Ricardo Santos, Mendoza Sémillon 2018

Ricardo Santos has demonstrated a life-long commitment to the Argentine wine tradition, particularly in regards to Argentina’s great varietal—Malbec. The former owner of the Norton Winery, Ricardo renounced a career in architecture to pursue his passion for winemaking with the belief that Argentina could make wines equal to the best in the world. He was the first winemaker from Argentina to export Malbec to the U.S. over thirty years ago. Ricardo Santos and his wife Estela now share this vision with the family. One son, Patricio, is winemaker; another son, Pedro, is head of marketing.

While Ricardo Santos has built a reputation on Malbec, he has always desired to make a crisp, fruity white wine to pair with simple, classic foods. Recently, he was inspired by the Semillon grapes that his friend and neighbor Roberto Azzareto grows on his 70-year-old vineyard. The wine has an intense yellow color with delicate, fruity aromas. The flavor is grassy accompanied by a fruity acidity without the addition of oak.

FOOD PAIRING: seared scallops in butter sauce.