Originally Posted by fervorpitch

Haha, love that comment. Just came back from a visit to BA, Villa Gesell and Mar de Plata, and the average eastern-Argentinean continues to think only wines from Rutini, Lopez and Norton are worth drinking, due to generations-old prejudices. This is from the time not too long ago here in Mendoza when most wines were mass-produced slop, before the great sophistication that started 10 to 15 years ago by serious new entries to the market. It is still customary for a social occasion to showoff your alleged wisdom by taking a bottle from these 3 older wineries. It is like most of the people who use the ssshhh for the double "ll" are frozen in time when it comes to wine. As a result these matronly brands are over-priced and over-available east of the Cuyo. Far cheaper and better wines are available, but you have to search.

Note: Not that the "classic" 3 do not have some good wines, but much of what they push are not that great, especially those available domestically.