IF YOU’RE a follower of fashion, it is very likely that you have bought Argentinian Malbec.
UK sales of Malbec went up 33% in 2011 compared with 2010; it seems we can’t get enough of the deep red, robust, spicy-edged wine.
Gray Simpson, manager of the Heswall branch of Corks Out – the newly-crowned Independent Spirit Retailer in the Drinks Retailing Awards 2012 – said: “Argentina has so much more to offer than the feisty Malbec. It is also such great value for money at the moment.”
The region around Mendoza accounts for around 70% of Argentina’s wine production. One of them is Trivento; a giant winery, created in 1996, which covers 1,300 hectares and produces 30 million litres.
At Corks Out last week my tastebuds tangoed around Trivento Brut Nature (£9.99), right, a gently fresh sparkling wine. Minimal and pure, it would be good on its own as an aperitif but has enough sweetness to match with perhaps a fruit cocktail.
Trivento Tribu Viognier (£6.99) is the off-side of dry and its notes of apricots, honeysuckle and peach would make it perfect alongside Thai cuisine; and it has enough acidity to keep it constantly fresh.
I wasn’t sure about Trivento Golden Reserve Chardonnay, (£13.95). I think if it became companions with a good steak it would be perfect, but its Andean minerality was not to my taste. But isn’t this what makes wine so enigmatic; others in our little glass-clasped tasting band enjoyed its buttery creaminess.
Trivento’s Golden Reserve Malbec (£13.95) was brick-red and boasted of toasty bread, vanilla, leather, and silky tannins.
On a smaller scale, the Pulenta Estate winery is a mere 135 hectares, but at 980 metres above sea level it enjoys an extraordinary climate. Pulenta La Flor Malbec Rose (£10.50) was packed with freshness garnered from the slopes. Clean, crisp and vibrant with crushed raspberries and strawberries, it would be great with barbecued food, suggests Gray. Oh, roll on summer.
Pascual Toso Merlot (£9.95) is a lovely mix of plums and spices. Pascual Toso was established by an Italian in the late 1880s and in recent years has brought in American Paul Hobbs as a consultant. A beautifully soft entry-level wine, it has round tannins with a sweet smoky finish.
For me, all that was missing for a completely selfish comfort hit, was a roaring fire and a snoozing Labrador to stroke.
Also in my glass this week ... I am so grateful for the ladies in Asda’s Bootle store for helping me track down Mayu Carmenere Syrah Rose (£4.98). It is made in the Elqui Valley, Chile’s most northerly vineyards, which is blessed with more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Wine maker Giorgio Flessati has produced an elegant pink rose of concentrated strawberry juiciness, which was the jewel in the crown of an evening with best friends and a girlie music-of-the-1980s soundtrack.
Also on my plate this week ... I made a tagine by mingling my favourite spice blend of the moment, ras el hanout, with lamb, sweet potato and dates; then poured a glass of Rioja Tinto, Vina Gala (£5.49, Co-op stores).
This excellent-value raspberry-and-spice wine is slightly smoky and married well with the steaming tagine.
