Malbec

Malbec is synonymous with Argentina. In fact, before Argentina started growing it in the 18th century, Malbec was considered a low-quality grape that was only suitable for blending.

Today the Malbec grape takes up three-quarters of Argentina’s vineyards and is considered their most important grape.

While the Malbec grape originated in France (in the Cahors region), the Argentinian Malbec is the most celebrated. The two taste very different — while an Argentinian bottle is plummy and soft in texture, a French bottle is quite tart and savory.

What does Malbec wine taste like?

Malbec is synonymous with Argentina. In fact, before Argentina started growing it in the 18th century, Malbec was considered a low-quality grape that was only suitable for blending.

Today the Malbec grape takes up three-quarters of Argentina’s vineyards and is considered their most important grape.

While the Malbec grape originated in France (in the Cahors region), the Argentinian Malbec is the most celebrated. The two taste very different — while an Argentinian bottle is plummy and soft in texture, a French bottle is quite tart and savory.

What do you pair Malbec wine with?

Malbec wine pairs well with meat, especially red meat. However, unlike some of its red wine cousins (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) it doesn’t have a very long finish, making it easy to overwhelm with fattier meats. Instead, seek out lean cuts of beef, turkey, or even ostrich.

For vegetarians looking for a perfect Malbec food pairing, look to blue cheese. A cheese board or a grilled blue cheese sandwich would be an exuberant treat, while a blue cheese souffle is a perfect dinner party option.

Vegan wine lovers, don’t despair. The secret to pairing Malbec with food is remembering its tasting notes of pepper. A couscous-stuffed roasted red pepper would be an ideal food pairing. Use plenty of olive oil to counteract the tannic nature of the wine.

How to serve Malbec wine

Before serving Malbec, try popping it in the fridge for half an hour. This should cool it to just below room temperature, and will allow you to experience Malbec’s full depth of flavour.

Because Malbec is a full-bodied wine, choose a wide-bowled glass. A glass with a wide mouth will allow you to experience the intense fruity aromas of the Malbec, while the large glass should soften the spicy tasting notes and balance the savory flavours.

Finally, Malbec is a wine that benefits from decanting. Before serving your bottle, pour the wine into a decanter and leave it for 30 minutes. Not only will this get rid of any sediment found in the bottle, but decanting your Malbec will aerate the wine and make the flavours and aromas more vibrant upon drinking.