6 marvellous malbecs to salute World Malbec Day

Fragrant, fruity, velvety smooth and generous, Malbec is beloved for its sheer drinkability.

With origins in France, around 70% of the world’s supply is now produced in Argentina, making it the South American country’s national wine.

With World Malbec Day (April 17) coming up, now’s the perfect opportunity to pour a glass or two – here’s what to snap up…

1. Suelo Malbec 2024, Mendoza, Argentina, £7.99, Lidl in-store

Easy drinking and lots of fun, it’s clearly evident why Lidl’s master of wine awarded this moreish malbec 89 points. The wine opens up with plummy aromas, and is packed with dark-berry fruits, ripe plums and cassis; finishing smooth with a good depth of flavour.

2. Graffigna AR Malbec 2024, Argentina, £8.50, Morrisons

Approachable and delightfully aromatic with scents of cherries and brambly fruits, similar flavours unfold with tiers of dark cherry fruit, strawberry and hints of blackberry; silky smooth with sweet notes on the lingering finish, this one’s a keeper.

3. Finca Lalande Organic Malbec 2024, Mendoza, Argentina, £12, Waitrose

Polished, smooth and concentrated, this is another top drop which more than delivers; influential wine critic James Suckling awarded it 91 points. A plush bouquet of spiced blackberry, blackcurrant and dark cherry aromas lead to a rich, smooth palate; everything melds seamlessly together with delicious depth of flavour.

4. Norton Winemaker’s Reserve Malbec 2024, Mendoza, Argentina, £15, Waitrose

In a word: Sumptuous. A real beauty from this top-notch producer, this one’s loaded with rich, brambly fruits, and cloaks the palate with a forest floor of harmonious dark fruits; hint of soft spice and vanilla, with violet-scented fruit taking a front seat, and concentrated, lingering finish.

5. TTD Morador Malbec 2024, Mendoza, Argentina, £10.50, (£8.75 with Nectar), Sainsbury’s

An impressive own-label, award-winning producer La Casa del Rey are behind this violet-scented charmer. Gorgeous from word go, it’s brimming with fragrant dark fruits, hints of blackcurrant and damson; fruity and fresh with good structure, with silky smooth tannins rounding off the finish.

6. Zuccardi Poligonos Paraje Altamira Malbec 2023, Valle de Uco, Argentina, £26, (£23.24 with Nectar), Sainsbury’s

A multi-medal winning wine, and a notch up the scale, this is more of a complex, savoury style from one of Argentina’s most famous wineries – and is the winner of the World’s Best Vineyard three consecutive times. Look forward to vivid violet aromas and delightful combination of black-fruit flavours, cherries, plums and wild herbs; hint of minerality and fine tannins. Elegant and a wine to swoon over. Bring on a steak!