I have recently begun to fall in love with South American wines. Juicy Cabernet and earthy Malbec....yum! There are still lots of bargains to be found among South American wines, but maybe not for long. As their popularity increases, I am afraid so will their prices. So now is the time to experiment! If you haven't delved into South America yet, jump in!

I used to think I didn't like Malbec. Then along came THIS Malbec, and I came to realize I just hadn't had a good one. Now, I'm more experimental with them, and am beginning to find others I like as well. This one costs a bit more than I like to pay for my daily wine, but it's a great treat, and certainly a beautiful gift.

This Malbec Reserva from Mendoza Vineyards is earthy and bold, and I really love it. It comes highly rated, though I try not to let ratings influence my tastebuds. Since this wine comes from Argentina, it will obviously pair well with a lean steak smothered in Chimichurri sauce. This classic Argentinian meat sauce has a little kick to it. As a result, I think you'll find that Malbec also pairs well with other somewhat spicy dishes that you may have been having a hard time finding a wine match for. Try it with meats slathered in BBQ sauce, as well as spicier Asian dishes.

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This is a lovely little cabernet from Chile. As much as I love Malbec from Argentina, I love Cabernets from Chile. (Sorry for all the wine drips on my bottles. Obviously, I need to buy myself some of those foil pour shields.) I'm beginning to experiment with all sorts of them.

This is a Reserva, which makes it a step up, but it's well worth it. The Echeverria family practices organic farming methods. This wine is very well balanced with a nice smooth, fruity beginning, and a rich earthy ending. Again, it's a few dollars more than I like to spend on my every day wine, but if I had prepared a special meaty meal, I would make the splurge for this wine.