Diary Of A Sommelier: Spoilt again

Many thanks to James Forbes of Wines Of Argentina and to Richard Siddle of this fine publication for a divine dinner and their warm company last Monday. With our trip to Argentina still fresh in our minds (and Facebook profiles) my fellow 'Steak Your Claim' winners and I were treated in the diva manner to which we had become accustomed with a slap up Argentinean meal at Santa Maria del Sur in Battersea.

It was great to see the gang (or family as we now refer to ourselves) and the steaks were typically delicious with the classiest of classy wines to boot.

If I can take one thing from Argentina's wine and give it to others it would certainly be TRY TORRONTES! The Malbec grape is the luvvie of the country and really does take the limelight from all of it's truly worthy co-stars. I spoke with a Swiss lawyer on a plane to Buenos Aires. He was big on wine and had been to the city several times but revealed had never tried it!

Torrontes is the largest produced white varietal of the land it's a constant surprise how many have yet to discover it's wonderful aromatics and fresh, crisp acidity. The one we had with dinner on Monday had a special place in our hearts and gobs as we had visited the winery in the stunning province of Cafayate, Salta in north Argentina and stayed in the royalty worthy adjacent hotel.

The Michel Torino 'Don David' Torrontes 2007 (£8.35 Cavas de Gaucho) was a cracking example of the fruit. Deftly pale and full of elderflower, watermelon and violets. Anyone remembering the Parma Violet sweets from their childhood would be whisked back to the playground with this nose. Light honey and green apples in the mouth are finished with a bitingly fresh acidity. I have yet to try it with sushi but have a sneaky suspicion that it may well be sex on sashimi.

Keeping it short today as I'm up to my neck studying for my WSET Advanced exams (a necessary evil for Sommeliers) next week. Wish me luck!

• Harpers Says...