Malbec

Malbec is Argentina’s flagship, its dark purple grapes making ridiculously satisfying cheapies and more serious reds for only slightly more coin. Argentina’s best ones grow up in the Andes Mountains where cool sunlight and dry conditions allow beautiful richness but also clean, bright plum fruit flavours and floral aromatics. In its original home in France it contributes to Bordeaux blends while in the South West it makes the ‘Black Wine of Cahors’ - huge reds with deep colour, tannins and a meatiness that cries out for venison or rich stew. New World and New Zealand examples are usually less rustic but perfect with the classic Argentinian match of barbequed meats and chimichurri sauce.