Malbec: what it tastes like and which to buy

Malbec is a dark, plummy red grape that makes smooth, fruit-forward wines, most often medium to full in body with soft tannins. If you want a red that works with grilled food and doesn't need much thought, start with the malbec at CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd in Westford, and read on for how to choose between bottles.

What does malbec taste like?

Malbec is known for dark fruit. Expect blackberry, plum and black cherry first, often with a violet or floral note, and sometimes cocoa, tobacco or a little black pepper behind the fruit. The color is deep, close to purple in the glass.

The body usually sits between medium and full. Tannins, the drying grip you feel on your gums, tend to be softer than in a young cabernet sauvignon, which is a big reason malbec has a reputation as an easy red to like.

Oak changes the picture. A malbec aged in oak can taste of vanilla, toast and spice on top of the fruit, while one with little or no oak tastes brighter and more purely fruity. Neither is better. It depends on whether you want something plush with a steak or something fresher for a weeknight.

Where does malbec come from, and does it matter?

The grape is French in origin and still grown in Cahors in southwest France, where it makes firmer, more structured wines. Today most people associate it with Argentina, especially Mendoza, where vineyards sit high in the foothills of the Andes.

Altitude matters because cool nights keep acidity in the grapes while sunny days ripen them fully. In general, malbec from higher vineyards tends to taste fresher and more floral, while malbec from warmer, lower sites leans riper and rounder.

You don't need to memorize any of this to buy well. If you like the jammy, smooth style, look for the fruit-forward bottles. If you want more structure and earthiness, ask us at the counter and we will point you to something that fits.

Which malbec should you pick at CBC Liquors?

We stock a range of malbec, and the quickest way to see it is the malbec category page, where you can browse what is in stock today. Here are some names to look for.

CATENA Malbec and Alamos Malbec are well-known names to start with if you are new to the grape. They give you a good sense of what a straightforward malbec tastes like, which makes them useful reference points before you try anything more specific.

If you want to compare tiers from a single producer, Zuccardi SERIES A MALBEC and Zuccardi SERIES Q MALBEC sit side by side, and tasting them one after the other is a good way to learn what you prefer. Antigal Uno Malbec and DOMAINE BOUSQUET Malbec round out the bottles worth a look.

If you are unsure, tell us what you usually drink and what you are cooking. We would rather help you land on a bottle you finish than one you leave on the counter.

What food goes with malbec?

Malbec's dark fruit and soft tannins make it a natural partner for grilled and roasted red meat. Steak, burgers, lamb, sausages and barbecue ribs all work, because the wine's fruit holds up to char and smoke without clashing.

It also suits food with some richness or spice. Think empanadas, braised short ribs, a mushroom-heavy pasta, or a pizza with sausage and peppers. Aged hard cheeses and cheddar are easy matches for a cheese board.

For lighter dishes, malbec can overwhelm. Delicate fish or a green salad usually calls for a white wine instead, and our white wine shelf covers that. If you are feeding a mixed table, a bottle of each is the easy answer.

How should you serve and store malbec?

Serve malbec slightly cooler than room temperature, around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. In a warm kitchen, twenty minutes in the fridge before opening takes the edge off and keeps the fruit from tasting heavy or boozy.

A younger, fuller malbec often benefits from being opened thirty minutes to an hour before you pour, or poured into a decanter or a wide jug. A little air softens the tannins and lets the aromas open up.

To store a bottle you are not opening right away, keep it on its side or upright in a cool, dark spot away from the stove and sunlight. Most malbec is made to be enjoyed within a few years of release, so there is no need to cellar it. Once opened, recork it and keep it in the fridge, and plan to finish it within a few days.

How is malbec different from cabernet sauvignon, merlot and red blends?

Compared with cabernet sauvignon, malbec is usually plusher and less tannic. Cabernet tends to be more structured, with firmer grip and notes of blackcurrant and cedar, and it often needs a rich dish to soften it. Malbec is more approachable on its own.

Merlot is the closest in softness, but it leans toward red plum and cherry, where malbec runs darker and more violet. If merlot feels a bit light for you, malbec is a natural step up in depth.

Malbec is also a common component of a red blend, where it adds color and dark fruit. If you want to explore more of the red shelf after malbec, our red wine category is the place to start, and Pinot Noir is the lighter end of the spectrum.

How do you get malbec from CBC Liquors in Westford?

You can walk into the shop at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on the same hours.

We also offer delivery and shipping. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. See our liquor delivery areas for the towns we reach, including Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton and Lowell.

The shop has 4,624 products in stock across 1,893 brands, and customers rate us 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 339 reviews. If you are choosing a gift or planning a dinner, our party planner is there to help you work out what to buy. Ask for a bottle by name or describe what you like, and we will help you find it.