While wine-making has been an art in the region of Spain since well before Christ, the craft of wine-making in South America is only now beginning to blossom. Chile is the dominant wine producing country of the continent, with a temperate climate that makes for consistent products year after year, equally enhanced by the practice of blending fruit grown across vast regions. Though Chile's most common grapes are famous for their "roots" in Bordeaux--Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot--Chile produces varietals from them, appealing mostly to the American market. (And Chile's Merlots already rival much higher priced Californians). In Argentina, Malbec is the most popular varietal. Italian winemakers settled this region long ago, establishing vineyards and a taste for this wine with a bit of a bite.

At Ciudad, try the Mariposa with the Beef Short Ribs or Cuban Roasted Chicken

At home, try a Malbec instead of a Merlot with pasta or Mediterranean chicken dishes.