Malbec: A South American Delight

Malbec wines tend to have an inky dark color and robust tannins. Long known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine, the French plantations of Malbec are now found primarily in Cahors in the South West France region. While acreage of Malbec is declining in France, in Argentina the grape is surging and has become a "national variety" of sort that is uniquely identified with Argentine wine around the world. Argentine Malbec doesn't have the tannic structure of a French Malbec, it being more plush in texture. Argentine Malbecs are inky red or violet, full-bodied wine with notes of spice and cassis. . The Mendoza region is the leading producer of Malbec in Argentina with plantings found throughout the country in places such as La Rioja, Salta, San Juan, Catamarca and Buenos Aires

The D.O.C, or Denominacion de Origen Controlada, is a title given in wine circles to the guarantee in Argentina that a wine came from a specific region in this case “Luján de Cuyo”. The D.O.C Luján de Cuyo was created in 1989 with the objective of protecting and regulating the farming and production techniques of the Malbec varietal, which is native of the Luján de Cuyo region in Mendoza. As it happens with the most demanding Denominations of the world, a wine with D.O.C Lujan de Cuyo certification must comply with a strict protocol that begins at the vineyard and finishes once the wine has been produced, after obtaining the approval of the Regulating Commission.

Luigi Bosca D.O.C Malbec 2005

Regular price €17.95 SLASHED TO €14.36 (SAVE 20%)

The “La Linda” Vineyard, from which this wine is sourced is located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, as a result this wine is entitled to display the words D.O.C and the name Luján de Cuyo on the bottle. The wine shows an intense violet color and displays ripe cherry and plum aromas. Spiced, with hints of mocha and blackberries, this is a delicately perfumed wine with elegant sweetness.

William Cole Alto Vuelo Organic Malbec 2006

Price €12.95

Not to be out done by their South American neighbours the Chileans produce some fine examples of Malbec. This one from William Cole's Alto Vuelo range is 100% organically produced and is vibrant red in color. Notes of fruit of the forest and dark chocolate on the nose. The palate shows powerful flavors of dark berry fruit, cassis and pepper corn, softly integrated with smokey leather notes from its barrel aging.