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3 Argentinian Malbecs for Malbec World Day 2016

Intense, alluring and delighfuly spicy, Argentina’s star varietal is the tango of the wine world. Malbec World Day is celebrated across the globe on April 17, a date chosen to honour the introduction of the grape into the South American country by French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget in 1853.

As spring comes near and barbecue season approaches, we have yet more reasons to uncork a bottle of this wine, ideal partner to an asado and splendid alongside grilled beef. And because it takes more than two to discover this fiery yet approachable red, here are three different shades to toast to Argentinian Malbec.

Cantena Malbec 2013Catena Malbec 2013
€17.50, Donnybrook Fair
13,5% ABV / 100% Malbec

Remarkably typical, this award-winning wine will prove itself a great introduction to the variety. Made from a blend of grapes obtained from selected wineyards in the Mendoza region, it is elegant and balanced in appearance and flavour.

Its deep violet tone foretells aromas of ripe blackberries seasoned generously with pepper and sweet spice. This full bodied wine will linger pleasantly on the palate and is best enjoyed with beef or matured cheese.

 

Malbec Clasico Altos Las Hormigas 2014Malbec Clasico Altos Las Hormigas 2014
€19.75 down to 16,79, Mitchell & Son
13% ABV / 100% Malbec

Made from handpicked fruit from vineyards in Medrano, Barrancas and Lulunta, this blend of different Malbec grapes is delicate and subtle, but manages to keep its edge.

It begins with red and black ripe berries aromas which soon gain deph with a faint leafy note and a hint of white pepper. After a while, tropical fruit reveals itself, again, timidly but determined.

Silky and light bodied, this is a softer side of the usually rustic gaucho that will captivate palates simply by itself, or accompanied with cheese, mildly seasoned cured meats or even pepperoni pizza.

 

Dadá No.1 Las Moras 2014Dadá No.1 Las Moras 2014
€9.99, Martins Off-License
13% ABV / Malbec, Bonarda

Offbeat and quirky, this afordable treat from Mendoza is inspired by the surrealist movement that claimed to be anti-art. With some luscious and plummy Bonarda added to the blend, this anti-Malbec might not raise as many eyebrows as Marcel Duchamp’s mustachoed Mona Lisa but it is definitely unexpected.

This very dark coloured wine comes in three versions, No.1 highlights the vanilla aromas, No.2 shines for its coffee notes, and No.3 wins as the the spicier. The sweetnes of Dadá No.1 reflects the time it spent in toasted American oak barrels. Pair it with game for a funky and enjoyable match.

For more information on Malbec World Day 2016 visit www.malbecworldday.com.

ARTICLE BY GABY GUEDEZ

Gaby ProfileGabriela’s passion for writing is only matched by her love for food and wine. Journalist, confectioner and sommelier, she fell in love with Ireland years ago and moved from Venezuela to Dublin in 2014.

Since then, she has written about and worked in the local food scene, and she’s determined to discover and share the different traditions, flavours and places that have led Irish food and drink to fascinate her.

Gabriela Guédez Gabriela Guédez
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