Wine Grape Spotlight – Malbec
Malbec is a grape variety with a deep, inky color, producing dry red wines that boast robust tannins and a long, smooth finish.
Where is Malbec from?
Malbec was almost exclusively grown in France, where it played a primary role as one of the main Bordeaux grapes. The climate and pests in France did not allow for Malbec to perform to its utmost potential. Struggling to thrive, growers saw it as weak, finicky, and susceptible to disease as well as rot. It is mainly associated with Argentina and Chile now because it thrives there. It took well to the climate, excelling in the high elevation and heat, making it one of the most widely planted grapes. In the United States, you can find the majority of wine grape plantings in California, yet Malbec only makes up for 0.5% of those plantings.
Malbec Characteristics
This grape can yield a wide range of fruit aromas that vary widely depending on the climate they are grown in. Cooler climates like France and Washington state yield black cherry, raspberry, and plum aromas. For warmer climates like Chile, you’ll get more blackberry, blueberry, plum, and black cherry. They’re juicy and jammy, with notes of vanilla, tobacco, dark chocolate, and oak. They have medium acid and moderate levels of tannins. Chilean Malbec’s boast with red fruit flavors like cherry, raspberry and have floral and slight earthy notes.
Can I make my own?
Musto Wine Grape Company is here to help you make the wine of your dreams! The Spring Chilean winemaking season starts in late April, early May. Secure your Malbec and give us a call at (877) 812-1137 to speak with one of our Musto Crush Crew members. We can get you set up with everything you need and provide customer support along the way to ensure your success!
French Onion Beef Sliders
French Onion Beef Sliders
These French Onion Beef Sliders will be a huge hit with the crowd. Seasoned and buttery buns are packed with caramelized onions, melted cheese and flavorful ground beef to create the sort of appetizer that flies off of the plate.
What you’ll need
8 Tablespoons or 1 stick of butter
2 large sweet onions, sliced
2 pounds of ground beef
2 Tablespoons of beef base
1 Tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper
24 slider buns
1 pound of shredded swiss cheese
2 Tablespoons of sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon of fresh thyme
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
How you’ll do it
Melt 2 Tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
Add onions and reduce the heat to medium low, stirring occasionally for about 25 minutes or until the onions are lightly caramelized. If the onions start to dry out or burn, add a tablespoon of water to the pan.
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with half of the beef base and half of the Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
Add beef to the skillet full of onions, increasing the heat to medium high and brown the beef. Mix with the onions as you go. Drain off excess grease.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Separate the tops from the bottoms of the slider buns. Fit the slider buns tightly on the baking sheet.
Evenly distribute the beef and onion mixture over the bottom buns. Top with the cheese and cover with the top buns.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter with the remaining beef base. Stir in the remaining Worcestershire sauce, until well combined. Using a pastry brush, brush the beefy butter mixture over the top buns. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, thyme, onion powder and garlic powder.
Baking for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the tops of the rolls are lightly browned.
Serve and enjoy with your party crew, who will definitely snag these up quickly – and maybe ask for more!
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