Wine Grape: Malbec
Malbec is a red wine grape originally from the Southwest of France, but today it is probably best known in Argentina where cuttings from Bordeaux where introduced in the mid 1800s. Along with Petit Verdot and Carmenère, Malbec is one of the lesser-used grapes allowed in red Bordeaux. A freeze in February, 1956 killed a lot of Bordeaux's Malbec, which was replanted with Merlot. Today in France, Malbec is most successful in the 'black wine' of Cahors, where it makes up at least 70% of the blend with Merlot and Tannat.
Synonyms
Also known as Auxerrois, Cot, Côt, Beran, Beraou, Bérau, Bourguignon Noir, Calarin, Cahors, Caours, Malbech, Malbeck, Noir Doux, Préchat, Teinturier
Where
Argentina: Mendoza
France: Bordeaux, Eastern France, Languedoc, Loire, Southwestern France
Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Puglia, Veneto
Also: Australia, Chile, New Zealand, USA (California, Washington)
Principal Wines
France: Bordeaux: Bordeaux AOC, Bordeaux Supérieur AOC, Bordeaux-Côtes-de-Francs AOC, Canon-Fronsac AOC, Côtes-de-Bourg AOC, Fronsac AOC, Haut-Médoc AOC, Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC, Médoc AOC, Moulis-en-Médoc AOC, Pessac-Léognan AOC, Pomerol AOC, Premières-Côtes-de-Bordeaux AOC, Saint-Julien AOC; Eastern France: Côtes-de-Toul AOC; Languedoc: Côtes-de-la-Malepère AOC, Limoux AOC; Loire: Cheverny AOC, Coteaux-du-Loir AOC, Rosé d'Anjou AOC, Saumur AOC, Touraine AOC, Touraine-Amboise AOC, Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau AOC, Touraine-Mesland AOC, Valençay AOC; Southwestern France: Bergerac AOC, Cahors AOC, Côtes-de-Bergerac AOC, Côtes-de-Duras AOC, Côtes-du-Frontonnais AOC, Côtes-du-Marmandais AOC, Floc-de-Gascogne AOC, Pécharmant AOC
Characteristics
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Fruity (plum, raisin), Floral (violet), Vegetal (tobacco)
Palate: Full bodied. Tannic
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