CORK & CURD Benjamin Malbec, Nieto Senetiner

Benjamin Malbec, Nieto Senetiner

Katherine Dart MW has chosen this delicious wine to go with February 26’s Hero Cheese, Royal Basset Blue.

Benjamin was released in the Argentine market when Bodega Nieto Senetiner decided to extend the family portfolio, bringing youth and freshness to their range of Malbecs. This is classically proportioned Argentine Malbec with a fruit forward character and controlled alcohol.

Nieto Senetiner has grown to become one of the leading stars of Mendoza. Although the vineyards and winery were founded by Italian immigrants and date back to 1888, they were acquired by the Nieto and Senetiner families in 1969.

Malbec and blue cheese are a classic pairing and offer the perfect alternative to a sweeter or heavier fortified wine with blue cheeses. The match works because the wine's dark fruit profile, nodding towards plum and blackberry, beautifully balances with the salty and creamy intensity of blue cheeses. The savoury undertones of the Malbec also compliment the earthy, mushroom notes you find in the Royal Basset, while the creaminess of the cheese offers a lovely contrast to the freshness of the wine.

Wine available from Grape & Nectar.