Pinots from Patagonia?

The post-Sideways Pinot Noir craze in the US is about to get a new international fusion, from Patagonia, Argentina. Argentine wines usually bring to mind Malbec, a woody, earthy varietal imported from France over 100 years ago or Torrontes, light, white wines from the north of Argentina. According to our friends at lo de Joaquin Alberdi Vinoteca, a great wine shop in Palermo Viejo in Buenos Aires, it's time to start trying Argentine Pinot Noir, made from wineries in Neuquén.

The other night we tried a 2006 Pinot Noir from Saurus, a Patagonian winery that got its name because of the dinosaur bones found when building the winery. The local price is $17 pesos, or around $6...not too shabby. Although the wine is pretty young, its tannins were remarkably smooth matched by the subtle dark fruit flavors. Now there's a new item on your agenda the next time in Patagonia: Pinot Noir tasting!