5 to Try: White Malbec

Malbec needs no introduction: The French grape with an expansive Argentine footprint is among the most popular red wines in the United States. The same can’t yet be said for white Malbec, a still-emerging style that transforms those dark-hued grapes into something golden, citrus-scented, and best served with a chill. The process entails picking the fruit early in the season, when it contains lots of acidity, then pressing the grapes immediately with little to no skin contact. “People are curious about it,” says Pedro J. Rodriguez, the co-founder and CEO of Grand Cata in Washington, D.C. “Everybody knows and loves Malbec, so when they hear about white Malbec, they say, ‘Whoa, this is unexpected.’” Here are five bottles to try—including one that Rodriguez recommends for its fall-to-winter pairing potential.

Argento Artesano White Malbec

Approachable and energetic, this Argentine bottle is just the thing to pour while watching the sun set during the last porch-friendly days of fall. It has bright citrus aromas followed by juicy fruit flavors like white peach, lime, pear, and cantaloupe. The long, tart finish has a satisfyingly minerally undercurrent that would pair with everything from grilled corn salads to smoky roasted squash or eggplant. The grapes are farmed organically in the Andean foothills of Argentina’s Mendoza region, which is home to some 20 percent of the country’s Malbec production. $22.97, vivino.com

Château Laur, Paradoxe de Malbec

Because Malbec is such a tour de force in its adopted home of Argentina, it’s easy to forget its French roots. This fresh, friendly bottle hails from Côtes du Lot, a region in southwestern France that produces more than 4 million liters of wine each year, most of it red. Best served cold, it is round and structured with grapefruit and lemon juice aromas, red apple flavors, and a bright, citrus-forward finish. The creamy palate makes it a good pairing for roast chicken or root vegetables, though you could also pour a glass to sip alongside a bowl of buttered popcorn and call it a day. $14.99, steves-liquor.com

Trivento Reserve Malbec

If you like an approachable wine with fruity aromas and flavors, this easy-going white Malbec from Argentina’s Mendoza region is for you. Expect notes of sugared strawberries, sweet cherries, and white flowers on the nose, followed by green apples, guava, and tart lemon juice on the light-bodied palate. While it’s not the most complex bottle you’ll ever taste, it’s an energetic introduction to the category with an accessible price point. Drink it well-chilled as an aperitif, or mix it into an autumnal sangria with diced pears, plums, and the last blackberries of the season. $8.99, totalwine.com

Valcan Cellars, Rogue Valley White Malbec, “Bare”

From Oregon’s award-winning Valcan Cellars comes this beautifully balanced white Malbec bursting with fresh lemon flavors and aromas, plus notes of grapefruit zest, rosewater, and tart wild strawberries. Owner and winemaker Juan Pablo (J.P.) Valot has worked in both Oregon and Argentina, and some industry insiders believe Valcan’s is the first white Malbec produced commercially in the United States. The wine’s long, tannic finish gives it complexity and immense food pairing potential—try it with everything from tamales to roast pork to kale salads. $24, vinoshipper.com

Vicentin Blanc de Malbec

Rodriguez endorses this barrel-aged white Malbec, which has ripe stone fruit and floral flavors underscored by spicy cloves. “It’s perfect for the fall and winter season because it has so much depth and texture from the oak resting,” he says, comparing its unctuousness to barrel-aged Chardonnays from certain corners of California or Burgundy. Located in the Uco Valley, Argentina, Vicentin was among the country’s first wineries to experiment with white Malbec, and its bottles are widely distributed across the United States. $16.99, winetransit.com