Malbecs of Argentina

Malbec grapes originated from the Bordeaux region of France and have been known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine.  Malbec is a finicky vine whose fruit is prone to rot and mildew in the cool, damp coastal climate of Bordeaux.  Sensitivity to frost and proclivity to shatter or coulure is the primary reason that Malbecs have not flourished as a stand-alone wine in most of France.  

Malbec has come into its own in Argentina, where it is the major red varietal planted. Much of the Malbec vines there were transplanted from Europe prior to the outbreak of phylloxera in the 1950s and most is therefore on its own roots.  Malbec  vines thrive in the sunny, arid climate of Argentina.  



    

According to an article I read in this month’s issue of Wine Spector called “Malbec’s Moment,” Argentine wine was a blank space on the map for most Americans until recently.  In the mid-1990s, Malbec wine exports from Argentina to the United States were nearly nonexistent.  By 2002, Argentina exported just 200,000 cases to the U.S., but then exports began to skyrocket.   In 2010, Argentina exported more than 4 million cases of Malbec to the United States, which is 20 times what the exports were eight years earlier.   Malbecs provide a lot of drinking pleasure at the right price, and Americans love that.

Malbec is typically a medium to full-bodied red wine. Ripe fruit flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, plums and blackberry define its character. The tannins are supple and earthy, making it a rustic and versatile wine.   

Malbec’s rich flavors pair nicely with red meats such as steak, sausage, and lamb.  With their rich, jammy flavor, they also pair well with Mexican, Indian, and Creole cuisine.  As I recall from my sampling last night, that they are also enjoyable on their own after dinner.  

The two bottles that I sampled are the 2009 Catena Malbec and the 2008 Gouguenheim Valle Escondido, both from the Mendoza region of Argentinian in the foothills of the Andes.

2009 Catena Malbec is developed from a blend of four unique vineyard sites in the Mendoza region resulting in dark violet wine with hints of plum, black currant and spicy black pepper. 

The second wine I sampled is the 2008 Gouguenheim Valle Escondido, also from the Mendoza area.  The balanced flavor with fruit and spice will leave you with a long, pleasant finish.

Malbec is one of the best value price wines around.  Most selections, like the ones I sampled yesterday, will run you between $12 and $20 dollars.  But, you can also find some very high-end Argentina Malbecs from some of the most renowned winemakers like the legendary Paul Hobbs from California, and the world-famous Michel Rolland, who moved from Bordeaux to produce Malbecs in Argentina.

If your typical red wine choice is a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, give Malbec a try.  A nice full-flavored, reasonably priced Malbec, may just become your next go-to wine.

            

Begrudgingly,

BB