Great Empanadas, Forgettable Wine Program
Goss-Grove · Boulder · Argentinian / Latin American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Rincon Argentino is an afterthought dressed up in Argentine clothing. You're here for the empanadas — and that's fine — but if you were hoping the wine program matched the food's authenticity, temper those expectations fast. It's a short, predictable list of supermarket-shelf Argentine bottles with markups that don't reflect the casual counter-service vibe.
The list leans entirely on Argentine producers, which makes sense conceptually, but the execution is flat. Alamos and La Linda are the kinds of bottles you grab at Trader Joe's on a Tuesday — totally drinkable, nothing wrong with them, but not exactly a curated representation of what Argentina can do. There's no exploration of Mendoza's higher-altitude Malbecs, no Patagonian Pinot, no Bonarda or Torrontés from serious producers. The Astica Torrontés shows up, which is at least a nod to Argentina's signature white grape, but it's the cheapest expression of the variety you can find.
The by-the-glass program runs 6-10 options, which is a reasonable count for a casual spot at this price point. The problem is what's in the glass: the same entry-level bottles you'd find on the bottle list, poured into a standard stem at margins that punish you for not committing to a full bottle. There's no rotation or curation happening here — it's the same lineup every visit.
La Linda Cabernet Sauvignon — $32
By-the-bottle, it's the least offensive markup on the list relative to what you're getting. It's a soft, uncomplicated Cab from Luigi Bosca's value tier — drink it cold with a steak empanada and don't overthink it.
Astica Torrontés
Most people skip the white entirely at an Argentine spot and go straight for Malbec. The Torrontés is aromatic, slightly floral, and actually works well against the chimichurri and herb-forward flavors in the sandwiches. It's the most interesting wine on this list by default, which says something.
Alamos Malbec
At $32 a bottle for something that retails under $12, you're paying a 167% markup on a wine that Costco stocks in bulk. It's not a bad wine, but the value math here is brutal. Order a glass if you must, skip the bottle entirely.
Astica Torrontés + Empanadas with chimichurri
The Torrontés has enough aromatic brightness and acidity to cut through the richness of the beef filling and play off the herby, garlicky chimichurri without getting lost. It's a genuine regional match — both the grape and the food are authentically Argentine.
❌ The Bottom Line
Rincon Argentino is a genuinely good casual spot for Argentine food, but the wine list is a missed opportunity — overpriced supermarket bottles with no rotation, no discovery, and no apparent effort. Grab a glass with your empanadas, but don't build a night around the wine.
University Hill · Boulder · Spanish- and Moroccan-inspired tapas and small plates
Cafe Aion's wine list is solidly built around its concept, and the daily 50% off bottles deal from 3pm to close is one of the most generous standing wine programs in Boulder — full stop. The markups at full price are steep enough to give you pause, so do yourself a favor and show up before dinner.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Baseline / CU South · Boulder · Brewpub / American
Boulder Social is a solid neighborhood hangout where beer is the move and wine is an afterthought priced accordingly. If it's Tuesday, half-price bottles change the math — otherwise, stick to the taps.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
West Pearl Street · Boulder · Italian
Via Perla isn't trying to be a wine destination — it's trying to be a great Italian osteria, and the wine list serves that goal honestly. Come for the pasta and the Barolo, don't overthink it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Williams Village / Baseline · Boulder · Italian
Carelli's is a dependable neighborhood Italian with a wine list that matches its ambition — comfortable and crowd-pleasing, not adventurous. Send your friend here if they want a nice Italian night and a bottle of Antinori; steer them elsewhere if they're hoping to find something they've never tried before.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Pearl Street · Boulder · Spanish-inspired, wood-fired cuisine and tapas with Mediterranean influences
Gemini is the kind of place Boulder doesn't have enough of — a restaurant where the wine list actually reflects the food and the region it's inspired by. If you eat Spanish, you should be drinking Iberian, and Gemini makes that case effortlessly.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Pearl · Boulder · Upscale vegetarian and vegan, globally inspired
Leaf isn't a destination wine list, but it's an honest one — organic-focused, fairly priced, and thoughtfully matched to food that most wine programs never consider. If you're eating plant-based and want a glass that actually thinks about what's on your plate, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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