Malbec Wine Pairings: 21 Ideas for Appetizers and More

There are many outstanding appetizer pairings for Malbec. Think spicy, full-flavored, and on the rich side. A charcuterie platter with salami, Ibérico ham, Taleggio cheese, Manchego cheese, farmhouse Cheddar, and more is a great Malbec appetizer pairing. You could also indulge in mini beef empanadas, chipotle beef sliders, stuffed jalapeños, or beef-and-vegetable kabobs.

In addition to the options listed above, these are some delicious Malbec cheese pairings: Manchego, Taleggio, aged Cheddar, blue cheeses such as Stilton, and sharp artisan cheeses that include herbs. Avoid pairings with very mellow cheeses, such as Mozzarella or chèvre.

Malbec and pasta can play very well together. Be sure to pick a pasta that is rich and savory. Meaty pastas like spaghetti bolognese, baked ziti with sausage, and pastas with mushrooms and onions (in a red sauce) are all excellent choices. You can also pair with an artisan-style white Cheddar macaroni and cheese.

This classic Malbec wine pairing never goes out of style. This wine is a perfect match with beef, lamb, pork, and more. It’s essentially made for foods you can grill.

Pair Malbec with a juicy grilled beef steak, your favorite hamburger, roasted leg of lamb, pork roast, grilled pork, and even dark meat poultry like duck. Malbec has enough body to stand up to these rich foods, but its tannins and finish are slightly more mellow than a Cabernet Sauvignon. So, Malbec is a hit with leaner cuts of meat.

Despite its reputation for pairing with beef, Malbec can also be an attention-grabbing match for vegetarian cuisine. Try it with rich mushroom or funky cheese dishes. Ideas include: grilled mushroom caps, spicy bean burgers with white Cheddar cheese, spicy pasta with mushrooms, or crispy cheese crostini.

Dessert is tricky for Malbec, but the very determined can make it happen.

It’s difficult to pair dry red wines, like Malbec, with dessert because sweet foods usually taste best with sweet wine. Dry wines taste too sour and bitter beside a sugary dessert.

However, you can diminish this effect by choosing a dessert that has some starch and fat. Chocolate cake or cheesecake are both good bets for dessert pairings with Malbec.

French Malbecs are usually lighter in body, with aromas and flavors of green fruits, leather, and spice. As such, wines from this region can be paired with leaner meats and dishes with more herbal notes. Try rosemary-crusted roast pork or grilled chicken thighs with a garlic and herb sauce. Roast pheasant or duck confit would also work well.

The Malbec wine pairings we've already covered will work well for most Argentinian Malbecs. Think bold flavors, fruit, spice, and a little bit of smoke. Enjoy!