Malbec Moments On Argentina Day
It may be a huge weekend for sport, with the Wimbledon Ladies Final, the British GP qualifying at Silverstone and the Fury vs Klitschko II fight, but don’t forget to toast the 200th anniversary of Argentinian Independence today (July 9th) with what is fast becoming Belle’s favourite tipple – Malbec.
Originally from Bordeaux, France, the Malbec grape found its way over to a warmer climate in Argentina in the 1950s. Here, it thrived in the South American sunshine and the grape now makes up the majority of Argentina’s best known wines. After all, wine is the country’s National Drink. So why not try something a little different tonight and whip up an authentic Argentinian Locro – a hot, tasty stew made from corn, pumpkin, beans and either beef or pork – then wash it down with one of our expertly sourced best Malbecs.
- From the San Juan region of Argentina, Most Wanted Malbec (£7.99) is a medium-full bodied wine with blackberries, blueberries and a hint of oak. The result is a smooth and fruity red that makes a stellar duo with barbecued steak. Good news for you hard-core carnivores!
- For a spicier variety, the Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard DOC Malbec (£16.99) is hard to beat. With an intense violet colour and ripe cherry and plum aromas, this is a delicately perfumed wine with elegant sweetness.
- If you’re after an agreeable wine for a good price, try Sainsbury’s Morador Malbec (£8.00), part of their Taste The Difference range. Fruity and powerful, this is a good wine to keep for dinner parties and goes especially well with a curry.
- For something a bit different, why not try a Zuccardi Malamado Fortified Malbec (£14.95) which is more of a port than a traditional wine, and at 19.5% should certainly be sipped more slowly!
- For a Fair Trade variety at a great price, we like the Co-Op Fairtrade Malbec produced by Rodolfo Griguol, one of Argentina’s most respected winemakers. Harvested by hand and aged in oak barrels, one sip is enough to tell you this wine is something special.
