MARCH MALBEC MADNESS

“A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou beside me...and pretty soon, I’ll be fat, drunk, and in trouble.” - Alfred E. Neuman

Tonight was the Sommelier Guild of Atlanta’s March tasting, featuring wines produced from the Malbec grape.

Normally, Denny, the Grouchy Old Wino Cripple, writes these little affairs up, but he was off somewhere doing whatever it is that SRF­’s® do. Perhaps he is still recovering from his trip out to Texas to help Dash and Christina celebrate their official housewarming. Regardless, he was not present for a fine evening of Tasty, Winy Goodness...so it is up to me to provide the proper documentation.

What was on the menu this evening? Inquiring minds want to know...

Speaker’s Wine:
Zolo Torrontes 2006 (Argentina)

Flight #1:
Château Famaey 2002 (Cahors, France)
Sawbuck 2004 (California)
Bleasdale 2002 (Australia)
Bellevue “Tumara” 2002 (South Africa)

Accompanied by: Large duck salad with mixed greens, citrus dressing topped with duck confit

Flight #2:
Valdivieso Single Vineyard Reserva 2005 (Argentina)
Terrazas de los Andes Reserva 2004 (Argentina)
Norton Reserva 2004 (Argentina)
Catena 2004 (Argentina)

Accompanied by: Pork tenderloin medallions with fig demiglaze, potato gratin

Flight #3:
Maryhill Reserve 2002 (Washington State)
Nieto Senetiner “Cadus” 2002 (Argentina)
Viu Manent “Viu 1” 2004 (Chile)
Tikal “Amorio” 2005 (Argentina)

Accompanied by: New Zealand lamb lollipops with sheep milk Pecorino Romano risotto

My favorites were the Bleasdale and the Tikal, the Viu Manent running closely behind. But from a value standpoint, the Bleasdale takes the prize: at a retail price of $15, it’s half the price of the Tikal, and less than a third of the price of the Viu Manent.

The food? Duck confit and delicate little lamb chops are right up my alley. Everything rocked.