MALBEC

     MALBEC WINES ARE LOVED FOR THEIR PLUMP, RICH, DRAK FRUIT FLAVORS AND SMOOTH CHOCOLATY OR SMOKY FINISH.  MALBEC WINE OFFERS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO HIGHER PRICED CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND SYRAH.  HOWEVER, THERE’S MORE TO MALBEC THAN JUST VALUE.

 

     MALBEC, WHICH IS ALSO CALLED CÔT (“COAT”) OR “AUXXEROIS,” COMES FROM SUD-OUEST, FRANCE. THE THICK-SKINNED GRAPE WAS A NATURAL CROSS OF TWO ESOTERIC VARIETIES: PRUNELARD FROM GAILLAC AND MAGDELEINE DES CHARENTES FROM MONTPELLIER (THE MOTHER OF MERLOT!).  MALBEC IS AN IMPORTANT BLENDING GRAPE IN BORDEAUX BUT, BECAUSE OF ITS POOR RESISTANCE TO FUNGAL DISEASES AND PESTS, IT NEVER SURFACED AS A TOP GRAPE.

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     THE GRAPE REALLY DIDN’T RISE TO FAME UNTIL IT WAS BROUGHT INTO MENDOZA, ARGENTINA. IT WAS FIRST PLANTED BY A NOSTALGIC FRENCH BOTANIST IN 1868 WHO HOPED TO IMPROVE WINE QUALITY IN THE REGION. TODAY, IT’S NOW ARGENTINA’S MOST IMPORTANT GRAPE.

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RED MEAT

DARK MEAT POULTRY AND LEAN RED MEAT. MALBEC PAIRS WELL WITH EARTHY FLAVORS TOO, SUCH AS BEEF BRISKET, LAMB, BEEF, BUFFALO, AND PORK SHOULDER.

POULTRY

CHICKEN, DUCK, OSTRICH

SEAFOOD

HALIBOT, SALMON, SWORDFISH

CHEESE

LOOK FOR FUNKY AND RICH SOFT TO SEMI-FIRM COW’S AND GOAT’S MILK CHEESES.

HERBS/SPICES

GREEN PEPPERCORN, BLACK PEPPER, RED CHILI FLAKES, CHIPOTLE, GARLIC, CUMIN, CORRIANDER, THYME, OREGANO, CHIVES, LEMON

VEGETABLES

MUSHROOM, ROASTED VEGETABLES, GREEN AND RED BELL PEPPERS, POTATO, ARUGULA, KALE, CHARD, GRILLED ENDIVE, ONION, BEET, TEMPEH, LENTILS, BLACK BEANS, AND FORBIDDEN RICE ALL PAIR BEAUTIFULLY WITH MALBEC

 

NEED SOME IDEAS?

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     BBQ.  LIGHT UP YOUR GRILL!!! STEAKS, FAJITAS, LAMB, BEEF, PORK, BURGERS AND MORE. MALBECS      PAIR WELL WITH THE SMOKINESS OF A CHARGRILLED PIECE OF MEAT. BLACK PEPPER BUFFALO            BURGERS WITH BLUE CHEESE MUSHROOMS AND ROSEMARY INFUSED GARLIC KALE CHIPS. UH,              YUM!

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     BRAISED BEEF STEWS OR SHORTRIBS.  ESPECIALLY WITH SMOKED BACON (MALBEC’S ALSO A                GOOD WINE TO ADD TO A STEW)

 

     A CHARCUTERIE PLATTER.  WITH SALAMI, IBÉRICO HAM, TALEGGIO CHEESE, MANCHEGO CHEESE,          FARMHOUSE CHEDDAR, AND MORE IS A GREAT MALBEC APPETIZER PAIRING.

     

     PASTA.  MEATY PASTAS LIKE SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE, BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE, AND PASTAS              WITH MUSHROOMS AND ONIONS (IN A RED SAUCE) ARE ALL EXCELLENT CHOICES. YOU CAN ALSO          PAIR WITH AN ARTISAN-STYLE WHITE CHEDDAR MACARONI AND CHEESE.

 

     VEGETARIAN CUISINE.  TRY IT WITH RICH MUSHROOM OR FUNKY CHEESE DISHES. IDEAS INCLUDE:        GRILLED MUSHROOM CAPS, SPICY BEAN BURGERS WITH WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE, SPICY PASTA          WITH MUSHROOMS, OR CRISPY CHEESE CROSTINI.

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     SEAFOOD.  ARGENTINEAN-STYLE GRILLED SWORDFISH WITH SPICY-ORANGE CHIMICHURRI,                      PINEAPPLE TERIYAKI SALMON WITH AN ORANGE-ZEST, OR A SIMPLE GRILLED HALIBUT WITH                  CILANTRO AND GARLIC​