After trying a couple of Argentinian Malbecs recently, I turned my attention to Chile, another established Malbec producing country in the New World. Winner of the International Wine Challenge Bronze Award in 2017, Co-op’s Irresistable Bio Bio Valley Malbec is good vegan-friendly Malbec from Chile, for only £7.00.
The Co-op Chilean Malbec is Suitable for Vegans
Co-op Irresistible Malbec Review
Grape: 100% Malbec
Price: £7.00
Labelled Vegan Wine: Yes
Uncorked Vegan Rating: 8/10
Malbec from the Bio Bio Valley, Chile
One of the most southern wine-producing regions of Chile, the Bio Bio Valley wine region has been gaining attention over the past decade as a place of interest for winemaking and wine investment. A moderate Mediterranean climate means that it has a longer growing season due to cooler temperatures – which in turn makes it suitable for a variety of wine varietals, particularly aromatic whites such as Riesling and Viognier. Interestingly, Malbec isn’t a focus of the wine region; currently, the region actually focuses more on local red varietals; Pais, Yumbel and Mulchen.
Labelled Vegan Malbec from The Co-op
In the glass, it still exhibits the inky purple colour traditional to Malbec, but there’s more ruby-magenta notes. Compared to the Vinalba Argentinian Malbec I tried last weekend (read the review here), it’s not quite as fruit-forward; the nose is earthier, with distinctive smokiness to complement the rich black fruits. Cherry, plum and damson are prominent, and there’s a hint of something else; blueberry, or fennel, perhaps.
Tasting it offers, again, less of a fruit-forward Malbec than the Vinalba. Tannins are elegant, tart blackcurrant shows light acidity, and warming spice lingers on the finish. For £7.00 it’s a great value vegan red wine. It has a lovely texture, and the interesting oak, smoke and leather notes make it more interesting to drink than if it were a fruit bomb. Pairing it with food opens up the fruit flavours, too, so it almost feels like drinking two different wines! For this, I’d give it 8/10.
I hope you’re stocking up ahead of World Malbec Day on 17th April!
Jess.
The Uncorked Vegan 