Name: Fraunces Taverns Happy Hour Wine Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 bottle Escorihuela 1884 Malbec (bottle); 750 ml Red wine (substitute if bottle not available); 2 pieces Large red wine glasses; 1 piece Wine decanter (optional); 1 piece Wine opener (corkscrew); 1 cup Mixed olives; 150 g Cured meats (sliced); 150 g Aged cheddar or Manchego (sliced); 8 pieces Crusty bread or crackers

Pinot Noir, Purple Hands 'Lone Oak Ranch' 2021

Med Bag of Chips

Ham, cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, and arugula.

Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Sliced turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mustard in a whole wheat wrap.

Fit Turkey Wrap

Malbec - Escorihuela 1884 (Argentina) A blend of forest fruits, plum and cherry. Smooth and concentrated tannins in the mouth result in a long and firm finish with minor hints of oak.

Remove the bottle from cool storage and let it sit upright for 15–30 minutes at serving temperature (16–18°C / 60–65°F) if it has been chilled. This helps any settled sediment relax and brings the aromatics forward.

Inspect & Prepare Bottle

Use a clean corkscrew to cut the foil and remove it. Center the corkscrew in the cork and twist down steadily, then lever the cork out smoothly. Wipe the bottle rim with a clean cloth to remove any cork particles or dust.

Open the Bottle

If the wine is older or you want to aerate it for brighter aromatics and softer tannins, pour the wine slowly into a decanter in one steady stream. Leave any visible sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Let decant for 20–40 minutes for young Malbec to open up; for older vintages decant only briefly (10–15 minutes) to avoid losing delicate aromas.

Decanting (optional)

Hold the glass by the stem and pour a tasting amount (about 30–60 ml) first if guests wish to taste, then fill to about one-third full (120–150 ml) so the wine has room to breathe. Present the bottle label to guests if serving others.

Serve

Select large-bowled red wine glasses to concentrate the aromas of the Malbec. Ensure glasses are clean, free of detergent residue, and at room temperature. Warm hands should avoid touching the bowl of the glass to keep wine at serving temperature.

If serving multiple guests, pre-arrange glasses on a clean tray or table. Provide a spare cloth or napkin in case of drips when pouring.

Arrange mixed olives, cured meats, cheeses, and crackers or bread on a small board or plate. Bring these out before pouring so guests can enjoy immediate pairing. Cut cheeses into bite-sized pieces and fan cured meats for easy picking.

Taste the wine with each pairing to highlight different notes: olives accentuate savory earthiness, cured meat emphasizes plum and cherry, and aged cheese brings out the firm tannins and oak hints.

Escorihuela 1884 Malbec (bottle)

Red wine (substitute if bottle not available)

Large red wine glasses

Wine decanter (optional)

Wine opener (corkscrew)

Mixed olives

Cured meats (sliced)

Aged cheddar or Manchego (sliced)

Crusty bread or crackers

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Make Happy Hour Wine Recipe in just 30m. Malbec - Escorihuela 1884 (Argentina) A blend of forest fruits, plum and cherry. Smooth and concentrated tannins in the mouth result in a long and firm finish with minor hints of oak.

Happy Hour Wine Recipe

Descriptors

Tasting Notes

Food Pairings

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