Buying in the UK: Malbecs part 2

Still not able to get to France as restrictions are getting tougher. I urgently need to help my mother out and collect her when she arrives at Paris CDG airport middle of April and drive her home. Not sure if that is possible, but if it is, I will stop off in Boulogne on the way back, and buy some French wine. For now still buying in the UK. And still looking at Malbecs as a lot of people I know say this grape is one of their favourite red wines.

A reminder from last month on the Vinabla wines. (I made an error on the images of the wine bottles, corrected now). Vinabla are an Argentinian vineyard and they do some very nice wines. There really good wines have gold foil over the cork. They can be £10 or more, but look for deals on these. Worth buying if you can get for £6 or £7. Maybe not at £10. Some of their wines have red foil. I would give these a miss as there are better Argentinian Mablecs that you can buy for less. I will be looking at two of these today. Reviewed just by me.

Alzar

• Argentinian Malbec
• £7.25 at Morrisons, on offer at 2 bottles for £10

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Aroma: Quite strong but not overpowering. with rich, cherry tones

Taste: A good deep full-bodied flavour. Rich and fruity. A slight sourness, and not very smooth. But with bite and body that I like.

Paul (Me)

Gran Montana

• Argentinian Malbec
• £7.75 at Morrisons,

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Aroma: Very nice, strong bouquet, chocolate cherry aromas.

Taste: Spicy. Now I know that a lot of people write this in wine descriptions, but this one really is. Its spiciness was the main feature. It went well with beef and black bean sauce and noodles. Rich and full bodied, but with a slight sourness.

Paul (Me)

Review

If I am in Morrisons, low on red wine, and see the Alzar Malbec on offer of 2 bottles for £10, I will buy. Not the smoothest or elegant of wines, but very good value at £5 a bottle, a decent full bodied wine. The Gran Montana had a bit more elegance and spicy flavours. Maybe a bit too spicy. I will keep it in mind for rich meat dishes Both were better than the ‘red foil’ Vinabla wine at £8. And interesting to see that both have ‘Mendoza’ printed on the label. This is largest and most renowned wine region in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for approximately 70% of the country’s total annual wine production. You learn something new every day (or on this blog, once a month).