Ever wondered what Malbec to choose in Tesco? Wonder no more. Ben Franks has tasted a handful of great value Malbec wines from Tesco to choose his top 3 – and there’s one brand that knocks it out the park.

According to December 2024’s WSTA market report, which is largely based on data from NIQ, Malbec remains Britain’s favourite red wine. It was worth a massive £447m in the 12 months to September 2024, an increase in value of 5% year on year.

Malbec became huge in the UK thanks to big brands like Catena and Trivento, as well as savvy modern marketing campaigns like Malbec & Steak – a food-pairing phenomenon that even inspired a wine brand: Beefsteak Club Malbec.

As more and more people message me for wine recommendations from their local supermarket, I thought it was about time I had a look at what’s on offer in Tesco. The UK’s largest supermarket continues to excel in the face of discount grocers and luxury rivals. I have a chequered history with Tesco wines; a mix of regretful buys and pleasant surprises. Nevertheless I have to admit I was impressed by the quality across the Malbec red wines I tasted. Moreso than I was in my Lidl red wine tasting last year.

Tasting Tesco Malbec red wines.

But which of Tesco’s Malbec wines were the best?

The runner-ups: a juicy, simple Malbec and a ‘triple oak’ reserve

Priced at £7.50 and £8.75 respectively, I can’t complain with the value for money on these first two Malbecs. The Finca Las Moras Malbec (£7.50, Tesco), which I described as a “no-nonsense, quaffable red”, is one to enjoy by the glass. Forget the fanfare of food and just unscrew the cap, pour a few deep glasses, and enjoy with friends. The lighter, juicier stlye might put off some full-bodied Malbec hounds, but it’s part of its simple charm and drinkability. Read my full review here.

A little pricier is the Trapiche Triple Oaked Reserve Malbec (£8.75, Tesco). This is a much fuller-bodied Malbec than Finca Las Moras’ entry, but it’s been a little overworked. Plummy-cherry fruit and sweet nutmeg is slightly overpowered by cheesy lees and tangy skin-contact tannins. The wine’s mealy in the mouth. That being said, if you wanted a decent full-bodied red with something like chilli con carne, the spicy-style of Trapiche is a good bet, especially at this value for money.

Ben selects his favourite red wines you should try made from the Malbec grape and sold at Tesco supermarket.

Without furtherado…

The top 3 Malbec red wines at Tesco

2022 Mendoza Malbec, Tesco Finest – The smoothest Malbec

£9.00, Tesco: shop online here. Great ★★ Read my full review here.

The nose of this Malbec is immediately vibrant. Its youth is not only clear from its deep purple rim but also in that aroma, like a blackcurrant you’ve just burst between your finger and thumb. Sweet vanilla backs it up in a soothing scent. The wine is rewardingly full and creamy on the palate, its tannins offering a soft grip that just prevents the whole experience from feeling flabby and jammy. Instead vanilla yoghurt, blackcurrant and chocolate come together in a sweet and fruity mouthful. Peppery-like alcohol is well balanced and the finish is plentiful and moreish. Tesco have knocked it out the park with this one.

Packed with dark fruits, spice and sweetness, this is a fantastic Malbec for ribs or grilled meats. It should also pair really well with mushroom linguine, especially if you can afford to grate black truffle over it.

2023 Reserve Malbec, Trivento – The best value for money, all-rounder Malbec

£8.75, Tesco: shop online here. Great ★★ Read my full review here.

This Malbec looks the part with its purplish tint and vibrant colour, even if it does swirl around the glass with a lightness that may disappoint anyone looking for a properly big Malbec. The wine smells like ripe plums and blueberries over sweetly toasted oak. The vanilla is fresh like a pod, rather than sweet and synthetic. All this continues in a rich, warming palate – but with it is flecks of black liquorice, lightly charred wood and pepper. The finish is smoky but fruity, soft but long.

Those ripe and sweet blueberry notes with the savoury-leaning char and liquorice make this more a match for tomato-based, heart-warming pasta dishes than a classic steak. This wine will go down beautifully with beefy lasagne, spag bol, or lentil bolognese.

2023 Reserve Malbec, Trivento – The best Malbec at Tesco to pair with steak

£10.50, Tesco: shop online here. Great ★★ Read my full review here.

Black-deep and purple rimmed, this is classic Malbec. Black cherry and plum with spice make up the nose. On the palate expect everything you want from Malbec: deep, rich fruit, grippy smoky tannins, sweet vanilla spice, and a warm, long finish. If anyone ever wants to find a ‘typical’ Malbec – the kind of wine that made this grape legend – this is an ideal pick. Very well made and satisfyingly full-bodied.

The tea-like, jagged tannins of this rich Malbec make it the perfect Malbec and steak pairing wine. Serve up with a ribeye, peppercorn sauce and thick cut chips. Veggies should plum for a portobello mushroom stuffed with stilton blue cheese and chargrilled.

So, there you have it.

I hope you manage to try some of these Malbecs, which are all pretty great value for money. When budgets allow, there’s a whole world of premium Malbec red wines to explore – but if you want to go on that adventure I’d always recommend popping into your local independent wine merchant.

For now, happy drinking!

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Let us know your favourite Malbec wines in the comments. Note that there are some affiliate links in this article to point you to online merchants where you can buy the wines. These links help support the running of this website. Prices were all correct at time of publication.