Malbec
Frankly, Argentina had no reason to be crying, Evita or otherwise, with these wines knocking around. Although originally a French variety, Malbec has hit the big time since producers in Mendoza started churning out some top quality stuff. Even so, Malbec remains the grape in Cahors (south west France), though it is often blended with Tannat and Merlot there to create proper power-house wines.
What am I getting?
To put it simply, French Malbec tends to be meaty, rustic and tannic, while Argentine Malbec is a little richer, riper, jammier and juicier – one refined, the other likely ready to knock you side ways with flavour. In terms of nose and pallet you’re looking at a wonderful mixture of black and red fruit, from red plum to blackberry, as well as the delicious effects of oak ageing creeping in in the form of vanilla, cocoa and tobacco.
What can I drink it with?
Because Malbec doesn’t have a super long finish i.e. the taste doesn’t linger in your mouth for a really long time, it can be a good match for lean red meats; steak (sirloin), turkey, pork and lamb would all work well. It can also cope with gamey flavours though, so something like venison would compliment the wine too. If you fancy moving on to some cheese, you might want to consider the softer options, like gorgonzola.
I want it!
Let’s not go crazy…
Parrilla Malbec 2015 Viñalba, Mendoza (full, Argentina) £9.99 per bottle
All out!
2014 Bodegas Cuarto Dominio Malbec (medium, Argentina) £39.95 per bottle
What am I getting?
To put it simply, French Malbec tends to be meaty, rustic and tannic, while Argentine Malbec is a little richer, riper, jammier and juicier – one refined, the other likely ready to knock you side ways with flavour. In terms of nose and pallet you’re looking at a wonderful mixture of black and red fruit, from red plum to blackberry, as well as the delicious effects of oak ageing creeping in in the form of vanilla, cocoa and tobacco.
What can I drink it with?
Because Malbec doesn’t have a super long finish i.e. the taste doesn’t linger in your mouth for a really long time, it can be a good match for lean red meats; steak (sirloin), turkey, pork and lamb would all work well. It can also cope with gamey flavours though, so something like venison would compliment the wine too. If you fancy moving on to some cheese, you might want to consider the softer options, like gorgonzola.
I want it!
Let’s not go crazy…
Parrilla Malbec 2015 Viñalba, Mendoza (full, Argentina) £9.99 per bottle
All out!
2014 Bodegas Cuarto Dominio Malbec (medium, Argentina) £39.95 per bottle
