What Foods to Pair with a Malbec

Malbec is a popular full-bodied Argentine red wine. It is smooth and versatile with hints of smokiness and notes of black cherries and blackberries. There are three types of Malbec: rustic, young and heavyweight – each pairing well with specific foods. The next time you serve Malbec to family and friends remember these delicious pairing options.

Rustic Malbec

Pair rustic Malbec such as Côt and Cahors with rich and savory dishes that include flavorful sausages, lamb shanks, duck, pot roast, short ribs or beef stews. If you begin serving the wine before dinner, pair it with light goat cheeses and crackers. You can also serve hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy and Aged Gouda from Holland.

Young Malbec

Fruity, young Malbec pairs well with casual delicious foods such as beef burritos, pasta dishes, fajitas and chilli. It is also a great match for barbecue foods. Although beer is usually preferred at barbecues, impress your guests with a glass of Malbec. It pairs deliciously with hamburgers, beef ribs and almost any other grilled meat.

Heavyweight Malbec

Cheddar cheese and a glass of Malbec is a great appetizer to serve together before dinner. It allows your guests to prepare their pallet for any savory meat dish you choose to serve. Full-bodied Malbec pairs well with meat dishes such as beef teppanyaki and roasted lamb, in addition to steak, roast beef and meat filled pie dishes.

Whether you choose to serve rustic, young or heavyweight Malbec, it is always an excellent match for meat dishes. Preparing dishes in a slow cooker is a popular way to create delicious meals to accompany a Malbec. The slow cooker allows the flavor from the meat to combine with the other ingredients in the cooker for an extended period of time, providing extremely flavorful dishes with easy preparation. Try to include spices that have earthy or smoky flavors such as: Parsley, Sumac, Thyme, Rosemary, Porcini Powder, Smoked Paprika, Black Pepper, Cumin, Coriander, Juniper Berry, Clove, Vanilla Bean, Garlic, Shallot, Green Onion and Barbecue Sauce. Get your taste buds ready to experience the exquisite pairing of meat with Malbec!