VinoLoverKnown for its body, dark fruit flavors and smoky finish, Malbec can be a great alternative to the more expensive Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Besides being affordable, its characteristics make it a wine definitely worth trying. Here we tell you about them.
Characteristics of Malbec wine
Malbec Flavor Palette
We can find dark fruits such as black cherry, plum, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, or raisins. Also, other flavors like cocoa, milk chocolate, vanilla, coffee, molasses, leather, black pepper, green stem, gravel, and even tobacco.
Color of Malbec
Malbec wine has a color that vacillates between red and purple. It is very deep and opaque. When drunk, it will leave a magenta-colored rim on the glass.
Acidity and Tannins
Malbec wines are characterized by both medium acidity and concentration of tannins. As for the acidity, this type of grape produces it more easily in areas of high elevation with a great change of temperature between day and night, that is why we can say that it is a variety that loves the heights.
Alternatives to Malbec
Other grape varieties that can be thought of as alternatives to Malbec because of their great body are Syrah, Bonarda, Dolcetto, Petit Verdot, Petit Syrah, Nero d’Avola, Merlot, Mourvèdre, among others.
Blends
We can find blends of this type of grape mixed with other varieties such as Merlot and Petit Verdot. In Argentina, where most of the wine is produced from this grape, it is often mixed with another regional variety called Bonarda (or Deuce Noir).
Production areas
Argentina (in Mendoza, San Juan and Salta) leads in grape production with more than 75% of all Malbec hectares in the world. It also grows in France (Bordeaux and Loire Valley), and to a lesser extent in the USA (California, Washington and Oregon), Chile (Colchagua, Curicó and Cachapoal), and to an even lesser extent in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Aging
Argentine Malbec wines are usually aged for no more than six months in oak. If the wine remains between 10 and 12 months in the barrel, the wine will get that smell of blueberry. Some wines from this grape are aged for a long time, between 18 and 20 months, but in those cases the price rises considerably.
Pairing of Malbec
Since it does not have a very long finish, as we can find in Cabernet Sauvignon, the Malbec goes especially well with dark poultry or leaner red meat. Also with soft cheeses, with cow or goat milk, tasty, soft and semi-firm.
As for spices and herbs, the most suitable are those with earthy or smoky flavors, such as cumin, rosemary, parsley and thyme, among others. For those who prefer a vegetarian menu, it is key to use mushrooms, roasted vegetables, peppers, potatoes, chard, onions, but never rice.
VinoLover
Claudio Comella
