Malbec

Malbec is a bold, dry red best known from Argentina, particularly Mendoza, with rich flavours of blackberry, black plum and black cherry alongside cocoa, spice and violet. Full-bodied, smooth and made for big flavours, it’s brilliant with steak, burgers, roast beef, BBQ ribs, lamb and slow-cooked meat.

Taste:

Dark fruit, smooth tannins and a very good reason to order the steak.

Malbec is typically dry and full-bodied, with moderate acidity and tannins that can feel softer and rounder than those in Cabernet Sauvignon. Expect blackberry, black plum, black cherry and blueberry, often joined by violet, black pepper and warming spice.

Oak-aged versions can bring flavours of vanilla, cocoa, chocolate, coffee or tobacco, while high-altitude Argentinian Malbec can retain plenty of freshness alongside all that ripe fruit.

French Malbec can taste noticeably different, often showing firmer tannins and more savoury, earthy flavours.

Argentina may have made Malbec famous, but the grape clearly had range before it got on the plane.

Food Pairings:

Malbec and steak is one of wine's great power couples.

Try it with ribeye, sirloin, fillet, rump steak, steak frites or steak with peppercorn sauce. It's equally good with roast beef, beef short ribs, beef stew, slow-cooked beef, brisket and burgers.

Malbec also earns its place at a BBQ. Pair it with BBQ ribs, grilled steak, burgers, smoky sausages, pulled pork or beef brisket.

Lamb works brilliantly too, particularly roast lamb, lamb chops, lamb shank or lamb kebabs.

For something Argentinian-inspired, try Malbec with grilled beef, empanadas or smoky chimichurri steak.

Meat-free options include mushroom stew, mushroom pie, grilled aubergine, smoky bean chilli and lentil casserole.

For cheese, mature Cheddar, Gouda and blue cheese can all handle Malbec's richness.

Similar Wines:

If you enjoy Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon is a great next move for more dark fruit with firmer tannins and extra structure.

Merlot offers a softer, plummier style, while Shiraz turns up the pepper, spice and richness.

Zinfandel is also worth exploring if generous fruit, body and BBQ-friendly flavours are what you're here for.

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More About Malbec:

Malbec may be synonymous with Argentina today, but the grape actually originated in France.

It was historically one of the permitted varieties in Bordeaux blends and remains particularly important in Cahors in southwestern France, where it traditionally produces darker, firmer and more tannic wines.

The grape arrived in Argentina in the 19th century and found an exceptional home, particularly in Mendoza. High-altitude vineyards, abundant sunshine and cool nights help produce ripe fruit while retaining freshness.

Argentina took a French grape that was losing ground back home and turned it into an international superstar.

Quite the rebrand.