Celebrate World Malbec Day April 17th 2015!

17th April 2015


When it comes to Malbec there's indeed much to celebrate and to enjoy; Originally the Malbec grape was most associated with the south western wine growing regions of France where it was also known under the names Cot, Cot Noir, Pressac and Auxerrois to name but a few of its many synonyms. Although well known in France it is the more recent renaissance of Malbec, in above all Argentina, that has resulted in an explosion of popularity over the past few decades of the marvellous Malbec grape.


In France this think skinned, deep purple grape is best known as one of the permitted blending grapes of Bordeaux and as a varietal used in the rustic, full bodied wines of Cahors where it is often blended with Merlot and Tannat but also nowadays is produced and celebrated as a single varietal wine.


A severe frost in the vineyards of Bordeaux and Cahors in 1956 killed off 75% of the Malbec crop causing a huge dip in the grape's usage and popularity in Bordeaux, however the wine growers of Cahors replanted their vineyards with Malbec, sealing the bond between the wines of Cahors and the Malbec grape for generations to come!


The New World spiritual homeland of Malbec is Argentina where it has flourished, forging a strong identity both for the Malbec grape and also for Argentinean wine as a whole. It was French agronomist Miguel Pouget, who had been employed to assist the Argentine wine industry, who first introduced Malbec to Argentina in 1868 although the particular clone of intensely flavoured Malbec he brought with him is no longer grown in France.


Malbec had been a somewhat temperamental grape to grow in the continental climate but in the dry, sunshine laden climate of Argentina Malbec went from strength to strength. In fact for a while Malbec almost became a victim of its own success in Argentina as although Malbec was easy to grow wine producers at the time saw Cabernet Sauvignon as the grape to focus on for future industry growth.


Fortunately a combination of the influence of the foreign winemakers arriving in Argentina from the 1980's onwards and the realisation by the existing Argentinean winemakers that they had the perfect grape for international wine success right under their nose, helped propel Malbec onto the world stage once more.


Key Malbec Characteristics


Colour: Inky blue black with deep crimson flashes, in the glass often displays a bright magenta rim.


Aromas and Flavours: Violets, plums, cherries, raspberry, blackberry, currant, blueberry, black cherry, damson, raisin, smoke, mocha, spice, chocolate. Vanilla aromas and flavours are often present but dependent on the time the wine has spent in oak.


Cooler climate Malbec displays more in the way of tart red berry and forest fruits flavours, green stem, savoury herbal notes and nuances of clove, tobacco, leather and smoke are also possible within a tighter structure. Warmer climate Malbec shows more floral aromas and dense, dark fruit flavours, generally these wines have a more velvety, lush texture in the mouth.


Style: Usually lower in acidity than Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon with a good balance of fruit and soft, smooth tannins. The concentration of fruit flavours is higher in Argentinean and New World Malbec whereas the wines of Cahors are more vigorous and rustic.


Food pairing: Malbec pairs brilliantly with a host of dishes from hearty steak, beef and leaner red meats to all manner of barbecue foods including barbecue sauces, marinades and sticky glazes as well as roasted vegetable and mushroom based recipes and those using cumin, sumac, thyme, paprika, shallots, green and red peppers, beetroots, lentils, umami and black beans.


Whichever style of Malbec you choose; from the brooding, swarthy flavours of the Les Volets Malbec grown in the FrenchLanguedoc to the luscious, black berry fruit layers of the Aconcagua Bodegas Eclipse Malbec from the famed Mendoza wine growing region of Argentina, this is a consummate crowd pleasing wine. A big hearted charmer of a red with hidden layers of complexity capable of winning over of even the most determined Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir devotee and with the barbecue season beckoning there's no better time to get to know each other!


Cheers, Sante and also Salud!

Quick Search

Basket

BasketYour basket
is empty

Customer Login

Twitter

Drink Aware
T Wright Wine Shop
 
© 2024 T Wright Wine - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions