New World wines are those produced outside the borders of the traditional winemaking regions in Europe. It is interesting to see how promising the wines from the warm climates of Chile, Argentina and South Africa are, where constant experiments with winemaking & viticulture techniques are definitely progressing beyond the traditional approaches of their Old World counterparts. 

Fun fact: The Malbec grape originated in France, but Argentina grows about 70% of the global output.

The winemaking tradition of Argentina started in the 1500s, but output was mostly consumed domestically. Much has changed in the last 20 years when the country improved its winemaking techniques,eventually producing excellent Malbec wines that the country can now be proud of. Today, Argentina is now South America’s largest wine producer, and Malbec its national grape!

Characteristics of the Malbec Grape Variety

Malbec is a thick-skinned grape that prefers areas of high elevation in order to produce more acidity. Argentina’s high elevation and continental climate have allowed this grape to thrive and become distinct from Malbec grown in France, producing deeply-colored, rich, and robust wines with enough alcohol, tannin, and acidity to support oak aging. While there are similarities between the Argentinian Malbec and that originating in Cahors, France, the Argentinian variant has a more velvety texture, more black fruit-forward character (sometimes even cocoa or dark chocolate notes), and spicy, vanilla notes conferred by months of oak aging. Since it doesn’t have the long finish of the more popular Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec wines are typically paired with leaner red meats, flavors like blue cheese, and rustic flavors like mushrooms. 

There’s definitely a lot of Malbec Wines to explore from this region. To get yourself started, here are the Top 5 Malbec Wines on Boozy!

1. Terrazas Altos Del Plata Malbec 750ml

Photo from @Terrazas_Andes

Origin : Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley, Argentina

Grape Variety: 100% Malbec

Taste Notes: Altos del Plata by Terrazas de los Andes is the fruit expression of a single varietal grown at its ideal altitude in Mendoza – pure, fresh and spontaneous. The fruit expression of each varietal at its optimum altitude. It is a vibrant wine that is well balanced, with notes of raspberries, blackberries and prunes. 

Recommended Serving Temperature: 14 to 16 °C.

2. Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec 750ml

Origin : Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley, Argentina

Grape Variety: 100% Malbec

Taste Notes: Bright red in color with purple shades. Aroma is intense floral and fruity notes with a presence of violets, ripe black cherry and plum aromas. Reveals a toasty and spicy character of black pepper and chocolate. Its sweet and juicy mouthfeel delivers finesse, delicate tannins and an elegant finish of black fruits.

Recommended Serving Temperature: 14 to 16 °C.

3. Chateau Gaudin Paulliac Rouge 2012 750ml

Origin : Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Grape Variety: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 25% Malbec

Taste Notes: Produced on a small family-run estate that is surrounded by Bordeaux first growths, this wine is structured and firm. This wine has green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. It has dark tannins and black currant fruit, together giving a ripe, smoky wine. The 40-year-old vines add to the concentration of this wine.

Recommended Serving Temperature: 18 °C.

4. Amancaya Reserve Red Blend 750ml

Origin : Mendoza, Argentina

Grape Variety: 72% Malbec and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon 

Taste Notes: Deep ruby in color. Aroma is intense with white flowers, red cherries and figs. Juicy and complex with hints of cloves and other spices. This well-balanced wine is an elegant expression of the blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Recommended Serving Temperature: 16 to 18 °C.

5. Aguaribay Malbec Baron E. Rothschild 750ml

Origin : Mendoza, Argentina

Grape Variety: 100% Malbec

Taste Notes: Good intensity red in color. Resembles intense ripe cherries and raspberries aromas with a slight vanilla scent, adding elegance to the wine. Juicy, fine-grained and light on its feet, offering claret-like flavors of dark berries, fresh herbs, spices and chocolate. Lovely, energetic wine in an airy, elegant Old World style. Aguaribay is a medium to full bodied wine.

Recommended Serving Temperature: 16 to 18 °C.

So the next time you’re looking for deep, full-bodied wine that can pair with meat or heavily sauced dishes, remember that Malbec has travelled along the way from France You definitely will be up for a treat with Argentina’s Signature Wine. 

Try it out here. Cheers and Happy National Malbec Day!