Malbec has earned its place as one of the ultimate food wines. With its deep colour, rich fruit, smooth tannins, and bold structure, it’s a dream pairing for a whole host of dishes. But while we all know Malbec and steak is a match made in heaven, there’s so much more this versatile grape can do. Let’s explore some classic and some slightly unexpected food pairings, along with the best styles of Malbec to use for each!
Classic Malbec Pairings
1. Steak & Argentinian Malbec
We have to start here because Malbec and steak is iconic. A bold, high-altitude Argentinian Malbec, like Cadus Tupungato Malbec, has the ripe black fruit, firm tannins, and structure to cut through the richness of a juicy ribeye or sirloin. The natural acidity in Malbec also helps balance the fattiness, making every bite and sip even more satisfying.
Try: Cadus Tupungato Malbec for a powerful, structured pairing.
2. Lamb & French Malbec
For something a little more elegant, French Malbec tends to be a little more earthy and paired back, with dark fruit, spice, and an almost savoury quality that pairs beautifully with roast lamb, lamb shanks, or slow-cooked lamb stew.
Try: Les Volets Malbec for a more restrained, old-world take.
3. BBQ & Smoky Malbecs
Malbec’s smoky, juicy qualities make it a great match for anything grilled or barbecued. Whether it’s BBQ ribs, flame-grilled burgers, or even smoked brisket, a Malbec with a touch of oak and spice will work wonders. Look for a fruity option or something which has a velvety texture and a hint of vanilla from oak ageing.
Try: Kaiken Classico Malbec for a smooth, smoky pairing.
Curveball Malbec Pairings
4. Spicy Dishes & Juicy Malbec
You might not think to pair Malbec with spice, but a fruit-forward, unoaked Malbec can be a great match for dishes like spicy beef tacos, Mexican mole, or even a rich Indian curry. The trick is to pick a softer, juicier Malbec with less tannin - something like Here & There Malbec, which has lots of ripe black fruit and a smooth mouthfeel.
Try: Here & There Malbec for a more approachable, spice-friendly option.
5. Blue Cheese & Bold Malbec
If you love a rich, salty blue cheese, you need a Malbec with bold fruit and a touch of sweetness to balance it out. A lovely, ripe Malbec, like Pablo y Walter has the power and plush fruit to complement the intense, salty notes of cheeses like Stilton, Gorgonzola, or Roquefort.
Try: Pablo y Walter for a decadent cheese night.
6. Dark Chocolate & Malbec
Yes, Malbec and chocolate! A Malbec with rich, ripe fruit and hints of cocoa or vanilla can be an amazing match for dark chocolate desserts. Look for something with plush tannins and a bit of sweetness, like Don Nicanor from Nieto Senetiner. The combination of dark fruit, spice, and a hint of oak mirrors the bitterness of high-quality dark chocolate perfectly.
Try: Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor for a rich, indulgent pairing.
Remember not all Malbecs are the same! When pairing with food, think about the style:
Big & Bold (e.g. Argentinian Malbecs) – Best for steak, BBQ, and rich meats.
Earthy & Elegant (e.g. French Malbecs) – Perfect for lamb, game, and rustic dishes.
Soft & Juicy (e.g. unoaked, fruit-driven Malbecs) – Great for spice, tacos, and casual meals.
Ripe & Smooth (e.g. Australian/Chilean Malbecs) – Ideal for cheese and chocolate pairings.
At Hattersley Wines, we’ve got Malbecs to suit every style and occasion. Pop into the shop or browse our range online to find your perfect bottle! And if you’ve discovered a surprising Malbec pairing, we’d love to hear about it - drop us a comment or tag us on social media.
Cheers to Malbec Madness!
Classic Malbec Pairings
1. Steak & Argentinian Malbec
We have to start here because Malbec and steak is iconic. A bold, high-altitude Argentinian Malbec, like Cadus Tupungato Malbec, has the ripe black fruit, firm tannins, and structure to cut through the richness of a juicy ribeye or sirloin. The natural acidity in Malbec also helps balance the fattiness, making every bite and sip even more satisfying.
Try: Cadus Tupungato Malbec for a powerful, structured pairing.
2. Lamb & French Malbec
For something a little more elegant, French Malbec tends to be a little more earthy and paired back, with dark fruit, spice, and an almost savoury quality that pairs beautifully with roast lamb, lamb shanks, or slow-cooked lamb stew.
Try: Les Volets Malbec for a more restrained, old-world take.
3. BBQ & Smoky Malbecs
Malbec’s smoky, juicy qualities make it a great match for anything grilled or barbecued. Whether it’s BBQ ribs, flame-grilled burgers, or even smoked brisket, a Malbec with a touch of oak and spice will work wonders. Look for a fruity option or something which has a velvety texture and a hint of vanilla from oak ageing.
Try: Kaiken Classico Malbec for a smooth, smoky pairing.
Curveball Malbec Pairings
4. Spicy Dishes & Juicy Malbec
You might not think to pair Malbec with spice, but a fruit-forward, unoaked Malbec can be a great match for dishes like spicy beef tacos, Mexican mole, or even a rich Indian curry. The trick is to pick a softer, juicier Malbec with less tannin - something like Here & There Malbec, which has lots of ripe black fruit and a smooth mouthfeel.
Try: Here & There Malbec for a more approachable, spice-friendly option.
5. Blue Cheese & Bold Malbec
If you love a rich, salty blue cheese, you need a Malbec with bold fruit and a touch of sweetness to balance it out. A lovely, ripe Malbec, like Pablo y Walter has the power and plush fruit to complement the intense, salty notes of cheeses like Stilton, Gorgonzola, or Roquefort.
Try: Pablo y Walter for a decadent cheese night.
6. Dark Chocolate & Malbec
Yes, Malbec and chocolate! A Malbec with rich, ripe fruit and hints of cocoa or vanilla can be an amazing match for dark chocolate desserts. Look for something with plush tannins and a bit of sweetness, like Don Nicanor from Nieto Senetiner. The combination of dark fruit, spice, and a hint of oak mirrors the bitterness of high-quality dark chocolate perfectly.
Try: Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor for a rich, indulgent pairing.
Remember not all Malbecs are the same! When pairing with food, think about the style:
Big & Bold (e.g. Argentinian Malbecs) – Best for steak, BBQ, and rich meats.
Earthy & Elegant (e.g. French Malbecs) – Perfect for lamb, game, and rustic dishes.
Soft & Juicy (e.g. unoaked, fruit-driven Malbecs) – Great for spice, tacos, and casual meals.
Ripe & Smooth (e.g. Australian/Chilean Malbecs) – Ideal for cheese and chocolate pairings.
At Hattersley Wines, we’ve got Malbecs to suit every style and occasion. Pop into the shop or browse our range online to find your perfect bottle! And if you’ve discovered a surprising Malbec pairing, we’d love to hear about it - drop us a comment or tag us on social media.
Cheers to Malbec Madness!
