonnay respectively.

This is one of the first video recipes I saw from Lookandtaste and it’s what excited me most about their concept. Classic dishes, superbly demonstrated by a top class chef, on demand.

It’s amazing how many people are quite comfortable cooking complex and intricate recipes from books, but hand them a lovely piece of prime steak and they panic. (Sorry, I’m talking third party but I’m one of those people!)

Niall’s demonstration shows how to cook the perfect steak in just a few minutes – this is fast food but with the right cut of meat the same fast food you’ll get in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

A big, juicy steak demands a big, juicy wine and your local wine merchant’s shelves will be packed with appropriate matches. You can get great value Malbecs from Argentina or Chile that are just made for steak – see how our Tesoro de los Andes Malbec-Shiraz performed on Robert Francis Wine – but my first choice will always be Australia and specifically Barossan Shiraz.

The Barossans have almost cornered the market for that big, bold, fruit-burst expression of Shiraz, and their heritage and vines pre-date many of Europe’s most prestigious regions.

Try this (nearly!) organic Earthworks from the Langmeil Winery for bursting black fruit and hints of peppery spice. Or for a bit more complexity and spice treat yourself to the very classy Shiraz/Grenache Wallace from our favourite winemaker Ben Glaetzer. Then get onto Michelin for a star of your own.