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
Pop Up Wine Singapore doesn't carry a single-variety Malbec right now, so here's a blend where Malbec plays a big part. Available on Pop Up Wine Singapore. Click the wine name to shop it.
1. For a weekend barbecue
Corymbia : Tempranillo Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic) 2016
Swan Valley, Australia | $49 / bottle
Maria says: "Malbec isn't the only star here, but it plays a big part. Corymbia blends 58% Tempranillo with 30% Malbec and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon in Western Australia's Swan Valley. Plums, blueberries, cocoa and ripe tannins. Mike Bennie gave it 95 points for The Wine Front."
Pairs with: Grilled steak, lamb skewers, or empanadas
Taste her entire tribe
The Ambassadors Wine Box
Maria says: "My Gran Tomero Malbec is in here, with Zoey’s Zinfandel and Chike’s Chenin Blanc."
S$164 · Sale price
Price may change after the sale ends.
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 |
Meet Maria
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