“We’ve had our summer, that’s it.”

That’s what my Mother announced to my wirehaired sausage dog this morning as she snuggled deeper into her cushion and looked up with those gloomy puppy eyes.

For Chunky the sausage dog, rain means a day indoors because she absolutely detests getting a soggy tummy and I can’t say I really blame her. This week we are forecasted spells of rain almost every single day until things start to look up at the weekend, which means the rosé is temporarily on hold and red wine is taking prime position in my living room again.

I’m not adverse to this weather, it means I don’t have to water the garden and my back hasn’t quite recovered from the scorching it got while fishing in the warmer weather last week. From a riding perspective it also means the ground might get a bit softer which will be nice for the horse and also my derrière should I take an unexpected exit out the front door. Finally…the moderately chillier evenings make one reach for the red and if you’re after a good glass yourself I will be looking at a few this week.

It’s worth noting here that I am a sharer and I’m not drinking all of these bottles by myself, please don’t worry about my health.

Over the last few days I’ve been working out what I think of a Cabernet Malbec from Argentina. When my dear friend George Drain found out I was starting a wine blog, he asked for a good solid Malbec to try and I think this could be the answer.

Finca Los Prados

Cabernet – Malbec

Argentina 2015, 13%

This is a blend, 80% Cabernet and 20% Malbec so whether it counts as a ‘solid Malbec’ isn’t really that clear (sorry George.)

As Argentinian reds go, this is heavy but not as heavy as most which makes it seem almost light, make sense? You (I) expect a heavy taste because it’s strong on the nose and dark in colour but it’s actually soft and smooth on the mouth. This is apparently due to being matured in steel containers rather than oak…to take some of that depth out that not all can handle. Now for a wine term, this is a robust red, it’s full of deep blackberry flavours and although it’s not really a wine I’d reach for every Monday evening, it did the job.

It’s great value at £9.95 from The Old Bridge at Huntingdon.