La Patrie 2010 Malbec Cahors, France

The clocks go forward and the weather turns mild.  Shops hastily sweep their winter promotions off the end of the aisles and pack it with disposable barbeques, charcoal briquettes and firelighters.  Ah yes, summer is on it's way....Or maybe it is already here...maybe this is all we are going to get?  Who knows.

The offers of house parties and barbeques will be shortly on their way.  Are you going to turn up with a bottle of cheap Pinot Grigio that you put on the table and then disown, or that nice expensive bottle that will impress your friends but you get territorial over if anyone tries to pour a little for themselves?

The answer to both of those questions is no.  What you need is a bottle that doesn't melt plastic, either in price or by taste.  This little beauty steps up perfectly.

At £6 in Sainsbuy's, this French Malbec is superb quality.  The smell, once allowed to breathe for 20 or so minutes, is of christmas cake, not too overpowering but enough to invite you in for the night.  The taste is well rounded and there is no sharp tannic kick although these textures are ever present.  Oak and liquorice finish off the main taste although these are definitely secondary to the warming, smooth, fruity mouthful that first greets you.  A very easy wine to drink by itself and perfect to take to a social gathering.  Even the label (without authentic dribble) provides the impression of a well thought purchase and is definitely going to be the first empty bottle on the table.  The cheap Pinot Grigio won't even get a look in!

Malbec is native to France with Cahors associated as the location that produces the goods.  This grape variety has also been embraced by the Argentinians who produce phenominal tasting Malbec, particularly from Mendoza or Rio Negro.  Theirs is generally thought to be less tannic than Cahors, but retain a full bodied taste.   Buy a bottle of this and a bottle of Argentinian and see what you think.