Malbec Food Pairing
Malbec and steak is a match made in heaven, but this wine pairs perfectly with many other types of food. Hamburgers, BBQ and different types of cheese are all great food parings for Malbec. In this wine guide you will find out what kind of food pairs best with Argentina's most important grape variety.
Last updated January 27th 2023
Malbec is the star grape of Argentina. This juicy, bold red wine pairs lovely with many types of dishes. Most people know that it is a great wine to pair with steak, but Malbec pairs well with many other dishes. In fact, it is one of the few bold reds that pairs well with spicy dishes and some pungent cheeses. This wine guide recommends the best food pairings for Malbec.
About Malbec wine
Malbec is a bold red wine with characteristic herbaceous and fruity flavors. Its moderate tannins and good structure make it an excellent wine to pair with food. Malbec is often described as juicy and leafy. It has flavors of plum, dark berries, herbs and tobacco. Sometimes, it also tastes a little bit like chocolate. It has a short aftertaste, but a smokey finish.
Malbec is the most grown grape in Argentina, but it is also grown in Chile, France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Spain. It is common to distinguish between two different styles of Malbec:
- Malbec from Argentina is the style most people refer to when they talk about Malbec. It is a fruity and juicy red wine with flavors of plum, black berries, dark cherries, violet chocolate and herbs. When the wine is aged in oak, it has a characteristic smokey finish (often described as tobacco) and a deep purple color.
- Malbec from France is quite different. It does not express as much fruit as the Argentinian style does. Instead, it is savory with aromas often described as leather, tobacco black pepper, plum and “green”. The wine is sometimes described as “meaty”. It is often used in blends from the right bank of Bordeaux, together with Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Note: 84% of all the Malbec is grown in Argentina, making it very likely that you will be drinking the Argentinian style.
Malbec food pairing
Given that most bottles of Malbec come from Argentina, steak might be the obvious food pairing, but there are many more great pairings for Malbec. This wine is a versatile and food-friendly pairing partner with its black cherry and blackberry components, in combination with its chocolate and tobacco flavors. Its smokey finish makes it a great wine for grilled foods. The fruit pairs well with spicy sauces which makes it a good BBQ wine.
In short, when pairing Malbec with food you need to take into consideration the following characteristics of the wine:
- Medium high alcohol - pair it with bold flavors in the food.
- Medium high tannins - possible to pair with food rich in protein, such as meat and cheese
- Leafy aromas - great to pair with herbaceous and favorful dishes (pepper, cumin, sage, mint, garlic, cinnamon, smoked paprika and even some chilies)
- Smokey profile - great to pair with grilled or smoked dishes
The best serving temperature for Malbec is 17-19°C (63-66°F).
Malbec with meat
The classic pairing for a bottle of Malbec is steak, but it also pairs with other meats. Malbec paired with lamb with mint and herbs is an excellent choice. Malbec is an especially great wine for grilled meat and BBQ (including BBQ sauce!). The following meat dishes will be good food pairings for Malbec.
- Steak
- Hamburger (especially with melted cheese!)
- Barbecued lamb, beef or pork
- Lamb with mint and herbs
- Ribs
- Empanada with meat
Malbec with spicy foods
Malbec is one of few bold red wines that can be served with spicy food. The juicy and fruity flavors of Malbec make it a good wine for slightly spicy dishes. The food can only have a touch of spice, otherwise the wine will be overpowered and taste bitter.
- Chili con carne
- Beef burrito
- Fajitas
Tips! If your food is very spicy, choose a wine with a touch of sweetness to balance it.
Malbec with cheese
Pecorino is often mentioned as the best cheese for Malbec due to the salty and fruity combination. There are more good cheese pairings for Malbec, such as Provolone, Swiss alp cheeses (Comté, Gruyère) and - believe it or not - blue cheese. Malbec is one of few bold red wines that pairs well with blue cheese. This juicy, fruity wine balances the saltiness in the cheese which makes it a pleasant pairing.
Malbec with Vegetarian food
Malbec might not be the obvious pairing for vegetarian foods, but it can be surprisingly good. Any vegetarian BBQ (corn, vegetables, cheeses) will taste good with a smokey Malbec. Try it for yourself! Next time you put vegetarian food on the grill you should pair it with a Malbec wine.
Tips! To learn more about the best wine for vegetarian dishes, we recommend our wine guide for vegetarian food.
Malbec Snack Pairing
Malbec pairs well with heavier appetizers and snacks, such as:
- Any appetizer with meat
- Charcuterie (even spicy salami!)
- Tapas with grilled vegetables
- Fingers foods with garlic and herbs
Malbec with pasta
Malbec can also be a good wine pairing for pasta. Meaty pasta dishes, such as Spaghetti bolognese or pasta with meatballs, will pair well with Malbec. Pasta with salsiccia or other sausages will also be good pasta pairings for a bottle of Malbec.
Malbec and chocolate
Last, but not least, we recommend a Malbec and dessert pairing. Most people think that bold red wines don’t match with sweets and that is true in 99% of the cases. However, a fruity Malbec can be paired with a dark chocolate dessert if the dessert is not too sweet.
Tips! The wine should always be at least as sweet as the dessert.
Enjoy your bottle of Malbec!
