(Originally published December 2005)

Malbec is a grape that’s getting some good buzz these days. Once an important blending grape in Bordeaux, Malbec had all but vanished from the wine scene until Argentina got hold of it in the last couple of decades. These days, Argentina’s Malbecs are making a run for best bargain reds – with their lush blueberry and blackberry fruit, chocolatey accents, and supple tannins.

We’re hearing more consumer interest and applause for these lipsmacking reds – great with just about anything off the grill, from hamburgers to pork chops to beef and game.

A fun Malbec tasting for winter can be as simple as a big pot of your favorite chili, warm cornbread, and a lineup of Malbecs. We’ve included a few “high end” bottles, but feel free to take full advantage of the slew of value priced Malbecs on the shelves these days.

Here are two of our favorite chili recipes – make either (or both!) the day before you plan on serving them. They taste even better the second day!

Chicken & White Bean Chili – click here for recipe!

Classic Texas Chili
We don’t like beans in our beef chili – and don’t entirely trust people who do! Here’s our version of old fashioned Texas chili. Serves 6.

2 tablespoons olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 onions, diced
1½ pounds lean ground beef
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons good quality red chili powder
8 ounces canned Roma tomatoes, drained
½ cup tomato paste
½ cup beef stock
8 ounces Negro Modello or other dark ale
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin

Garnishes (use any, all, or none!)
chopped cilantro
chopped onion or scallions
grated Cheddar cheese
Fritos™
sour cream
Tabasco™

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot. Add garlic and onions and sauté over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, until starting to become translucent. Add the ground beef and continue to cook for 7-8 minutes, until beef is thoroughly browned. Season with salt, pepper and chili powder, stir well and cook for another 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, beer, vinegar and cumin, and stir well, breaking up tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, then turn down heat to low and cook, covered, for 45-60 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.

The Wines:

Aleph 2002 Malbec Mendoza ($20). Racy red berry and plum fruit flavors are accented with toasty oak, baking spices, and a touch of candied orange rind. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years.

Bodega Catena Zapata 2004 Malbec Mendoza Alamos ($10). Jammy black cherry fruit is accented with warm spices, vanilla bean and toasty oak. Simple but tasty, and a great way to spend ten bucks. Ready to drink now.

Bodega Catena Zapata 2002 Malbec Mendoza Alta ($45). Easily the most expensive Malbec we’ve ever tasted, but darn good. Smooth and elegant, with smoky blueberry, blackberry and plum fruit balanced with espresso and toast. Long, focused finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years.

Bodegas Escorihuela 2004 Malbec Mendoza Don Miguel Gascón ($13). Absolutely delicious, with aromatic, lush blueberry and juicy blackberry fruit laced with earthy vanilla bean and bittersweet chocolate accents. Long, fruity finish. Ready to drink now.

Bodegas Escorihuela 2004 Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon Agrelo High Altitude ($10). Deep, chocolatey aromas introduce black plum jam and fresh blackberry fruit, with appealing smoothness and lipsmacking finish. A great value — even the bottle is heavy and impressive. (Your guests will never suspect the bargain price!) Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 10/05)

Bodegas Terrazas de los Andes 2004 Malbec Mendoza ($10). We’ve liked this wine in the past and still think it’s a great bargain. Concentrated blackberry and cherry flavors show some oomph, with leather and earthy notes. Picks up creamy chocolate notes on the fruity finish. Ready to drink now.

Domaine Jean Bousquet 2004 Malbec Tupungato ($11). Ripe and fruity, with toasty oak accenting pretty black plum and raspberry fruit, finishing with a wave of milk chocolate. Ready to drink now.

Familia Rutini 2004 Malbec Tupungato Trumpeter ($9). Pretty plum and raspberry fruit pick up creamy, toasty vanilla on the finish. Simple but appealing. Ready to drink now.

Familia Rutini 2003 Malbec La Consulta Felipe Rutini ($20). Plush blackberry and cherry fruit picks up a subtle earthy note on the generous finish, along with spicy dark chocolate. Very versatile with food. Ready to drink now.

Graffigna 2004 Malbec San Juan ($10). Slurpable plum, blueberry and dashes of mocha and spice. Easy to like, and a good value. Ready to drink now.

Graffigna 2003 Malbec Pedernal Valley G ($17). Ripe and concentrated, with black cherry and plum, spicy dark chocolate, and fresh herbal notes. Nicely balanced, with a generous finish. Ready to drink now.

Luca 2001 Malbec Altos de Mendoza ($37). A pretty, elegant Malbec, with focused blackberry and plum fruit layered with toasty oak, nutmeg and mocha notes. Moderate finish. Ready to drink now.

MonteLomas 2003 Malbec Mendoza ($12). Earthy version here, with ripe blueberry and currant flavors accented with warm spices and dark chocolate. Big tannic finish. Needs food. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years.

Ricardo Santos 2003 Malbec Mendoza La Madras Vineyard ($18). Beefy blackberry and cherry fruit is laced with aromatic coffee and dark chocolate notes that linger on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years.