Daily dispatches on the Washington, DC area's food, restaurant and dining scene.

The Wine Guy: A Bargain Bottle for Pizza Night

Share | Print

Argentinian Malbec makes a great pairing for casual food.

By Dave McIntyre   Published Thursday, February 21, 2008

Malbec has several advantages for wine lovers on a budget. It starts in Argentina, where the dollar isn’t being killed yet, so it represents value. Its tannins disappear into the fruit—they’re softer than the tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, so the wine tastes less astringent, more accessible, even while it has structure. And it’s easy to pair with a range of casual foods, including pizza, burgers, and steaks.

The Don Miguel Gascón Malbec 2006 from the Bodegas Escorihuela Gascón in Argentina’s Mendoza region is a fine example. It features Malbec’s blueberry and plum flavors with a whiff of spice and meat. Good quality, a dose of complexity, and a fantastic bargain.  At $12, it’s as easy on the wallet as it is on the palate.
 

Comments

Strange that you mention this -- I tried the Gascon Malbec (bought from Trader Joe’s in Alexandria) last week and found it shockingly undrinkable. Hopefully I got a corked bottle.
I typically crave Malbec - Imagery Vineyards by Beringer (Sonoma County) makes an unforgtettable Malbec.

Posted by: winewhiner, Feb 22, 2008 12:00:02 PM

I had this wine last night, I picked it up at Barrell House Liquors on 14th and Rhode Island. Very good.

Posted by: wine girl, Feb 22, 2008 07:11:49 AM

Do you know a specific local store that carries this malbec?

Posted by: Jacqueline, Feb 21, 2008 12:48:53 PM

Post a comment

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.