May Malbec Tide You Over (Until the Exam is Done!)

I'm gonna level with you: I don't like to put up half-assed posts. I like to give them some thought and either:

1) Teach you something interesting

2) Make you laugh

Hopefully, both! After a day of analyzing market data reports, it's amazing how knowing you educated and/or entertained someone- even one person- can bring you back to levity. This is why I strive to bring good content to the table everytime I post, and why I cry myself to sleep in the fetal position every time I slap something on the page without effort (see my previous post, awesomeness of the picture notwithstanding).

However, after my review session for the imminent Certified Specialist of Wine Exam (culminating 18 classroom hours and 12 weeks of study), my confidence has been a little shaken. So, admittedly, I'll be focusing much more on studying this week, and need to take off the blogging cap, which I imagine- for no particular reason- looks like barbershop quartet hat.

Tonight, I was focusing on Argentina. As many of you know, one of the grapes that has really taken off in Argentina is Malbec. In fact, more Malbec is planted in Argentina than anywhere else in the world. If you looking for a good one, I'm partial to Catena (Catena Alta when the money tree is in bloom) and BenMarco; both of which can be found in many retailers. These wines are big and ripe, with great cocoa/coffee and dark fruit flavors, high acidity, and good tannic structure.

But, did you know that Malbec is originally from France (surprise, surprise)? It's been an integral, but not major part, to many Bordeaux blends, and has a home in the region of Cahors, where it's called "Côt" (pronounced like "cut"). And- what do you know?- I happened to be drinking a Cahors tonight, made from the Malbec grape, which has flourished in Argentina, also which I happen to be studying at this moment! Surely, I planned it that way.

Okay, I didn't. I'm not that organized or clever. But I do think I hear The Police playing "Synchronicity" somewhere in the background.

Now, remember how I hoped you would learn something. Let's assume you did, because the comedy-level of this post is about on par with a pre-vasectomy testicular shaving. Anyway, I suggest that the next time you want to drink a Malbec (and everyone seems to be these days), try one from Cahors. The label won't say "Malbec" on it- it'll just say "Cahors"- but you'll know it's Malbec, because you are now smarter. If you're looking for one to try, how 'bout this one:

Okay, sorry I couldn't get Ansel Adams to take the freakin' picture. I'm getting a new camera. Give me a break.

2006 Marquis Rocadour Cahors

Price: $12.99 at Total Wine & More

100% Malbec, 12.5% Alcohol by Volume

Nose: Blackberries, leather, mocha, and some strawberries. After it's sat out for a while, the initially tight nose has really opened, and I'm getting a lot more of the berries, plus some nice mint and a hint of blueberry

Taste: Good acidity (suggesting it'd be good with food), really tart; perhaps some not-quite-ripe plum, and definitely some tart raspberries. The finish shows a nice tannin structure that is balanced with the acid. I also get a little strawberry cream, then coffee on the finish.

Food Pairing: Okay, it's not profound, but I think this would kill with a nice aged N.Y. Strip. Probably even better with grilled lamb chops.

Music Pairing: Because it started off slow, but really hit its stride after some time, drink this while listening to "Green Grass and High Tides" by The Outlaws. If you disagree, I'm just starting out with this "wine/music" pairing thing, and welcome your suggestions.

So, I hope this post showed some effort, and either educated or entertained. Unfortunately, it will be the last until next week. In the meantime, I've got to go back to the wine-mines and keep chipping away. Hopefully, next time I talk to you, I will be a CSW!

Until then, Cheers, Sláinte, Salud, Prost, Skål, Konbe, and Kampai!