Malbec

Aged Gouda's complex nutty, caramel-like sweetness with underlying salt crystals requires beverages that can match its intensity while complementing its richness. The concentrated fruit and subtle sweetness in bold red wines or fortified wines enhance the cheese's caramelized notes, while robust, malty beers with their own caramel undertones create harmonious flavor bridges.

Barbecue's smoky, savory characteristics with sweet and tangy sauce elements demand beverages that can stand up to these bold flavors. The recommended wines offer fruit-forward profiles with enough structure to complement the richness, while the suggested beer styles provide maltiness and complementary roasted notes that enhance rather than compete with the smokiness of the dish.

Beef empanadas feature savory ground beef typically seasoned with aromatics like onions, garlic, and spices, enclosed in a flaky pastry crust. The rich, umami qualities of the beef call for medium to full-bodied red wines with moderate tannins and complementary spice notes, while beers with malty sweetness and moderate body provide refreshing contrast to the savory filling and fried pastry.

Beef short ribs are typically slow-cooked to tender perfection, delivering rich, beefy flavors with substantial fat content and often featuring caramelized exterior notes. The intense umami character and substantial texture of this dish pairs beautifully with full-bodied red wines that have sufficient tannin structure to cut through the fat, while dark, malty beers complement the caramelized flavors and provide enough body to stand up to this hearty dish.

Beef stew features slow-cooked tender meat in a rich, savory gravy with root vegetables, creating deep umami flavors and a hearty texture. The dish's robust profile requires beverages with sufficient body and complexity to stand up to the concentrated flavors while offering complementary notes that enhance the stew's depth.

Beef tenderloin, with its tender texture and rich, buttery flavor profile, pairs wonderfully with full-bodied red wines that have firm tannins to cut through the meat's richness. The dish's luxurious mouthfeel also works beautifully with malty beers that offer caramel notes to complement the meat's natural sweetness while providing enough body to stand up to this substantial protein.

Braised beef, with its tender texture and deep, concentrated flavors developed through slow cooking, calls for beverages that can match its richness while providing complementary flavor notes. The tannins in red wines cut through the dish's fattiness, while the malty sweetness of the recommended beers echoes the caramelized elements that develop during the braising process.

Braised short ribs offer deep, savory flavors with tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef that's been slow-cooked to develop complex umami notes. The rich, concentrated sauce typically features reduced wine, aromatics, and often carries subtle notes of herbs, which creates a hearty dish that pairs beautifully with bold red wines and malty beers that can stand up to its intensity.

Burgers feature rich, savory beef patties often topped with umami elements like cheese, caramelized onions, and various condiments. The juicy, fatty nature of a burger calls for beverages with enough structure to cut through the richness while complementing the savory meat flavors. Both the recommended wines and beers provide enough body and flavor intensity to stand up to this hearty dish without overwhelming it.

Cassoulet is a hearty, slow-cooked French casserole containing meat (typically duck confit, pork sausages, and sometimes mutton), white beans, and aromatics. Its rich, savory flavors and substantial body call for beverages with equal weight and complexity that can stand up to the dish's fatty components while complementing its earthy, herb-infused profile.

Chili con carne features hearty beef in a rich, spiced tomato-based sauce with chiles, creating a bold dish with moderate to high heat and deep savory notes. The fruity intensity of Zinfandel or Malbec stands up to the spice while offering complementary dark fruit notes, while medium-bodied beers with caramel notes like Vienna Lager or Brown Ale provide refreshing contrast and help temper the heat.

Empanadas are versatile Latin American pastries that can be filled with various proteins, vegetables, or cheeses, offering a balance of savory pastry exterior with flavorful fillings. The recommended beverages complement the baked, savory qualities while providing enough acidity or carbonation to cut through the richness of the pastry.

Altos Las Hormigas (Spanish for 'the high ants') is one of the pioneers that helped put Argentine Malbec on the world wine map – and their Clasico bottling shows exactly why this grape and country fell madly in love with each other. Founded by Italian winemaker Alberto Antonini and partners in 1995, the winery focuses on expressing the unique terroir of Mendoza through minimal intervention winemaking. This Malbec strikes that perfect balance between fruit-forward accessibility and genuine complexity. It's not trying to be a powerhouse that knocks you over the head – instead, it offers layers of flavor that unfold gradually in the glass. The high-altitude vineyards provide natural acidity that keeps everything fresh despite the ripe fruit character. It's the kind of red that makes you crave a second glass before you've finished the first – dangerously drinkable but with enough depth to keep things interesting. Perfect for converting friends who think they only like white wine.

Argentina may be famous for its Malbec, but this blend from Belasco de Baquedano proves that Bonarda deserves just as much attention. The 'Llama' series celebrates Argentina's iconic Andean animal – a fitting symbol for wines that express the unique high-altitude terroir of Mendoza with such distinctive character. This blend combines old vine Bonarda (Argentina's second most planted red grape) with Malbec, creating a wine with remarkable depth and complexity. The 'old vine' designation is important here – these mature vines produce fewer grapes but with much more concentrated flavor. Belasco de Baquedano's vineyards sit at over 3,000 feet elevation, where intense sunlight and cool nights create perfect conditions for developing rich flavor while maintaining freshness. The result is a wine that offers immediate pleasure with its generous fruit but keeps you coming back to discover new layers of complexity. Perfect for those looking to explore beyond basic Malbec into Argentina's broader wine landscape.

Don Rodolfo's Malbec is a textbook example of why Argentina has become synonymous with this once-obscure French grape variety. Sourced from high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza, where intense sunlight and cool nights create the perfect conditions for developing rich flavor while maintaining freshness. This isn't one of those overly extracted fruit bombs that leaves your teeth purple for days – it's a well-balanced expression that shows what Argentine Malbec does best. The altitude gives the wine a freshness that keeps it from being heavy, while still delivering those luscious dark fruit flavors Malbec lovers crave. It's the wine equivalent of that friend who's always reliable, never disappointing, and somehow manages to get along with whatever food you're serving. At this price point, it's practically a crime not to keep a bottle or two on hand.

Los Bocheros Malbec captures everything that made Argentina famous for this French transplant grape – bold fruit, velvety texture, and impressive depth at a price that makes French producers weep. From high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza comes this crowd-pleasing red that delivers serious bang for the buck. The name 'Los Bocheros' refers to players of 'bochas' (similar to bocce ball) – a popular Argentine pastime that, like this wine, brings people together in celebration. What makes this Malbec stand out in a crowded field is its perfect balance between power and drinkability. There's plenty of that lush dark fruit Malbec lovers crave, but with enough structure to keep things interesting through the whole bottle. It's the kind of red that makes weeknight dinners feel special without requiring a special occasion budget. Pair it with anything from the grill for a foolproof combination.

Mary Taylor's collaboration with Odile Delpon brings us this authentic expression of Cahors – the original home of Malbec long before Argentina made the grape famous. This bottle represents the traditional 'Black Wine' style that has made this Southwest French region legendary among wine enthusiasts. Delpon's family has deep roots in Cahors, giving her an intimate understanding of how to express the region's unique terroir. While Argentine Malbec tends toward plush fruit, this French expression shows more structure, minerality, and savory complexity – a reflection of the region's limestone-clay soils and continental climate. Mary Taylor's commitment to highlighting authentic regional wines allows this genuine expression to reach wine lovers without corporate markup or marketing fluff. It's the perfect bottle for those looking to explore Malbec's French roots or simply enjoy a characterful red with remarkable depth and sense of place.

Sometimes two grapes are just better together – and this Malbec/Syrah blend from Passionate Del Mono proves it beautifully. It's like the wine equivalent of a power couple, combining Argentina's signature Malbec with the brooding intensity of Syrah. This Mendoza red brings together the best of both varietals: Malbec's juicy dark fruit and velvety texture with Syrah's peppery spice and structure. The 'Tinto' (meaning red in Spanish) is aptly named, as this wine doesn't hold back on flavor or character. It's the kind of bottle that makes you look like you know what you're doing when you bring it to a dinner party – which, after discovering this gem, you clearly do.

With a name that translates roughly to 'bone skin,' Pielihueso isn't trying to blend in with the crowd. This distinctive red blend from the Los Sauces vineyard in Mendoza showcases what happens when traditional Bordeaux varieties find their expression in Argentina's high-altitude terroir. The combination of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot creates a wine that's both familiar and surprising – recognizable components coming together to create something uniquely Argentine. Pielihueso represents the new wave of Argentine winemaking that looks beyond just Malbec to create wines with complexity and character. This is the kind of bottle that makes you reconsider what you think you know about South American wines – and at this price point, it's a risk well worth taking.

Malbec may be Argentina's signature red grape, but Zorzal proves it can make equally compelling rosé. Their Terroir Unico Rosé is crafted from high-altitude vineyards in the Gualtallary region of the Uco Valley, where intense sunlight and cool temperatures create perfect conditions for developing flavor while maintaining freshness. This isn't your grandmother's sweet blush wine – it's a serious, dry rosé that happens to be seriously enjoyable too. The high-elevation terroir gives this wine a distinctive mineral backbone that sets it apart from more one-dimensional rosés. Zorzal, founded by the Michelini brothers (some of Argentina's most innovative winemakers), focuses on minimal intervention to express the unique character of their vineyards. The result is a rosé that works year-round – substantial enough for a meal but refreshing enough for poolside sipping.