Focusing on grape variety only is like talking about what a piece of chicken tastes like without taking into account the entire periphery. Was it grilled? Poached? Roasted? Breast, legs, thighs? Was it marinated in molasses BBQ sauce or is it a version of chicken piccata? Oh, it’s a spicy Popeye’s chicken sandwich?

Last week I told you that Malbec is spicy, tangy, and punchy, like a donkey kick. This is generally true (especially compared to other familiar grapes like Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). However, what’s much more important in influencing the taste of wine is…

I have a soft spot in my heart for Malbec. Before I loved (or even liked) wine, I would frequent a wine/beer bar with a good friend of mine who was determined to get me to like wine. His favorite wine was Malbec. I remember him loving how it is so “spicy,” he said.