The debut of our section dedicat ed to your drinking pleasure.

Buenos Dias, amigos! Plaid Avenger here, fighter for truth, justice and the international way. However, in my off hours I have been known to take a tipple or two, and that's what this column is all about. Every month I will be coming at you straight out of 16 Blocks to titillate and tantalize your palette about a different wine region or wine grape or wine style that I have encountered in my international adventures. As they said in ancient Greece, in vino veritas...so let's get this game on! Let us uncover some wine truths!

Last month's hilarious hi-jinks found the Plaid Avenger deep undercover in the jungles of South America scoping out the Colombian army's invasion of Ecuador to shake down some Marxist rebel group. It was a FARC-ing good time to be sure. After I helped secure the release of some hostages ('cause that's what we super-hero types do) I packed up my alpaca and headed south down the spine of the great Andes mountains to check out some expressions of the southern South American super-grape: Malbec!

Malbec is the name of the grape, and therefore the name of the wine that is made predominantly from that grape. And what a wine it makes! Typical descriptors of this deep red to inky black wine include: ripe plum, wild violets, hints of cherry, with a soft silkiness even in young wines. This is simply super stuff! Malbec is the greatest grape of the region.

But wait: don't be confused by my construal: Chile and Argentina produce fantastic examples of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and even Chardonnay. So how can I pick this one grape variety as 'South Americas' Finest' red? Mostly because of this fact: it isn't really produced into varietal wines anywhere else! Malbec has no huge production areas or long historical pedigree in Europe, but man oh man are their American experiences exceptional!

Previously, Malbec was known only as a very minor varietal of Bordeaux which was used exclusively in small amounts as a blending grape; it is one of the 'big 5' grapes used in the Bordeaux blend, albeit in trace amounts...if at all. [Big 5 Bordeaux grapes = Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec & Petite Verdot.] However, much like Zinfandel is to California, Malbec has found a new home in South America...a home which suits it much better than old Europe ever did. This grape grows prolifically on the sunny slopes of the Andes Mountains in Argentina and Chile, and produces a rich, supple wine which would almost be unrecognizable to folks back in its Frenchie fatherland. It just expresses itself here better than anywhere else...

When you think of Malbec, you should immediately think of Argentina, Argentina, and Argentina. Malbec is definitely Argentina's premier wine grape. And Mendoza is the premier wine region of the country. Malbec is fast becoming a major grape of Chile as well, from which I have personally had some spectacular reserve versions. Look for stellar examples out of Colchagua and Maipo Valleys in Chile. The only 100% Malbec wine from Europe of note is from the small French region called Cahors (it is southwest of Bordeaux)...and it is always an inky-black-tannic-intense-needs-to-be-aged wine experience. A bit is grown in California and Australia, but again mostly for blending purposes. Stick with South America for your best bet.

I believe we will see more and more examples of Malbec popping up around the world, in direct correlation with the subsiding popularity of Merlot. In other words, Malbec may be the new Merlot! And that is an appropriate comparison: Malbec is already commonly referred to as, 'a softer, rounder little brother to Merlot.' I agree and disagree with this description. Malbec does have many of the plum, cherry flavors and aromas that Merlots do, and it is subtle, round and soft. But Malbec has so much more going on than the average Merlot does...

Well-crafted Malbecs exhibit smoothiness even when young, but the flavors are much more pronounced and integrated. They also have a degree of depth and character which is lacking in the ocean of mediocre Merlot. Malbec often has a rich, heavy mouth feel with a soft silkiness normally associated with lighter wines...which makes them kind of unique. And here's a heads up: With even a little oak barrel aging, even average Malbecs gain a backbone and complexity that makes them intriguing and delicious!

Here are a couple more Malbec bonuses:

1. Unlike its American brother Zinfandel, Malbec is accessible even in youth. Its fruity flavors and tannins are seemingly softened immediately upon the wine's creation. With the addition of barrel aging, Malbecs become even softer and silkier... and more complex. What a delight!
2. Because they come from South America, the prices are significantly cheaper! Sorry to all my Latin American cohorts, but you guys know it's true! Things are cheaper down there, and the result is that quality South American wines are much cheaper than equivalent quality wines from Europe, or even California. You can get some total kick-ass barrel-aged reserve Malbecs that are simply outstanding for 20 to 40 bucks. That sound like a lot to you? Go around the globe and see how much more quality wines that have significant barrel aging cost... you will soon figure out how sweet those South American wine deals truly are!

Great food wine too. Pancetta, salami, sweet hot or spicy sausage, grilled pork chops, grilled veal, Mexican dishes like beef tacos or burritos or chili rellenos; Cajun dishes like gumbo and jambalaya; pizza and calzones of all types; pasta and ravioli in meat, vegetable and tomato sauce; chicken cacciatore or chicken in mushroom sauce. Or just a big ol' rare grilled steak. This wine loves meat, from picnic cold cuts to sizzlin' hot on the spit. For the cheese freaks: pull out a Malbec with Asiago, Manchego, Azeitao, sharp Cheddar, Maytag Blue, or Iberico and go to work!

My good friends at the Vintage Cellar here in Blacksburg made a brief list of a few Malbecs you might want to mull over....

• Maipe Malbec 2007 (Argentina) $10
• Dolium Malbec 2005 (Argentina) $10
• Altos 'Las Hormigas' 2006 (Argentina) $13
• Alamos Malbec Seleccion 2006 (Argentina) $14.95
• Andeluna Malbec Reserve 2004 (Argentina) $15.95
• La Posta Malbec 2005 $18
• Familia Rutini Malbec Mendoza Felipe Rutini 2004 $19
• Luigi Bosca Malbec DOC 2005 (Argentina) $19.95
• Bodega Catena 'Zapata' 2005 (Argentina) $20
• Cedre Heritrage Cahors 2004 (France) $10.95
• Chateau de Gaudou Cahors 2004 (France) $11.95

Great Malbec wines, at great prices...man, I love Argentina and Chile more and more everyday! For you novice wine drinkers, if you want to sample high quality wines at a fraction of the European costs, look no further than our South American neighbors. And specifically their super-grape, Malbec! Vamanos, vamanos! Party on my friends!