Malbec and Steak are a match made in heaven On 17th April, it was World Malbec Day. Purple Teeth celebrated by declaring it Malbec week. I left the wine choice up to my dear readers, meanwhile enjoying one or two bottles of Mendoza's finest grape from my wine rack, and a sneaky Malbec Rosé for one of my readers who bemoaned the fact I'd so far not featured a pink wine... I didn't want to feature a grape we'd so recently featured with the Cahors, but a French Malbec and an Argentine are quite different so please forgive and enjoy.
"Malbec is a strong black grape which produces wines showing robust yet velvety tannins, a plum to prune full-bodied flavour and dark, opaque colours. Malbec wines are intense, rich and powerful and it's one of the 6 grapes that are permitted in the blend of red Bordeaux wine, even though it's hardly used there now. Argentina has commandeered the grape, using pioneering techniques in the hot, dry growning conditions to coax intense, dark, concentrated fruit into stunningly powerful wines.
"Malbec is a strong black grape which produces wines showing robust yet velvety tannins, a plum to prune full-bodied flavour and dark, opaque colours. Malbec wines are intense, rich and powerful and it's one of the 6 grapes that are permitted in the blend of red Bordeaux wine, even though it's hardly used there now. Argentina has commandeered the grape, using pioneering techniques in the hot, dry growning conditions to coax intense, dark, concentrated fruit into stunningly powerful wines.
13.5 % abv £12.99 (reduced till 30th April at £9.74) WaitroseWine The first Malbec we tasted was Catena Malbec 2010.
This is a beautiful, dark, deep and voluptuous wine made from grapes grown high in the Andes mountains. Mendoza and Argentina have made the Malbec grape their own and it seems that the grape here finds it's highest expression. The Catena family have been involved in wine-making in Mendoza for over 100 years, and the heritage shines through in the flavour. Dark fruits, blackberry, plum and spice combine with meaty flavours which make this the perfect companion for steak. There's a real concentration of flavours here which in a wine at this price is hard to beat. I'd recommend stocking up while the special offer is in force as it will see you through a whole summer of barbecues.
This is a beautiful, dark, deep and voluptuous wine made from grapes grown high in the Andes mountains. Mendoza and Argentina have made the Malbec grape their own and it seems that the grape here finds it's highest expression. The Catena family have been involved in wine-making in Mendoza for over 100 years, and the heritage shines through in the flavour. Dark fruits, blackberry, plum and spice combine with meaty flavours which make this the perfect companion for steak. There's a real concentration of flavours here which in a wine at this price is hard to beat. I'd recommend stocking up while the special offer is in force as it will see you through a whole summer of barbecues.
Vines of Mendoza, in the foothills of the Andes Mauricio Lorca Lirico Malbec 2011 (£7.99 Angel Price, Naked Wines) again, a deep coloured wine full of ripe plum, but this one tasted more youthful and strangely lighter given it's 14% abv. I didn't taste them side by side but perhaps this one has slightly higher acidity - it certainly felt juicier in the mouth. The label indicated fresh cherries and white pepper. It's by no means got as long a finish as the Catena, but it's still got a depth of flavour that can only come from long sunshine hours and the Malbec grape. If you're new to Malbec, finding a good example at £7.99 is a great way to figure out if it's a grape you want to spend more time and money on. We paired this one with pork meatballs and pasta with a tomato sauce, not wanting to eat steak 2 nights in a row. It worked really well, with the food bringing out some of the spicier flavours in the wine and lifting the fruitiness rather than killing it. Again, this would happily sit alongside your summer barbecues.
After drinking these, my husband declared Malbec's "the definition of Purple Teeth wines". Yes, be prepared for extra scrubbing when you come to perform your dental routine after a glass or two of Malbec. These dark wines aren't just dark in the glass.
After drinking these, my husband declared Malbec's "the definition of Purple Teeth wines". Yes, be prepared for extra scrubbing when you come to perform your dental routine after a glass or two of Malbec. These dark wines aren't just dark in the glass.
Tesco Finest Malbec Rose £8.49. This was a new one on me... I've never reviewed a Rose before on Purple Teeth, and one of my readers has been crying out for a hint of pink. I've never tried a Malbec in any other form than deep, dark red before, so I was intrigued to see how this grape would convert into a lighter, more summery wine. During my visit to Mendoza, rosé was never offered. I have to admit I was sceptical. From the first taste I was impressed! This is a pink wine for drinkers of red. It's got a serious red wine nose with redcurrant and raspberry. On tasting it, there's vanilla, raspberry and something that reminds me of the Paradise Martini I had a few months ago at Forbury's in Reading. It's got body and character, and without a hint of sweetness, paired perfectly with the ginger and garlic prawns I prepared to go with it. It's Malbec for the unconvinced about red, Malbec for a hot summer's day, Malbec for the fan of pink. Kudos to Tesco for doing it. I was not at all convinced until after the first sip, but it's now on my summer shopping list - along with some sunshine!.
And what did the Purple Teeth readership make of Malbec Day?. I was glad to hear of a few of you joining in with the fun.
And what did the Purple Teeth readership make of Malbec Day?. I was glad to hear of a few of you joining in with the fun.
Justine savoured the Don David in a local hostelry on Malbec World Day. It can be bought for £9.49 online or in store for £11 at Tesco. She found it to have "lively, violet and plum notes. Very enjoyable."
Sarah went to her local Co-operative store to get a bottle to join in the tasting. I'd suggested trying the Fairtrade Organic Argentine Malbec. Here's what she said after finally finding it on the French shelf!
"The bottle is slightly wider than most at the top, which for me is great as it gives the illusion of more wine, I’m sure the 75cl bottles are smaller than they used to be aren’t you? Now I’ve never been much for matching food with wine - I drink what I like, so we had our £7.49 bottle with Thai salmon and noodles. The real cork released a slightly berryish scent upon opening with a hint of wood. In the glass it was a lovely colour... and the flavour was rich and oaky with a slight berry overtone. I’m a die hard Shiraz fan but would drink it again. With red meat."
All in all, it seems Malbec is a winner both at Purple Teeth HQ and with the readers. Do give it a try!
Next week's Wine of the Week is something completely different - sparkling Sauvignon Blanc by Brancott Estate (£8 at Asda and also available at around £12 in Waitrose so check your other local supermarkets if you don't have an Asda nearby).
Cheers!
Sarah went to her local Co-operative store to get a bottle to join in the tasting. I'd suggested trying the Fairtrade Organic Argentine Malbec. Here's what she said after finally finding it on the French shelf!
"The bottle is slightly wider than most at the top, which for me is great as it gives the illusion of more wine, I’m sure the 75cl bottles are smaller than they used to be aren’t you? Now I’ve never been much for matching food with wine - I drink what I like, so we had our £7.49 bottle with Thai salmon and noodles. The real cork released a slightly berryish scent upon opening with a hint of wood. In the glass it was a lovely colour... and the flavour was rich and oaky with a slight berry overtone. I’m a die hard Shiraz fan but would drink it again. With red meat."
All in all, it seems Malbec is a winner both at Purple Teeth HQ and with the readers. Do give it a try!
Next week's Wine of the Week is something completely different - sparkling Sauvignon Blanc by Brancott Estate (£8 at Asda and also available at around £12 in Waitrose so check your other local supermarkets if you don't have an Asda nearby).
Cheers!
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