Favorite food to pair with Malbec

I was wondering what everyone's favorite food is to pair with an Argentinean Malbec?

[David M. Bueker]

Grilled meat.

[Jenise]

I'll second that.

Cinnamon Raisin Bagels.

However, I'd put some sort of grilled cow a close second.

[Robin Garr]

In addition to the obvious, already stated, Malbec (assuming it's not overoaked, internationalized and Parkerized) is remarkably good with pizza!

Great...thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Bill , we all know that "bagels" with cinnamon and raisins are actually called breadwheels. Let's use the proper terminology here...LOL!

I actually tasted my 2nd Malbec last night. It was very good...it reminded me of a cross between Merlot and a Chianti. It seemed very food friendly. I had it with some roasted chicken last night and would like to taste it again tonight.

Robin, I am making Giambotta tonight...mine has little meatballs, zucchini, string beans, and potatoes...do you think it would be ok with that?

Robin, I am making Giambotta tonight...mine has little meatballs, zucchini, string beans, and potatoes...do you think it would be ok with that?

Maria, I'm not Robin, but I recommend you take Eric Asimov's advice and try a bottle of Puzelat's Loire malbec named "KO" (In Cot we Trust). You may never feel the same way again about malbec!

[Robin Garr]

Robin, I am making Giambotta tonight...mine has little meatballs, zucchini, string beans, and potatoes...do you think it would be ok with that?

It shouldn't war with the polp ... er, meatballs, Maria, but I think the tomato sauce with the meat is the thing that makes Chianti (and Malbec) sing with both pizza and with pasta and meat sauce, gravy, etc.

Regular Malbec with burgers and lotsa ketchup.

Catena Alta Malbec with Charred Beast.

Big ol' Cahors (something from Georges Vigouroux, like the Haut Serre '90) with wild hare.

Yup. Dead steers. Brisket seared, braised and then grilled some more.

But if it will work with Zin, it'll probably work with Malbec. They're both blue-collar wines.

John

Maybe this should be three questions: What's your favorite food with (1) Loire Malbecs (Cot), (2) Argentine Malbecs, and (3) Cahors? For food matching purposes Loire Malbecs and the other two don't have a lot in common.

I'd be tempted to say Cassoulet, even in the case of the Cots.

I'm going to show my ignorance here, as I've only had Portteus Malbec (Rattlesnake Hills AVA, WA) and I'm not sure which style it falls into; but we find it pairs rather well with takeout Mexican, the abovementioned pizza, and anything my best friend's Honduran mother cooks.

Thanks everyone...I hope to try some French Malbec soon as well.

Robin, the Malbec did well with the Giambotta, especially since, like you said, it marries well with the tomato sauce.

Christine - I could definitely see this wine pairing well with Mexican. I might do that next time.

I really enjoyed the Malbec...I don't know what took me so long to try them. It will certainly be added to my favorite everyday wines. It definitely reminded me of Zin or Shiraz, but much better acidity and lower alcohol. Like I said, I was impressed how food friendly it was.

I really enjoyed the Malbec...I don't know what took me so long to try them. It will certainly be added to my favorite everyday wines. It definitely reminded me of Zin or Shiraz, but much better acidity and lower alcohol. Like I said, I was impressed how food friendly it was.

Are you going to tell us what it was, or just keep us in suspense?

Maybe this should be three questions: What's your favorite food with (1) Loire Malbecs (Cot), .

Psst - Clint, I think you meany Cahors, which is way south of the Loire. I'm a big fan od Cahors - you don't see any of the sort of over-fruited jammy crap you see from the same grape made elsewhere.

Are you going to tell us what it was, or just keep us in suspense?

Oh, LOL, sorry Oswaldo! Yes it's the 2006 Rutini Trumpeter Malbec. A friend brought it over a while back and I saw it the other night and decided to give it a try. Definitely a good everyday drinker, especially since we eat a lot of grilled meats.

I don't think I realized that Cahors is Malbec. Is it a varietal or a blend made primarily with Malbec? I haven't tried a Cahors either, but I most certainly will. I usually prefer a wine that is more traditional in style. Can anyone suggest a good Cahors?

I don't think I realized that Cahors is Malbec. Is it a varietal or a blend made primarily with Malbec?

Depends who is making it.

Some will be 100% malbec and as they seek softer and easier wines the percentage of merlot will increase.

I usually prefer a wine that is more traditional in style. Can anyone suggest a good Cahors?

Gamot, Cayrou. And don't forget Clos Roche Blance Cot (not Cahors, but...).

Clos Coutale should be around. Good wine!

Clos Coutale should be around. Good wine!

Agree. Available and cheap. Nothing wrong with that.

I don't drink much Malbec, but when I do, it's always with beef pot roast or beefsteak grilled over hardwood. I just find a natural affinity between them.

Although I am a Pinotage fan first and foremost, I do think that with non-grilled (i.e. oven-roasted, or stewed) beef, Malbec, Tannat, Cab and Merlot work better; Pinotage on the other hand really shines with the hardwood-grilled beef and savoury foods (it's great with anything calling for extra-sharp old cheddar in the recipe).

Oh, LOL, sorry Oswaldo! Yes it's the 2006 Rutini Trumpeter Malbec. A friend brought it over a while back and I saw it the other night and decided to give it a try. Definitely a good everyday drinker, especially since we eat a lot of grilled meats.

I don't think I realized that Cahors is Malbec. Is it a varietal or a blend made primarily with Malbec? I haven't tried a Cahors either, but I most certainly will. I usually prefer a wine that is more traditional in style. Can anyone suggest a good Cahors?

Good choice! I like the whole Rutini line, starting with the entry-level Trumpeter, and going up from there.

For simple everyday Cahors I like Coutale too, also available in half bottles.

At a recent Malbec wine tasting, one of the side dishes was grilled duck breast. Excellent match! (Thanks Lotti and Beth!)

Salute

But if it will work with Zin, it'll probably work with Malbec. They're both blue-collar wines.

....? Care to clarify what you mean by blue-collar...?