Happy Malbec World Day! Celebrate April 17 with a Malbec from Argentina, France, BC or anywhere!

Today is Malbec World Day - a day to celebrate the Malbec grape that makes delicious wines in countries around the globe.

But it is Argentina that invented Malbec World Day to help promote its flagship varietal, a grape that thrives in South America.

There are many good and great Malbecs available in British Columbia - pick one out for tonight's meal or just a glass.

Personally, I'm going to open one of my favourites - the 2011 Vina Cobos Bramare Malbec from the Lujan de Cuyo appellation.  It is rated 91 points by the Wine Spectator and 90 by Robert Parker.

And it is a premium wine - BC Liquor Stores sell it for $39.19 before taxes - so about $45.  There are 370 bottles available in 30 stores across BC and you may also find it in private wine stores.

Cinnamon and smoke, cassis and cherry, blueberry - loads of flavour!

It is a fantastic wine and if you try it I believe you will completely agree with me that it is special.

But you can celebrate Malbec World Day with much more modestly priced Malbecs and still be very happy indeed.  

Norton's Malbec Reserva 2011 from Mendoza in Argentina is still in some BC Liquor Stores and on sale for $15.69 plus taxes - about $20 and is on the Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2013 - ranked 92 points!  And if the 2012 is on the shelf, it's rated 90 points - so you're still doing really well.

Malbec is to me the quintessential steak wine - but it is very flexible and goes with many foods - meat or vegetarian.

So crack open a Malbec and celebrate - tonight or anytime!

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