Col. No. 7 - Malbec Great Step to Better Wine

You’d had a Merlot, a Cab, and maybe even a Zinfandel or other type of red wine. You are adventurous with your taste. Perhaps you’re just looking for a consistent wine you can buy over and over and explore the grape as you increase your wine knowledge.

Argentinean Malbec is the wine you should be drinking if you fit in to any of the above categories. Or if you just want to try something different, Malbec might be for you.

Malbec is one of the darlings of the value wine world. You can find outstanding wines in the $12-$18 range at any wine shop. And, Malbecs are starting to show up in many grocery stores.

Malbec was once known as a varietal of Bordeaux, the great wine-making region of France. Malbec has, at times, been compared to Merlot. Malbec’s French history is comparable to Merlot. The French use Malbec to blend into their great red wines. But since they use it primarily for blending, they never really developed the grape to any great extent.

The Malbec grape has thin skin and requires intense heat to make great wines. Apparently, in the late 1800s a French agricultural specialist began growing Malbec in Argentina. And as they say, the rest is history. Argentinean Malbec grapes produced a softer, less-tannin driven wine that proved perfect not just for blending but as a standalone wine. It’s not unusual to find Malbecs with an Italian or French name as many great European producers have bought vineyards in Argentina to grow the grape.

For years Bonarda, a smoky and earthy wine, was the primary grape of Argentina and the country’s famed Mendoza Valley. In 2007, Argentina exported more than 13 million gallons of Malbec. The United States is Argentina’s biggest customer, gobbling up $50 million of the Malbec wines.

So while history is important, why should you drink it and experiment with it? Well, the answer is the same as always and that’s because you’ll like it. Malbec is usually an inky black wine with a very approachable, smooth taste. Some wines will be very soft to almost thin, usually depending on the price point. But others will be fruity or jammy. You’ll taste ripe black fruit, a sense of earthiness, and acidity.

I have expanded my palate by purchasing different Malbecs and comparing them. Malbec is my favorite value red wine. The price point is not limited to the $12-18 I mentioned above. You will find very good Malbecs in the $9-$10 range on occasion. And, there are high end Malbecs worthy of aging that will hold up to the Cabernet and Bordeaux wines that get all the publicity.

News & Notes
- Grape Sense has debuted in Seymour and Terre Haute since my last writing. It’s cool to get feedback. I heard from a descendent of the Bogle wine family who lives in Jackson County. And, I heard from a “wine guy” at Beasler’s Market in Terre Haute after my first column ran there. I also heard from a couple of Terre Haute Star-Tribune readers asking for some recommendations. I intend on visiting Beasler’s soon and will write about that in my blog. (www.redforme.blogspot.com)

- The Associated Press reported recently that the United States is poised to become the world’s largest wine consumer. Italy has held the top spot in recent years, but projections suggest the U.S. will become the world’s biggest consumer of wine in 2012. I posted a link in the blog to the AP story.

- I have to include a thank you to Grape Sense readers in Frankfort, Indiana. I traveled to the Gem City Jan. 6 and did a short wine education program for the Frankfort Kiwanis Club.

- Indiana has another winery opening. Wildcat Creek Winery joins 36 other Indiana wineries. It’s apparently in a restored farmhouse right off I-65. I’m going to try to visit several Indiana wineries in spring and summer and feature them in Grape Sense. The other interesting news from Indiana’s Wine Grapes Council is that four more Indiana wineries are due to open this year!

Howard’s Picks:
Caligiore Malbec, from Argentina’s Mendoza Valley. This is not one for the beginners. It is big, bold, and dry. It has some tannins on the finish and was great with dinner. You’ll find it in wine shops anywhere from $12-$18.

Maipe Malbec. This is a great silky smooth Malbec. The fruit on the front of the palate won’t be as strong but it’s hard not to like. Look for Maipe at $10-$14.

Sediento Malbec/Bonarda, a 50/50 blend that rocks! This one is smooth with a bigger flavor at the front of the palate than the Maipe or the Saint Julia you’ll see in wine shops everywhere. The Saint Julia isn’t bad, but a little thin for my tastes. Try the Sediento blend and I think you’ll love it. This wine generally retails $9-$11.

You can read where I buy my wines on my other blog and comments about them. All the wines I recommend are purchased in Central Indiana.