Some people drink only reds. Other people will only drink white. I can honestly say that I used to be that way. Since becoming a wine editor, I have tried to get out of the red rut and broaden my wine horizons and try other things.
I will go out on a limb here and make a prediction. Recently I found a Malbec that I can recommend to everyone. If you read my previous article I wrote about Malbec, Malbec Syrah , you know Malbec is originally from France and had its start as a varietal of Bordeaux. The root stock was taken to South America and planted in Chile and Argentina. The grapes flourished in this climate and have done very well. Because the grape and the resulting wine is relatively unknown in the US, prices for Malbec remain low compared to other wines of similar quality. Expect to find the price of Malbec between $7 and $30.
I first became aware of Malbec when I saw it was blended into other wines and I decided to do some research to see if it was available as a stand alone wine. It was and when I asked my wine retailer about it, she suggested I try Tilia; which I wrote about last March. The Wine Spectator magazine has over six pages of brands for Malbec so you should be able to find one where you live.
In my recent wine travels, I came across a nice wine that I think everyone would like. It is a Malbec - Rose. The name of the wine that I found was Chakana 2006 Malbec Rose. The vineyard is located in the Andes of Argentina. Because the region where the grapes are grown is in the foothills of the Andes, the sun is warm in the day time but the nights are cool. The elevation of the vineyard is at 950 meters above sea level or approx. 3,100 feet.
The wine itself is a very light red. It is not a pink rose wine like Lancers or Mateus. The taste is vibrant. It has a sweetness without being sugary. The nose has a berry smell and the first sip has a bold full flavor. It literally explodes in your mouth. It is not a grapey taste, though. You can read more about this wine at Chakana Malbec Rose .
You can take a look at the front label of this wine right here: Chakana 2006 and for a picture of the back label right here: Chakana 2006 Back Label . (On some PCs, if you click the label, it will enlarge the size of the picture.)
From the back label, " "Chakana" was the name given by the Indians to the Southern Cross constellation. It became a powerful sacred symbol with great importance in the protection of crops. The Chakana name is used by the winery to embody the spirit of the land which produces the wines." The 2007 vintage is now available and on the market. You can find it for $10 to $12.
In the case that you have a problem finding this particular wine, you could try the wine searcher at the boottom of this article or you might look for another Malbec Rose that I have tried recently, 2007 Dominio del Plata "Crios de Susana Balbo" Rosé of Malbec. Crios means offspring - specifically Susana and her two childen. The winemaker selected a word to give the idea that the Crios wines do not have the same high quality that her more expensive wines have. However, all of her wines get the same loving care and attention throughout the winemaking process. As you can see, the label has three interconnected hands which was an image inspired by a Mayan artifact. In Susana's case, the three hands would be hers and her two children. You will find it around $10 - $11.
You can take a look at the front label of this wine right here: Susana Balbo Rosé 2007 and for a picture of the back label right here: Susana Balbo Rosé 2007 . (On some PCs, if you click the label, it will enlarge the size of the picture.)
If you have always been a red wine drinker or a white wine drinker, why not break out of the mold this summer and try one of these wines. You may have found a new wine for your cellar.
Until next time, let me know what is on your mind, and how you are doing, O.K.?
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