"Malbec" news and stories

Malbecs are inky, concentrated and exploding with fruit, yet are not as aggressive as Zinfandels or Petite Sirah due to its additional layer of softness. Considered Argentina's national grape, and an exploding segment of the wine market, we thought it would be fun to open up some Argentinian Malbecs and see how they rate.

Great to open on a cool night in front of the fireplace -- or pair with backyard barbecue or grilled foods -- Malbec is a very food-friendly red wine. Matched with a Manchego or blue cheeses like Roquefort or Gorgonzola, the nuances are even more pronounced.

After the jump, find our six favorites from a recent tasting of Malbecs – they're all great buys.

Farmer's market stand. Photo: NatalieMaynor, Flickr

• Farmers' Markets, excess produce and the thrills and regulations of selling prepared foods.
• After winning a recipe contest, two home cooks get a turn on the line in the restaurant kitchens of Portland chefs Sam Hayward and Jeff Landry.
• The French may have rejected Malbec, but it's doing good business in Argentina.
• The joys of picky young eaters and standing your ground at the dinner table.
• A rundown of the "Perfect Scent Dinner," where foodies get sniffy and try to name the foods they're smelling.
• HP Hood is sponsoring an inaugural New England Dairy Cook-Off in Portland this Nov. 1.
• Recipes: Pancetta & Red Pepper Penne, Broccoli, Ricotta Salata with Fusilli, Braised Fennel, Onions, Goat Cheese with Farfalle, Creamy Sausage and Broccoli Rabe with Fettuccine, Fusilli with Mexican Corn-and-Tomato Sauce, Zucchini Custard.

Gretchen Roberts writes the wine blog Vinobite, has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

According to industry research, the majority (58 percent) of grill owners use them year-round (I'm one of them, and have been known to dust a foot or so of snow off the barbie in the middle of January), but summer is really when grilling gets smokin' hot. With Father's Day and the whole "let's grill a big juicy steak for dad and buy him a tie" cliché less than a week away, let's talk a bit more about barbecue-friendly wines. (And be sure to check out our expert grilling tips here).

Wine and grill pairing basics and four recommended vinos after the jump.

Gretchen Roberts has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

With just a week to go until Memorial Day, here are five more wine steals for party hosts and guests.

5. Mirassou Pinot Grigio 2007 ($9). Ripe with oranges, peaches, nectarines and hints of spring flowers, this deliciously inexpensive Pinot Grigio got a surprise 90 rating from Wine Enthusiast.

4. Barefoot Riesling NV ($7). Slightly sweet and tasting simply of green apples and peaches, Barefoot Riesling is a good choice if you like riper, sweeter wines.

3. Hosmer Cayuga Lake Dry Riesling 2007 ($12). Dry and mineral on the nose, the Hosmer Riesling is tart with lemons, limes, green apples and white peaches -- lovely if you like bracingly dry whites. It made Wine & Spirits magazine's "100 Top Values of the Year" list in the June 2009 issue and is one of my absolute favorite New York State Rieslings.

Two more -- including a $7 vino -- after the jump.

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.