The Malbec originally comes from France, where it is one of the 6 grapes authorized in the Bordeaux ‘blend’ (along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot & Carmenère). It was imported in to the South Americas in the mid-19th Century by French agronomist Miguel Pouget. In Bordeaux, it was widely planted up until 1956, when a freak frost killed about 75% of the Malbec vines (they are more sensitive than the other 5). Winemakers decided then to replant using the Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, which now makes up over 70% of the appellation plantings.
Malbec is still the grape of reference in the some other areas, like in the South-West with the most famous ones coming from the village-appellation of Cahors which makes great, deeply dark color robust wines. It is also called Auxerrois or Pressac in the region, or Côt Noir in the Loire Valley, where they produce lighter fruitful wines.
The Malbec adapted very well to the dry environment of the Mendoza Valley in Argentina, where it was used to make very simple wines. Now, however, winemakers can have access to very old vines (some of over 100 years old) and can produce stunning premium wines!
If you like Malbec, you may also like: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
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