Odd Pair: Malbec and Macaroons

French macaroons are fabulous. Not only are they the most perfectly glamorous little cookies in the whole world, but they are also amazingly delicious and decadent despite their light-as-air consistency. Currently, I am most in love with the chocolate, pistachio, and almond flavors that are available at Araya Artisan Chocolate (2013 W. Gray). I happen to find that they pair very nicely with Haak Winery's 2009 Malbec.

Texas wines are a fairly controversial bunch, but I find Haak's selection to be generally palatable. On a recent trip to the winery, I picked up a bottle of the Malbec, which I found myself wholeheartedly enjoying with my macaroons on a weekend afternoon. The dry depth of the wine perfectly complemented the sugary crunch of the cookies. Tangy and sweet, heady and airy, the flavor combinations danced in mouth and turned my day from ordinary to spectacular.