I’m a drinks writer — stop buying Malbec and try these Argentinian wines instead
I’m a drinks writer — stop buying Malbec and try these Argentinian wines instead
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Argentina produces 75% of the world’s Malbec. I’ll let that sit with you for a minute…. Yes, Malbec, the luscious, spicy, plummy red that is as inextricably linked to Argentina as baguettes are to France, pizza to Italy or tequila is to Mexico. We crave the predictability and consistency of a decent, mid-range Argentine Malbec, it’s rare to pour a duff drop of the stuff. Plus, it’s never ruinously expensive but equally, won’t have people thinking you’re on the breadline either. Basically, it’s in the running to be the perfect red wine, but could there be whispers of Malbec-fatigue?.
Like all good love stories, our relationship with Malbec is evolving, and let’s just say, it’s complicated. I actually went to Mendoza in September, Argentina’s principal winemaking region. Bizarrely, it wasn’t the Malbecs that blew me away, but two grapes I hadn’t associated with Argentina before: Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.
I felt naughty, like I was cheating on Malbec, but sometimes you just want to speak to someone else at the party. You know?. The Cabernet Franc proved that Argentina isn’t just a one grape wonder, earning accolades for its flavours of red currants, bell pepper and smoked mulberries. It thrives in the cooler regions of the Uco Valley and Patagonia, sneaking up on us, quickly becoming the star of the Malbec spinoff show.
