Malbec Wine

Find out more about Malbec wine, one of the most popular types of red wine in Argentina. Today, Malbec is the most popular type of Argentina red wine. However, many people are not aware its origins are from the Bordeaux fine wine region in France.

History in France

This red wine was once a very popular red wine in the Bordeaux fine wine region. It was also popular throughout France with hundreds of different names for all the variations grown.

Throughout the years, France producers ran into a number of problems with Malbec wine. The biggest issue was that it was susceptible to damage from cold temperatures and frost. They also faced issues with mildew in the grape bunches. Due to these challenges, many producers began to replace Malbec vines with easier to grow red wines.

The largest hit for this red wine in France was in 1956. This is the year the Bordeaux wine region faced a major freeze. This damaged a large number of the Malbec vines and many producers used this as an opportunity to plant different varieties.

Even though the plantings are limited, Malbec wine is still a minor red wine type in the famous Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Sauvignon wine, Cabernet Franc wine, Merlot wine and Petit Verdot are the other red wines used in this popular blend.

Argentina's Love for Malbec Wine

Today, many people associate Malbec with Argentina. Its climate, particularly in the Mendoza wine region, is perfect for this temperamental grape. The grapes grown here are also hearty enough to create single variety wines out of this grape instead of using it only in blends.

Argentina has grown it for a number of years, but it was not always as popular as it is today. Producers in Argentina had challenges in the 1970s and 1980s when many Argentine wine drinkers switched to white wine. The producers did a lot to reverse the trend and it is now the most popular red wine in Argentina.

Other Wine Regions

Even though Malbec wine lost its popularity in many French wine regions, it is still the most planted grape in the Cahors AOC. This is a wine region in the southwestern part of France.

In Cahors, Malbec is known as Auxerrios, Cot or Cot Noir. It is the dominant red wine here and producers are required to use it as 70% of the wine in Cahors AOC wine blends.

Due to Argentina's recent success, Chile has also tried their hand at producing this wine. Their success has not matched Argentina but they sometimes use it as a blending grape with other wines.

Small amounts of it grow in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Producers in the United States grow some including Washington wineries, wineries in Napa Valley and wineries in a few other wine regions. Italy also grows a small amount.

Characteristics and Pairing Ideas

This red wine type has a deep red color. It is fruity and sometimes even a bit of a spicy red wine.

As I mentioned above, Argentina red wine producers typically use this as a single variety wine. All other wine regions listed above, typically use it as a blending grape with other red wines.

It is a medium to full bodied red wine. It pairs well with meals such as stews, steak or other heartier meat dishes.