Malbec may be Argentina’s national grape, but it’s America’s choice  for pairing with a variety of barbecued, braised, stewed and spiced meat selections.  From game to lamb and beef to brats, this rustic red grape varietal has got a lot to offer when it comes to handling a slew of spicy sauces, various ethnic edibles and the heavy demands of a backyard grill.

As one of the world’s most versatile, food-friendly wines with an easy to swallow price tag, Malbec brings an abundance of fruit character, smoke and spice and often a broad stroke of minerality to the table in a typically full-bodied, dry red wine.

We’ve taken some of our favorite Malbecs and paired them with our favorite Malbec-loving recipes from About.com’s culinary crew. From slow cooker lamb shanks to barbecued pulled pork and Italian-themed Tagliatelle with mushrooms and sausage to a classic barbecued Thai chicken recipe, there’s plenty of Malbec pairing adventure just waiting to happen – we’ve just taken out the initial guesswork.

Images Courtesy of Peggy Trowbridge Filippone and Kyle Phillips