So in case you haven't heard, Malbec is the hottest wine around right now. While wine imports from other countries are declining as we weather the recession, Malbec imports from Argentina are on the rise. Why? Well, for one thing, it's new, and even wine lovers get tired of the same old, same old. For another, Malbec is an incredible value. You can spend $10-15 on a bottle that tastes like it cost two or three times that. Malbec is actually not a new grape; it's just newish to the American palate. Originally a French grape grown in Bordeaux, the Loire, and Cahors, Malbec found its spiritual home in Argentina, where it makes dark, rich, fruity red wines with a hint of spice and chocolate. It's got all the best features of Cabernet Sauvignon--heft, balance, and longevity--and of Zinfandel--sweet spice and soft fruit--all rolled into one.
Oh, and did I mention that Malbecs are incredibly food-friendly? Argentines are famous for their barbeques, so you can't go wrong serving Malbec with a big chunk o' meat. It's also great with pizza, grilled steak salad, beef empanadas, or a hearty vegetarian dish like mushroom risotto.
More Malbec - Wine of the Week after the jump.
I just had a bottle of the Graffigna Malbec 2006, a $13 steal of a wine that's inky dark, soft, mellow, and fruity. Another favorite is the Tittarelli Reserva de Familia Malbec ($16), a step up from Tittarelli's regular version that's rich and balanced.
You could spend more on Malbec, but why? It's one of a few reliable wines with excellent quality at low prices. My only advice is to start drinking it before everyone catches on and the prices go into the stratosphere.
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