Lets talk Malbec! This wine can be found in most growing regions, but the two most popular areas are Argentina (Medoza), and France (Cahors). So what better way to compare the regions than to taste them both. First, let me talk a bit about the Malbec grape variety. This is a black grape/purple grape; your choice of words. This grape variety needs a lot of sun and heat to reach its best. Malbec is usually medium to full bodied, dry and red. It has high tannins and alcohol. The acidity in this wine can be quite high also. It has flavours of ripe fruits from black cherry to plums, it may have some earth, smoke and pepper (black and white).
I have attached a map of both growing regions Cahors (map from frenchtree.com) and Argentina (map from homeswineschool.com). Tasting these two Malbecs' I found a very distinct difference in both. (see my tasting notes below)
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| Cahors Wine Region |
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| Argentina Wine Region |
Trivento - Golden Reserve Malbec 2009
Received this wine as a gift from my sister-in-law who was visiting from Ontario.
Felt like a glass of Malbec tonight, and there it was waiting to be opened.
Colour - Garnet Red; Nose - Very aromatic with Red Fruits,. Cherry, Vanilla spice, toasted oak; Palate - Black Cherry, bitter notes of espresso with soft tannins and a nice long finish. I enjoyed this wine, and I'm not saying this because my sisiter-in-law gave it to me. This is a great Malbec from Argentina. I could not price this Malbec as the BC Liqour store only list the 2008.
The price for the 2008 is $22.99 BC Liquor Stores - Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec. If you can find the 2009 I highly recommend it.
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| Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec |
Croiz Du Mayne 2009 - Cahors
This is a blend of Malbec (90%) and Merlot (10%) with 13.7% alcohol. It is said that Cahors wines are "black ink". This wine was far from black ink. It was more an intense red; Nose - Red fruit, oak and some earth; Palate -Red fruit, bitter chocolate, sour cherry with a short finish and soft tannins. Once I let the wine sit for a while, the profile changed with more tannins and more intense flavours so I recommend decanting this wine. For $19.95 I was not a fan, I will put in the extra dollars to buy the Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec. You can say, I was spoiled with the Agrentine Malbec. If you want to give this wine a try you can find it at BC Liquor Stores - Croiz Du Mayne 2009 - Cahors
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| Croiz Du Mayne 2009 and Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Figs with Gorgonzola Cheese |
Grilled Prosciutto wrapped figs with Gorgonzola Cheese
6 Fresh Black Figs
12 - 2 x 6 inch Slices of Prosciutto,
3 Tablespoons Gorgonzola Cheese
1) Wash, dry and de-stem the figs
2) Cut figs in half
3) Use the back of a teaspoon to make a dent in the centre of the cut figs to hold the cheese
4) Place 1/2 a Tablespoon of Gorgonzola Cheese in the centre of the fig that has the dent
Repeat this for all the figs
5) Wrap each fig with one slice of the 2 x 6 inch prosciutto slice. Making sure the ends are folded in. Using a toothpick to hold the prosciutto on the fig
6) Pre-heat BBQ on high, once heated turn heat to medium.
7) Place Wrapped Figs on grill, and grill until crisp on side and turn figs until crisp. Makesure you watch these closely and do not lose the cheese.
8) Once Prosciutto is crisp remove from heat and serve immediately and ENJOY with a Malbec!
3 Tablespoons Gorgonzola Cheese
1) Wash, dry and de-stem the figs
2) Cut figs in half
3) Use the back of a teaspoon to make a dent in the centre of the cut figs to hold the cheese
4) Place 1/2 a Tablespoon of Gorgonzola Cheese in the centre of the fig that has the dent
Repeat this for all the figs
5) Wrap each fig with one slice of the 2 x 6 inch prosciutto slice. Making sure the ends are folded in. Using a toothpick to hold the prosciutto on the fig
6) Pre-heat BBQ on high, once heated turn heat to medium.
7) Place Wrapped Figs on grill, and grill until crisp on side and turn figs until crisp. Makesure you watch these closely and do not lose the cheese.
8) Once Prosciutto is crisp remove from heat and serve immediately and ENJOY with a Malbec!
Ciao!
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