Malbec is marvelous – so much so that people of the world celebrate this grape April 17th every year!

Hailing from southwest France, Malbec is now recognized as the national grape of Argentina. It is happy there and does so very well! Malbec is mostly always made into a dry wine and tends to have notes of blackberry, plum, vanilla, sweet tobacco and chocolate. No wonder it is so popular.

Argentina’s most highly rated Malbec wines originate from Mendoza’s high altitude wine regions of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. These are located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains between 800 m and 1500 m elevation (2,800 to 5,000 feet). High altitude Malbec wines are complex with bright acidity.

Malbec wines range in price from cheap and cheerful to luxurious and expensive. The Wines of Argentina sent me some Malbec samples to enjoy over the past few weeks and I have come up with a few favourites that I would like to share with you.

Malbec Wines to Seek Out and Enjoy

• Alamos Malbec $14.99 – this is an easy-going, quaffable wine. Malbec leads the way and has 6% of Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah. Think meatless Monday with grilled portobello burgers. 87 Points
• Kaiken Malbec $15.99 – another enjoyable sipper. A great quality wine at a great price. Think taco Tuesday with beef or pork tacos. 87 Points.
• Alamos Seleccíon $16.99 – the pinnacle of the Alamos line. 100% Malbec with flavours of plum, dark cherry and violets. This Malbec has great depth and has spent 17 months in oak. Think Wednesday with wild mushroom risotto. 88 Points.
• Bodega Luigi Bosca ‘La Linda’ Old Vine Malbec $19.99 – wild berry notes in this wine will tantalize your tastebuds. Crafted with 100% Malbec, this is a fruit-forward expression. Think Thursday with roast lamb or rabbit. 88 Points.
• Bodega Luigi Bosca Malbec $23.99 – this baby is loaded with personality. Bright, red fruit flavours and is nicely balance with good acidity. This was a fun surprise for me. Aged 12 months in oak and comes from two of the top valleys in Mendoza. Think Friday with BBQ ribs. 89 Points.
• Susana Balbo ‘Ben Marco’ Malbec $26.99 – one of my favourite Malbec wine producers, Susana Balbo wines are delicious. Sourced from a high elevation vineyard in the esteemed Valle de Uco, quality shines in this elegant wine. Think Saturday evening with steak. 90 Points.
• Susana Balbo Ben Marco Expressivo Malbec $47.99 – yes, before your mouth drops, this wine is worth every penny. A special bottle to savour, share, or cellar for five or more years. Sourced from the Valle de Uco, the grapes were hand harvested and is a blend of 85% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc. The wine spent 14 months in French oak, 70% new French oak and the remaining in neutral barrels. Full, voluptuous and lush, Expressivo is exactly that. Bursting with fresh blackberry notes, violet and shaved chocolate, this Malbec has a distinct mineral vein that has me coming back for more. Think Sunday night dinner alongside roast beef or roast turkey with family and good friends. 93 Points.

You can find these wines at: B.C. Liquor stores, Marquis Wine Cellars, JAK’s Beer Wine Spirits and Everything Wine. Please check out the websites before heading out to purchase a few bottles of Malbec so that you find what you are looking for!

Thank you to the Wines of Argentina for such delicious wines to taste and savour.

I hope you will share with me in the comments what Malbec you will be enjoying on April 17th.

Christine