TIP OF THE DAY: Malbec Red Wine For Easter

March 22, 2013 at 6:22 am · Filed under Easter, Tip Of The Day, Wine

Marvelous Malbecs. Photo courtesy Trapiche
Vineyards.

If you’re in charge of the wine for Easter, how about trying something new?

Malbec, the signature grape of the Cahors area of southwestern France, has become the signature grape of Argentina. You’re likely to find a nice choice of Malbecs from both areas on the shelves of your wine store.

Malbec is deep purple in color and lush with ripe, juicy berry and plummy dark fruit flavors. Secondary flavors can include herbal, licorice/anise and violet notes.

Malbec will appeal to lovers of the Bordeaux grapes. It has been called “the more rustic cousin of Merlot” by wine expert Jancis Robinson. For many years it has been used in some Bordeaux blends to add deep color, tannins and plummy flavors. In the Loire Valley it is blended with Cabernet Franc and Gamay.

As global interest in wine has increased, Malbec has become bottled as a single varietal, vinified to be drunk young. It is excellent with Easter ham and lamb, as well as with turkey. In fact, Malbec can easily step in whenever a red wine is called for, including with spicy cuisines like Cajun.

Malbec is also delicious with bittersweet chocolate (see our chocolate and wine pairing chart).

TRAPICHE BIODNYNAMIC MALBEC

Those who prefer organic, sustainable wines should take a look at the Malbecs from Trapiche Vineyards, Argentina’s largest exported premium wines. The company practices biodynamic agriculture.

Biodynamic is the word used in most countries to describe what Americans call organic. It is actually the most rigorous approach among biological and ecological agricultural practices, with tougher standards than organic.

Biodynamic agriculture supports everything that is natural and forbids the use of chemicals, herbicides and fungicides. It aims for a balanced ecosystem, biodiversity and the recovery of the bacterial activity in the soils. The only fertilizers allowed are the vegetable and animal wastes from a biodynamic farm.

The Trapiche Vineyards Malbec is a rich red wine with aromas of plums and cherries on the nose, hints of truffle and vanilla on the palate and a smooth, full finish. The prices range from $8 for the basic varietal to $41 for the finest single-vineyard Malbecs.

WANT TO HAVE FUN WITH EASTER WINES?

Beyond Malbec, THE NIBBLE’s wine editor, Kris Prasad, recommends wines that are perfect for an Easter celebration:

Lacryma Christi, made from local grapes in red and white wines by Mastroberardino, the most renowned winery in the Campania region of southern Italy, established in the 1750s. Campania’s s by winemaker Pietro di Mastro Berardino. PiThe name means “tears of Christ.”

Saint Joseph “Offerus,” from the great French winemaker Jean Louis Chave, is a syrah-based wine from the Rhone region. According to the Gospels, Joseph donated his own prepared tomb for the burial of Jesus after his crucifixion. The great northern Rhone wine appellation Saint Joseph is named for him. “Offerus” means offering.

Here’s the full Easter wines article.