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Malbec is a red wine grape mostly grown in France, Argentina and California.
Malbec gave its name to a family of winegrapes from Southwestern France. It is a cousin of Tannat, Négrette and Prunelard.
edit Aromas
This grape usually produces full-bodied wines with high tannins.
Argentinians Malbecs are usually very expressive, fruity and generous, with a fresh soft texture.
edit Regions
Malbec originates in France. It once occupied up to 80% of Bordeaux vineyards and was widely planted in Loire Valley. Today, it is mostly planted in Cahors where it contributes to the intense and full-bodied red wines of that region.
Malbec has been extensively planted in Argentina, starting in 1968 when French agriculturist Michel Pouget brought it into the country. It generally gives better results in this terroir than in its native Southwestern France.
In Argentina, Malbec proved capable of sustaining great temperature variations, between cool nights and hot days, at altitudes up to 1000 meters.
Once covering 50,000 hectares, Malbec vineyards now represent 25,000 hectares in Argentina.
Another 6000 hectares have been planted in Chile.
It can also be found in California, in Australia and in Italy.
edit Viticulture
Malbec fruits are medium-sized and usually give richly colored wines with high tannins, that can be cellared for a few years before serving.
The date of harvest is crucial with Malbec. It must reach a certain maturity to avoid grassy, vegetal, bitter aromas.
In Argentina, Malbec takes a longer time to ripen due to high climate variations between night and day. This helps developing subtle tannins that give Argentinian Malbecs their typical soft texture.
edit Other names
- Auxerrois
- Côt Noir
- Cot
- Pressac
