Midalidare’s Grape Varieties: Malbec - Wine & Dine

If aged in oak, plan to decant Malbec-based wines for at least one hour or use an aerator. Varietal wines tend to perform best in larger Old World Syrah glass (mid-size stem, egg-shaped bowl, narrow rim) or regular Red wine glass, at room temperatures to keep aromas fresh. For Malbecs focused solely on fruit and with very light tannins, it is also possible to consider serving them slightly cooler.
* Serve: 16-18°C
* Glass type: Syrah glass, Regular red glass
* Decant: at least 1 hour if oaked
Malbec food pairings in general
As Malbec is a versatile grape variety, it therefore adapts to a myriad of dishes. Let’s discover:
- Meat: dark meat poultry, beef, chicken, lamb, pork,
- Saucy dishes: stews and civets
- Cheese: Manchego, aged Cheddar, Gouda, Provolone, Gorgonzola Dolce
- Vegetables: potatoes, beans, mushrooms, paprika, endive
- Others: smoky spices, dishes with hints of sweetness, savory bitterness, earthy herbs, and smoky flavors, bittersweets
Malbec pairings by meals
Red meat dishes: Roasted duck; seared beef; grilled/BBQ beef, lamb or pork; Steak, lamb chops, smoked brisket, BBQ ribs with tangy sauces, pulled pork, steak or lamb chops with smoked paprika and roasted peppers.
Saucy dishes: Beef bourguignon, coq au vin, cassoulet, lentil and sausage stew, duck or pork with mole sauce, cocoa, and green onion.
Regional Favorites: Beef empanadas, mushroom risotto, dishes with chimichurri, Argentinian asado cuts like bife de chorizo or ojo de bife.
Cheese: Blue cheeseburgers with mushrooms and caramelized onions.
Vegetables: Roasted vegetables; grilled endive or black beans seasoned with cumin and chili.
Desserts: Milk chocolate or cocoa powder desserts; flourless chocolate cake; dark chocolate truffles; or fudge brownie; caramel tarts; pecan pie, strawberry pie; plum tart.
- Focus on Bittersweet: Choose desserts that are not overwhelmingly sugary, as high sugar levels can make dry Malbec taste bitter
- Intensity Matters: Pair richer, more oaky Malbecs with intense, dark chocolate desserts, and younger, fruitier Malbecs with fruit or cream-based desserts.
- Midalidare’s grape varieties: Malbec in a nutshell - Part 1: Essential information about Malbec
- Midalidare’s grape varieties: Malbec – The variety and the terroirs - Part 2: Malbec – Specifics of the variety and appropriate regions
- Midalidare’s grape varieties: Malbec – Wines & winemaking - Part 3: Malbec – Styles of wines and winemaking techniques
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