Wine Pairing

Snuggle Up with a Glass of Malbec

Malbec is a big, bold, and expressive kind of wine, originating from southwestern France and known for its deep purple colour. Its characteristics make it ideal for both cellar ageing and food pairing. The Malbec grape grows in sunny climates and cold nights and its aroma resembles that of plums, prunes, black cherries, and chocolate. Ranging between medium and full-bodied variations, Malbec is best paired with foods which are high in flavour.

Meat and Proteins

Malbec wine does not include a high level of tannins, so it is best paired with dark meat poultry, roasted pork, and lean red meat. The fruity taste of the wine also complements more gamey and earthy cuts of meat. Cook in dry, desert herbs and onions, more so than garlic, to bring out the flavour of the wine even more. For sides, stick to some classic roasted potatoes or roasted red peppers. Avoid bitter greens or vinaigrette salads.

Pasta

Malbec pairs best with pasta dishes which are heavy on the sauce, namely, meat sauce or ragu. Cook up some spaghetti Bolognese, lasagne or meat-stuffed ravioli and sip a glass of wine for the ultimate combination of flavours. If you’re looking for some spice, the wine also pairs well with spicy dishes because of its low tannin and alcohol levels.

Cheese

Malbec is one of few wines that pair well with pungent styles of cheese, like blue cheese or gorgonzola. Other kinds of cheese which do not leave a long-lasting after taste, such as provolone or melted Swiss cheese, are also an adequate pairing.

Vegetarian Options

If you prefer vegetarian alternatives, fear not, because there are a number of delicious meat-free options to pair with Malbec. Some of the favourites include baked eggplants, macaroni and cheese, bean burgers and baked ziti with tomato sauce. If you’re just looking for a snack, you can also go for roasted chickpeas.

A wide variety of quality ingredients are available from Arkadia supermarkets in Malta and Gozo, including Arkadia FoodExpress Swatar and Arkadia Food Market Valletta.

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