Ever since Kara and I spent a weekend in Bodega Bay, I’ve been thinking a lot about Malbecs from Argentina.
Most all of them are made at Bodegas.
I’ve been sitting on this one for a while…
Bodega Norton 2010 Mendoza Malbec
Anyways…
The other day, I decided to make some carnitas in my crock pot.
While walking through the wine section at Trader Joe’s, I was thinking of a nice Riesling to pair with the spicy white meat of the pork, but nothing struck my fancy.
Then I was all, “I do have that Malbec at home. I don’t think it’s gonna go that well with the carnitas, but what the hey. I’ll give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?”
So I went home and put the carnitas together…
Pork Carnitas on a Corn Tortilla with Greek Yogurt, Hot Sauce, and Cilantro
I’m usually not one to toot my own horn, but…
Toot toot!
This was the bomb!
Tender, juicy, and spicy pork. Delicious earthiness.
Just great!
The wine wasn’t bad either…
Color: Dark red to black. Inky.
Nose: Oak, tar, raspberry, and blackberry.
Taste: There’s a good bike tire type of note that I always like. I like the play between all the red and dark fruits. Cranberry, blackberry, pomegranate, and black cherry for days. My only concern is the astringency of the tannins.
Score: This is a solid $10 Malbec. 88 points.
As good as the carnitas and the wine were, the pairing was awful.
The wine lacked the acidity to cut through the fattiness of the pork. The spice of the dish paired with the astringency of the wine tasted reminded me of a ripe armpit… Not that I’ve ever tasted one of those.
I’ve always heard that two wrongs don’t make a right…
But…
Sometimes, two rights make a wrong.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
Tags: Bodega Norton 2010 Malbec, Carnitas, Food, Mendoza, Pairing, Pork, Stay Rad, Wine
Stay Rad 
September 4, 2012 at 8:59 pm |
Always such a bummer when that happens. All you can do at that point is let the wine open up and enjoy it when the meal is done.
September 4, 2012 at 8:59 pm |
Good call, Jeff.
September 5, 2012 at 9:56 am |
Was it the tortillas and/or the heat that didn’t work so well with the tannins and/or dryness? I’ve also found some chardonnays like a La Crema style to work well with the savory action. I used and/or twice in one sentence, how you like them apples?
September 5, 2012 at 9:57 am |
Was it the tortillas and/or the heat that didn’t work so well with the tannins and/or dryness? I’ve also found some chardonnays like a La Crema style to work well with the savory action. I used and/or twice in one sentence, how you like them apples?
September 5, 2012 at 7:01 pm |
I don’t know who to respond to… Pecos or Pecos3779?
Anyways, it was the heat that didn’t work well with the tannins.
If you like apples, how’s about I _______ and then _________ you in the _________? How you like them apples? ; )
September 6, 2012 at 10:24 am |
oohhh madlibs! yay! smile, kiss, mouth. You sexy man.
September 6, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Love you too, baby.