Malbec World Day - April 17th

Are you celebrating? Here are some things you might not know about Malbec and wines that you may want to consider after reading this. Cheers!

Origins of Malbec - The Black Wine of Cahors

Lets talk about Malbec! Let's pay homage to its French roots. Malbec plantings in South West France were identified in 1868. Called Côt Noir or Auxerrois, it is still the main grape variety in the Cahors appellation (est. in 1971) which covers 45 communes with 21,700 ha planted. Malbec blends must be 70% Malbec and blending partners are typically Tannat and Merlot. A small amount of Malbec is also planted in the Loire Valley, here blended with Gamay and Cabernet Franc as well as Bordeaux where it was blended into France's most famous red wine export with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Malbec is less abundant in Bordeaux where after a severe frost in 1956, 70% of the plantings were destroyed. 

Malbec  - The Grape

The grape is thick skinned with smallish, dark berries that have concentrated flavour. UC Davis research has provided DNA findings that suggest Malbec shares a parent with Merlot and therefore many of its traits, Merlot being more broadly planted. 

In terms of terroir, Malbec prefers dry breezy vineyards that hold heat, ripening early to mid-season. Soils that suit Malbec includes limestone to clay and sand although limestone brings a special character. Threats to good production of Malbec include cooler climate frosts, coulure, downey mildew and rot which is  why a dry climate produces better results. Malbec from Cahor tend to be more tannic showing rustic savory character where Argentine Malbecs lean into lush and juicy with softer tannins.

Aromas and flavours range from red to black berry, cherry and plum often with hints of mocha, savory herbs and liquorice to oak spice. Efforts to capture the highest quality expressions of Malbec from producers in both France and Argentina will note "single vineyard" on the label.

Malbec & Mendoza

April 17, 1853 is the date Domingo Faustino Sarimeto reportedly began his research station in Mendoza bringing international grape varieties to Argentina. French agronomist Michel Pouget is also credited with Malbec's success in Argentina. By 1962 Malbec topped 56,000 ha of plantings.  That's not to say that turbulence from geo-political forces didn't interfere. In the 90s, Malbec was ripped up to make way for cheaper, high yield grapes for the production of local spirit and inexpensive domestic wine. The international  interest in high elevation vineyards that were dry and hot and provided a perfect home to Malbec continued. Plantings have tripled since the 90s. The rise of famous producers like Catena, Zuccardi and expressions coming from not only Mendoza (Luyan de Cuyo, Uco Valle, Mendoza) but also further north to Salta and south to Maipu have the world sipping and delighting in the many exceptional expressions of Malbec.

Top Producers of Malbec

​Favorite Producers Cahors
•Château du Cèdre
•Domaine de Cause​
Chateau Famaey 

​Favorite Producers Argentina
•Achával-Ferrer
•Catena Zapata
•Zuccardi
•Cuvelier Los Andes
•Bodegas Toso

Malbec & Perfect Pairings

If you are sipping a red wine from Cahors then duck is your dish. If you are pouring Mendoza, then look no further than Asada - the famous Argentine BBQ featuring meats especially steaks. How about a great cut like aged Rib-eye and Waygu 5 or 6. Whatever you choose, it's going to be a delicious and now informed  Malbec celebration. Next up - a trip to Mendoza. Stay tuned.