Maximiliano Pérez

El Mercado, Buenos Aires

A committed champion of Argentina’s oenological offering

Maximiliano Pérez, head sommelier at El Mercado in Buenos Aires, has a mission in mind. His 400-strong wine list at the asador restaurant is a curated selection of the best – and most exciting – wines Argentina has to offer.

After a lengthy stint at visionary Argentine chef Dario Gualtieri Cocinero's self-titled bistro, Pérez took charge of El Mercado's wine programme in July 2024. In just one short year, El Mercado's commitment to open-fire cooking, prime Argentine beef cuts and a wine list reflecting the country's diverse wine offering earned it the No.27 spot on the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list.

Pérez works alongside chef Emiliano Yulito to celebrate Argentine produce, notably the beef sourced from cows raised exclusively for the restaurant in Patagonian pastures. His narrative approach to wine takes a similar slant, with El Mercado's list showcasing prestigious examples of Argentine winemaking as well as smaller producers and limited releases across the country's 47 terroirs.

In particular, Pérez highlights wines from areas including the Chubut region in the south of the country, with a release of just 200 bottles, as well as innovative Patagonian wines and more well-known bottlings.

Pérez's dedicated approach to storytelling through wine and championing of smaller producers make him a leader in Latin America's gastronomic landscape, as well as a worthy winner of Latin America's Best Sommelier Award 2025, sponsored by Vik.

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