ARGENTINA has made two grape varietals its own in marvellous malbec and terrific torrontés, although both hail originally from Europe.

Malbec has French origins but has become Argentina’s signature red, making deeply-coloured, user-friendly, fruit-laden wines that are the business with steak and roast beef. I’ve picked three that don’t hit the wallet too hard and represent great value for money.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Argentinian Malbec 2007 is from the Montes stable and delivers far more than the £5.99 price tag suggests. Powerful, rich and juicy, it has bramble and blackcurrant flavours, with dark chocolate, smoky notes and supple tannins.

Make the most of Majestic’s offer on Argentinian wines until the end of the month. Alamos Malbec 2007 has good acidity, firm tannins and liquorice-infused blackberry and raspberry fruit with spicy notes in abundance.

Oddbins stock Punto Final Malbec 2007, the perfect steak partner. It’s a really juicy wine full of stewed dark fruit flavours, with plenty of spice, pronounced violet notes and gum-tingling tannins.

Perhaps lesser known than malbec, but equally synonymous with Argentina, are whites made from the torrontés grape. If you’ve never tasted torrontés, think of a halfway house between sauvignon blanc and viognier. It’s also a great partner for ceviche, the Latin American citrus-marinated seafood appetiser – the mention of which makes me start drooling at the mouth. The following suggestions would be good aperitifs too. As with the malbec selection, you get plenty of flavour for your money.

Santa Julia Organica Torrontés 2008 has a slightly creamy mouth-feel and is very fresh, with floral fragrances and flavours of stonefruits and green apple. It is also very good value. Crios de Susana Balbo Torrentés 2008 has the flavour turned up to 11, with intense elderflower aromas and perfumed, sherbety citrus, peach and lychee fruit. It’s delightfully different.

Bodegas Esmeralda Estiba 1 Torrontés 2007 is perhaps a little more classical in style. It is subtle but nonetheless full- flavoured and fresh, with peach, honey, limes, blossom aromas and a little yeastiness. The top pick to drink with ceviche.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Argentinian Malbec 2007, £5.99 at Sainsbury’s 17/20

Alamos Malbec 2007, £6.65 (£4.99 if you buy two) at Majestic 17/20

Punto Final Malbec 2007, £8.49 at Oddbins 18/20

Santa Julia Organica Torrontés 2008, £6.99 from Vintage Roots (vintageroots.co.uk) 17/20

Crios de Susana Balbo Torrentés 2008, £7.99 (£5.99 if you buy two) at Majestic 18/20

Bodegas Esmeralda Estiba 1 Torrontés 2007, £6.65 (£4.99 if you buy two) at Majestic 18/20