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Malbec Information

Pronunciation – “mal-bek” When we hear Malbec, we think of Argentina, however this grape variety didn’t originate there. Malbec has a longer history, and it came from France. Malbec was grown for centuries in the southwest of the country, mostly in the appellations of Cahors and Bordeaux. The grape variety is also grown in the Loire Valley under a different name. Malbec actually has a couple of synonyms, most well known being Cot and Auxerrois. Malbec tends to be deep in color intensity and purple to red in color. The wines change color with age, however Malbec tends to start off with a characteristic color. Malbec is mostly used for red wine production. In the old world it tends to produce tannic, heavy reds in Cahors. New world style is more fruit forward, with a bit of chocolate aromas and a significant acidity level.

Malbec Tasting Notes

Wine tasting notes/flavor profiles Primary Notes – Black fruit (Black cherry, Blackberry) Blue fruit (Blueberry, Plums) Chocolate Secondary Notes – Oak (Vanilla, Chocolate) Tertiary Notes – with age develops leather, coffee, tobacco Body – Medium bodied most of the times, however it can be full bodied in Cahors Palate – Sweetness – Dry; Acidity – Medium; Tannin – Medium; Typical ABV% – 13-15.5%

Malbec Styles

Malbec is usually made only as red wine. In Cahors it is produced either as a single varietal red wine or blended with a bit of Merlot, in Bordeaux it is often used in blends on the right bank and in Argentina it is blended with Bonarda, also known as Uva Rara in Italy. It will always spend time in oak to ensure that the wine breathes a bit and to soften the tannins. The MLF happens when the wine is oaked and this will give characteristic butter and cream aromas which helps to soften the acidity a bit.

Malbec Classifications

In France, Malbec is mostly grown in Cahors where it constitutes at least 70% of the wine by law although many times it is produced as a single varietal wine. In the Loire Valley it is used mostly as an addition to blends, and same goes for Bordeaux. In Argentina it can be produced both as a single varietal wine or blended with Bonarda however there is no classification for Malbec itself, as it can be varietally labeled. However it is grown mostly in Mendoza and the sub regions of Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley.

When To Drink Malbec

Malbec can be an everyday wine but it can also be a wine that you can age and keep for a special occasion. When it comes to meat, try having it with beef, lamb, pork shoulder or darker poultry. When it comes to cheese pairings, go for funky and salty cheeses. Malbec Serving Temperature – Fahrenheit 64ºF (18 ºC)

Best Years To Drink Malbec

Now this does depend where the wine comes from and the producer, however most good Malbecs can go well past 10 years of age. The old world wines have more aging potential while the new world ones tend to age a bit faster.

Malbec Nutrition Facts

Malbec tends to have about 135 calories per glass with about 5-6g of carbs. In a bottle expect to have 690 calories and 30g of carbs at least.

Fun Facts About Malbec

Malbec originated in France, however Argentina is the biggest producer now. Malbec has a very deep purple color, but its tell in a blind tasting is the magenta tinged rim. Most of the time, you will see a lot of color extraction in tainted tears or legs on the glass. Malbec is grown at some of the highest altitude vineyards in the world.
Malbec Grape Information
Malbec Vs Shiraz
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Similarities Of Malbec & Shiraz Malbecs are a deep purple color and full bodied wines. Since the grapes are small and dark in color with very thick skins, the wine produced is a wine that has rich fruity flavors and … Read More

Malbec vs Pinot Noir
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Similarities of Malbec & Pinot Noir Malbec and Pinot Noir are both red wines, known for their lush, fruit-forward flavor profiles and smooth tannins. They are both popular around the world among wine enthusiasts, but they are both also considered … Read More

Carménère vs Malbec
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Similarities of Carménère vs Malbec Both Carménère and Malbec are red grape varieties that tend to produce full-bodied red wines that are deep in color with bold fruit and rich, concentrated flavor. They also have wonderful aging potential, developing in … Read More

Malbec vs Cabernet Sauvignon
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Similarities of Malbec & Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon originally come from the southwest of France, but both varietals have become ubiquitous in stores worldwide, and have become strongly associated with particular New World locations. Both of these varietals … Read More

Tannat vs Malbec
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Similarities of Tannat & Malbec Tannat and Malbec are both red grape varietals that remain relatively underappreciated in their home countries of France while enjoying great success in the more extreme climates of South America.  Both of these wines are … Read More

Merlot vs Malbec
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A common challenge that wine enthusiasts run into are distinguishing between Merlot and Malbec. Both malbec and merlot are dry red wines, although malbec is slightly sweeter than merlot. Merlot and Malbec are both fruit forward, and have notes of … Read More

Malbec Food Pairing
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Opening a bottle of Malbec is like driving on a road less traveled. Although Malbec is a delicious wine, it’s not as popular as Pinot Noir or Merlot.  Malbec wines are produced from a small purple grape variety with thick … Read More