Maria’s Favorite Wines
Malbec
The Athletic Ms. Argentina
Meet Maria, Ms. Argentina. She considers herself a true Argentinian, even though she is originally from France. She loves warm, sunny weather, plays lots of outdoor sports, and developed a muscular build. She gets quite intense when she's playing sports, but cheerful otherwise. She loves to dress in deep purple with magenta-colored earrings.
In wine terms? Maria is Malbec, one of Argentina's most beloved red wines and a natural match for anything off the grill.
Malbec actually started out in France, but it found its true home when it crossed the Atlantic to Mendoza back in 1868.
Expect a full-bodied wine with soft, easygoing tannins. In the glass, Malbec is deep and opaque, with a signature magenta rim. You'll pick up plum and blackberry, often with a touch of cocoa, vanilla, and sweet tobacco from time spent in oak.
Argentina, especially the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza and the Uco Valley, is Maria's true home, though Malbec's roots trace back to Cahors in southwest France.
It's usually bottled on its own, though it's sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot for extra structure.
Now let's find you some bottles she'd actually approve of.
Maria's Top Picks
We picked bottles from Maria's homeland and beyond. All available on Straits Wine Singapore and Paneco.com. Click any wine name to shop it.
1. For a casual weeknight
Altos Las Hormigas : Malbec Clásico 2021
Mendoza, Argentina | $39 / bottle
Maria says: "This one is certified organic and so easygoing. Ripe black cherry, blackcurrant, and a touch of pepper and earthiness, rated 3.8 out of 5 on Vivino plus 91 points from James Suckling. An easy pour on any day, no special occasion required."
Pairs with: Grilled steak, burgers, or a simple pasta with red sauce
2. For an easy weekend red
Terrazas de los Andes : Reserva Malbec 2023
Luján de Cuyo, Argentina | $45 / bottle
Maria says: "Terrazas de los Andes sits right at the foot of the Andes, and you can taste the altitude. Blackberry, mulberry, and savory herb with a silky, well-rounded finish, rated 3.9 out of 5 on Vivino and 92 points from James Suckling. This is the bottle you open when the weekend finally arrives."
Pairs with: Roast lamb, grilled portobello mushrooms, or aged cheddar
3. For great value-for-money
Mendoza, Argentina | $45 / bottle
Maria says: "Four generations of the Catena family have worked these high-altitude vineyards, and it shows. Ripe blackcurrant, mocha, and clove, with a long finish of sweet black and blue fruit. Rated 4.0 out of 5 on Vivino, with 90 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Serious quality without the serious price tag."
Pairs with: Grilled chorizo, empanadas, or a hard aged cheese
4. To serve at a dinner party
Uco Valley, Argentina | $49 / bottle
Maria says: "This comes from Los Chacayes, a rocky, sandy patch of the Uco Valley that I love. Blackberry and violets on the nose, firm tannins, and a long finish, rated 3.9 out of 5 on Vivino. It's made by Susana Balbo, Argentina's first female winemaker and one of its most respected. Serve it with some grilled short ribs, and watch it disappear."
Pairs with: Grilled short ribs, mushroom risotto, or a charcuterie board
5. For the Malbec explorer
BenMarco : Sin Límites Orgánico Malbec 2020
Uco Valley, Argentina | $53 / bottle
Maria says: "Zero oak, just organically grown fruit, aged entirely in stainless steel so nothing gets in the way of the grape. Bright red fruit with fine, polished tannins, rated 3.8 out of 5 on Vivino, with James Suckling and Vinous both landing on 93 points. If you want to taste the real me with nothing else added, try this one."
Pairs with: Herb-roasted chicken, grilled vegetables, or soft goat cheese
6. For a special occasion
Catena Zapata : Angélica Zapata Malbec Alta 2018
Mendoza, Argentina | $70 / bottle
Maria says: "Now we're celebrating. This is a blend of five of Catena's best vineyard lots, each one contributing something different: ripe plum from one, black pepper and clove from another, violets from a third. Wonderfully complex. Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Vivino and 93 points from Decanter. Save it for a special night."
Pairs with: Grilled ribeye, wild mushroom risotto, or dark chocolate
Malbec Cheat Sheet
| Body | Full-bodied |
| Color | Deep, opaque purple with a signature magenta rim |
| Tasting notes | Plum, blackberry, cocoa, vanilla, sweet tobacco |
| Serve at | 15–20°C |
| Best with | Steak, lamb, burgers, hard cheeses |
| Avoid with | Delicate white fish, light salads, very spicy dishes |
| Glass type | Universal wine glass, or a Bordeaux glass for its tall, wide bowl |
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