We Can't Get Enough Of This Argentinian Treat

Maybe you won’t find me turning up my nose when another wine is offered, but I’ve recently become consumed by Argentinian malbec wines.

Having grown up with wine connoisseurs, I’ve learned a lot about certain grapes, what makes them great (or not) and how to pick and choose wines properly.

Malbec wines can go either way - the grape (which is one of the “big six” for red wine grapes in Bordeaux) is a tricky one. A malbec wine is full bodied, which means it has a fairly rich flavour, often lingers on the palette, and is typically high in alcohol content.

Basically, you want to find a malbec that isn’t too heavy, but still maintains the taste of the grape. The following vintages are some of my favourites.

1. Bodega Colome Malbec
Having received global critical acclaim, and been ranked number 32 out of the 100 best wines in the world by “The Wine Spectator,” this is my favourite malbec for a reason.  The grapes are grown in the high Andes, and the altitude is apparently what makes this wine great. (A vineyard’s altitude is often located on the back label as a proxy for quality). This malbec does an excellent job creating a rich yet smooth taste. Though slightly more expensive than other malbecs from this region, it is very long lasting, and so well worth the $34.95.

2. Finca Sophenia Malbec
Finca Sophenia’s malbec is superb. The vinyard is located at the foothills of the Andes, a perfect place for this grape to ripen. Apparently the cool air and well-drained, therefore dry slopes allow the wines to acquire a level of complexity which trumps those of Bordeaux or Napa. At $16.95 at the LCBO, this wine is worthy of your most magnificent steaks.

3. Callia Alta Malbec
For those who enjoy a richer, darker tasting malbec, this one is for you. There’s a tangy taste of cherries, and even a tinge of tobacco; strangely enough, that combination is wonderful.I’d suggest a really light, red meat meal to go with Callia Alta - the wine itself will fill you up quickly. This wine goes for $9.95.

4. Finca Flichman Malbec
Finca Flichman is what I buy when I’m going to a fancy dinner party on a budget. It’s not very well known, but it’s an absolute steal. At $8.20, this Argentinian wine has aromas of dark berries and notes of spice. It’s a bit oakier than the rest – it resembles a Spanish wine - but still quite tasty, and goes great with something like duck confit.

5. Argento Malbec
Another bottle of wine suitable for a wine snob on a tight budget, Argento malbec, much like the others, has hints of dark berries, with a touch of vanilla and sweet spice. Actually, what drew me to it in the first place (besides the price) was its colour - a beautiful deep violet. This wine is super delicious, and only $10.95.

Image from MorgueFile

Nicole Simon
		About the author:
		Nicole is a Toronto native, who somehow weaseled her way into the Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. There, she majored in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising. Her greatest accomplishments include working as a fish monger for one memorable summer when she was eighteen, and getting scowled at by Judge Judy in line at a restaurant in Manhattan.
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