About Malbec

Malbec is a grape from the South of France. Because of its poor resistance to cold weather and pests, Malbec has never been a top French grape, but rather a blending grape used in many French wines.

In 1886 Malbec found its way to Argentina where a French botanist planted it by order of the mayor of Mendoza.

Argentine Malbec is different from French Malbec. (Smaller berries in smaller clusters). This suggests that the cuttings planted in Mendoza were a unique clone that may have gone extinct in France due to frost and epidemics.

Argentine Malbec wines have a deeper color and more intense fruity flavors and they do not have the strong tannic structure of the French Malbec.

The purple Malbec originated in the Cahors region of France. But the full glory of this rich grape was not realised before it was planted in Argentina.

Malbec is one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wines. It is a great alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah/Shiraz and also cheaper.