All About Grapes

Which grape do you prefer? Malbec and Chianti are both exquisite

red grapes that have similarities and major differences. Chianti is a

very popular grape in Italy, growing in regions like Tuscany. It dates

back to around the 13th century. Malbec, on the other hand,

originated from the Bordeaux region of France. Because of the

harsh climate, Argentina was able to save Malbec grapes by

planting them in regions all over the country. Argentina now

accounts for 75% of all Malbec grapes in the world.

To Blend or Not to Blend

Chianti is a great standalone wine but

can easily be blended with

Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Merlot, or

Cabernet Sauvignon. Malbec grapes

are very rarely used to make wine just

out of Malbec. It is a very common

blending grape. It is blended with

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Type of Taste: Malbec

The taste of Malbec depends

on where the grape grew.

When it grows in cool

climates, it tends to taste like

black cherry and raspberry. In

warmer climates, Malbec

tastes more like plums and

blackberries. Its acidity and

tannin are medium.

Type of Taste: Chianti

 Chianti brings aromas and flavors of cherry and roses.

It has a medium to high acidity and medium tannins. In

order to bring about the best flavors, the ideal climate

for Chianti is in slightly cooler temperatures.

Food Pairings: Malbec

Malbec is ideally paired up with leaner

red meats and dark poultry. It also

tastes amazing with soft to semi-firm

cheeses, including goat’s milk

cheeses. Mushrooms and kale also

compliment this wine well.

Food Pairings: Chianti

Chianti can be paired chicken,

beef, and tomato sauce. Italian

foods are perfect. A grilled

eggplant or pasta primavera will

bring about the deliciousness of

the Chianti wine. Mozzarella and

Parmesan are also great

cheeses to pair it with.

Aging

Some wine takes longer to age than others. Chianti can

take anywhere from 0-5 years to age. Malbec grapes

from France don’t need to age for very long, but those

from Argentina can age for over a decade.

We hope you have enjoyed

this presentation on Malbec

vs. Chianti. For information on

the benefits of wine and

resveratrol, visit us at

Vine Vera Cosmetics.