Looking for some seasonal inspiration to spice up your wine rack?

Come rain or shine, World Malbec Day has always been celebrated on April 17 – and with the date falling on a Friday this year, there couldn’t be a better time to drink in a little bit of happiness with one of the world’s most popular wines.

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Our love for a great Malbec knows no bounds, especially when it’s so intertwined with Argentina’s terroir and history. Deep, dark and dangerously fruity, it’s the kind of wine you want with empanadas and a juicy steak straight off the coals. With #WorldMalbecDay right around the corner—17 April, Friday no less—we’ve handpicked four styles of Malbec from some of our favourite winemakers to get you properly acquainted. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We’ve got a classic from Altos Las Hormigas for the uninitiated, a Tintonegro (Spanish for black wine) from the high altitudes of Uco Valley, an intense cherry red tipple from Calchaquí Valley and an elegant, floral rosé on the menu. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We’ll be taking a deep dive into each bottle in the coming days. You might want to look away if you’re staying in. It doesn’t kill, but the #FOMO is very real.

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With its deep inky colour, fruity softness and generous plummy personality, malbec offers wine lovers a soft landing all the way – especially if you don’t feel like getting spendy.

As our thirst for mighty malbec continues apace, there’s a variety of styles at favourable price points to be found on supermarket shelves. And these easy-drinking, high-altitude reds are made from grapes that bask in more than 300 days of sunshine a year – a drop of joy!

So, whether you’re raising a glass with a virtual party, catching up with your mates via zoom, or hunkering down with your other half on the sofa, these top drops will go down a treat… Salud!

1. Asda Extra Special Malbec, San Juan, Argentina (£7.50, Asda stores)

Asda Extra Special Malbec, San Juan, Argentina
(Asda/PA)

For the price, this is a gorgeous malbec with bags of deep colour and lush fruit, Asda’s senior wine buyers reckon. Bursting with dark red fruit flavours, a touch of toasty oak and a little spice make it a perfect partner for roast meat, BBQ’s at home or lightly spiced dishes.

2. Tesco Finest Argentinian Malbec 2019, Mendoza, Argentina (£8, Tesco stores)

Tesco Finest Argentinian Malbec 2019, Mendoza, Argentina
(Tesco/PA)

Instantly inviting, this malbec is floral and perfumed with a delicious combination of blackberry and plum flavours, alongside lighter notes of blueberry and white pepper. Velvety smooth with a long, fruity finish enriched by ripe black berries, it’s another savvy buy.

3. Estancia Malbec Reserva 2018, Uco Valley, Argentina (£8, Morrisons stores)

Estancia Malbec Reserva 2018, Uco Valley, Argentina
(Estancia/PA)

There’s a wonderful concentration to this full-bodied beauty, with vibrant aromas of cherry and blackberry, plus notes of vanilla and caramel. It’s all generously laden with rich black fruits and topped with a lovely long, succulent finish.

4. Valdivieso Winemaker Reserva Malbec Curicó 2019, Chile (£8.49, Waitrose)

Valdivieso Winemaker Reserva Malbec Curicó 2019, Chile
(Waitrose/PA)

Chile likes to turn its hand to most grapes – and you can’t go wrong with this little cracker. A perfect parcel of fruit, cushioned with a generous core of cassis, blueberries and sweet spice, lifted by lovely floral notes and a bright, fruity finish. Waitrose suggest this tastes softly plumier compared with an Argentinian malbec; another winner without a lofty price tag.

5. Vinalta Malbec 2017, Mendoza, Argentina (£9, Marks & Spencer stores)

Vinalta Malbec 2017, Mendoza, Argentina
(Marks & Spencer/PA)

Another gorgeous glass that’s bursting with plums, strawberries and spice with hints of lavender, this wine’s full of energy and has a vibrant, fruity elegance and no oak influence. Indeed, M&S suggest this malbec is versatile enough to be served lightly chilled, or pair with Thai food or pasta as well as your favourite cut of steak.

6. Mendel Malbec 2017, Mendoza, Argentina (£23.99, Winebuyers)

Mendel Malbec 2017, Mendoza, Argentina
(Winebuyers/PA)

Wonderfully complex, this is a couple of notches up the scale price-wise but worth splashing out on. Seductive and smooth as a silk stocking, the winemaker recommends decanting this wine ‘due to the intensity of the fruit, it’s body and volume’. You’ll be rewarded with an elegantly perfumed bouquet with touches of violet, a rhapsody of rich, black fruits and a finish as long as a runway. Gorgeousness in a glass.

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Best-selling malbec cases

Stuck for inspiration? Check out our list of best-selling Amazon products!

Bestseller No. 1
Trivento Reserve Malbec Red Wine ,Argentina, Sweet & Velvety, (6 x 75cl)
  • PALATE: Aged in oak for 6 months, this Malbec combines fig with sweet tannins & fruity notes - a bold, bright crimson wine
  • NOSE: Sweet, velvety wine - plum & raspberry aromas with elegant vanilla notes emanate from the wine glass
  • FOOD PAIRING: Pair your favourite red meat, cheeses & tomato-based pasta dishes with Trivento Reserve's Malbec red wine - elevate any meal
Bestseller No. 2
by Amazon Argentinian Malbec, Red Wine, 75cl, Case of 6
  • Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
  • Contains sulphites
  • Has a bright, lifted nose with a juicy palate of ripe berry fruits
Bestseller No. 3
Virgin Wines - The Best Of Malbec Red Wine Case - 6 Bottles (75cl)
  • A tasty trio of delicious new world Malbec, and you're getting 2 bottles of each!
  • An incredibly popular grape variety, that can be enjoyed on it's own or paired with a juicy steak.
  • Included within this selection: 2 x La Mechita Familia Zuccardi Malbec (75cl), 2 x El Sabio Malbec (75cl), 2 x MLBC Earth & Sun Malbec (75cl)
Bestseller No. 4
Laithwaites Top Selling Malbec Mix, Red Wine Case, 6 Bottles (75cl) - 13% - 14% ABV - Argentinian...
  • 🍷 HAND PICKED MALBEC WINE SELECTION. Argentina started the revolution of the century with meaty, mouthfilling Malbec, and talented winemakers the world over are getting in on it. This case boasts...
  • 🍾 CASE OF 6 MIXED BOTTLES. Rich, smooth-as-velvet Malbec from around the world. Customer Top Pick – Opi Malbec is intense and full flavoured black fruit, enjoy with spicy sausages, pasta or beef...
  • 🍇 WHAT'S INCLUDED. 2x Opi Malbec, 2x The Holdings Syrah Malbec & 2x Bariloche Malbec.
SaleBestseller No. 5
Rutas de Cafayate Malbec, 6 x 750ml
  • Juicy and approachable Argentinian Malbec from Salta, home to some of the highest vineyards in the world
  • Balance and harmony between ripe red fruits and a subtle touch of oak. On the palate Textured juiciness and round tannins. Complex and long finish
  • Pair it at a BBQ with grilled aubergine, steak or haloumi and good company

Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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