Discover the red and white Malbec that’s magic for summer picnics and barbecues

With the majority of our restaurants and bars remaining closed for a good chunk of summer, there are still lots of ways we can socialise as the days get hotter and the nights longer. Relaxing at home, sparking up a barbecue and opening a bottle of good wine with friends and family, whether that be in real life or virtually, will be the new going out.

One wine that can be perfectly paired with many summer flavours is Trivento Reserve Malbec, a wine that has quickly become a favourite among drinkers of the bold red. If white is more your thing in summer, and for many it is, Trivento has brought the first white Malbec to market. This might surprise many wine aficionados, used to the grape variety being synonymous with soft and fruity red.

Founded in 1996 by Chilean group Concha Y Toro, Latin America’s most famous winery, the idea was to build Trivento as a premium Argentinian brand and in the last 20 years it has done just that, with the brand now available in more than 100 countries worldwide.

The origins of the wine make it stand out. Grapes come from Mendoza, Argentina’s famous western wine growing region. 50 per cent of the fruit grows in Lujan de Cuyo where the oldest vineyards of Malbec are located, and 50 per cent from Uco Valley, the newer region, at a much higher altitude which is ideal to produce high quality wines. Both these regions are well-known for producing high-quality Malbec.

The name Trivento translates from Spanish to ‘three winds’: Polar, Zonda and Sudestada, and it is these winds that help create the perfect conditions for growing the famous grape.

The Polar wind is a sign of winter, indicating when vines should be pruned back, Zonda is a warm, dry gust that blows at the beginning of the spring season when the vines start to grow again, and the Sudestada of summer ripens the grapes.

The grapes are harvested in March each year, with a quarter of the wine aged for six months in French oak barrels before being aged for another five months in bottles.

Trivento has been one of the leaders in the Argentine wine category for the past 10 years, while its wine maker, German Di Cesare, has been recognised as one of the best Argentinian wine producers.

He talks us through both wines and some food pairings to go with them for summer.

Trivento Reserve Malbec

This is a soft, full-bodied wine with intense red colouring. On the nose it has notes of berries and blackcurrants as well as vanilla and coconut from the oak. This wine is low in acidity and high in tannins, so is perfectly balanced.

It is delicious served with grilled or barbecued meats, as well as pasta sauces including Bolognese. Malbec is the emblematic grape variety from Argentina, which is the wine of choice for barbecue in many households. This full bodied and perfectly balanced red wine is the best accompaniment for many grilled dishes, especially red meat or well-seasoned vegetables.

It brings out the flavour in most red meats, such as a tenderloin, lamb chops or roast beef, but also goes very well with smoked aubergine, marinated courgette and pepper skewers. It’s also very nice with a dark chocolate dessert, but is equally good drunk on its own.

What makes the Reserve Malbec stand out is that it is regularly recognised by experts as a great value wine, delivering excellent quality at an affordable price point. Since 2013 it has been established as the number one Malbec in Europe*.

Trivento White Malbec

The white Malbec was an innovative product that came from the 2019 harvest, and was launched late last year. The idea was to have a white wine coming from a red grape, which was a challenge as Malbec has a very powerful colour.

The white is close to salmon pink in colour, but with less intensity. Green apple and pears can be picked up on the nose. It has a nice acidity and with a blind tasting, it is difficult to recognise it as coming from a red variety.  It pairs best with grilled fish and salads, so get creative with dishes such as braised cod with garlic and lemon, tossed rocket with pomegranate or even a nice white chocolate pudding or fruit salad for dessert.

This variety is really worth a try as it both expresses a different, surprisingly fresh profile, while preserving the typicity of Malbec – bold, aromatic and versatile. It offers a refreshing, crisp and smooth experience that stands out from your typical Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio and is very nice served as an aperitif.

3 clever ways to enjoy Trivento with family and friends this summer

1. Send a barbecue set to friends and family, including some nice appetisers and a bottle of Trivento, and host a cook off, via video link.
2. Attach a label to a Trivento bottle to send  a "message in a Trivento bottle" to neighbours, thanking them, supporting them or inviting them to a barbecue in your garden when lockdown is lifted.
3. Host a physically distant barbecue for the allowed number of friends and family, and soak up the summer sun in your garden, while enjoying a bottle of Trivento.

[ trivento.com ]

*Trivento Reserve Malbec: (IWSR, Sales in Volume. Argentine brands origin in Europe. Period 2013 to 2018).